puppetmaker | Happy Thankgiving 2010

Today America gives pause and gives thanks for the bounty that they have received. Abraham Lincoln created by the national holiday in 1863. The current date was set by congress and signed into law by FDR in 1941.

My traditions for the holiday are rather simple watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and eat Turkey for dinner. Those two things and my holiday has been a good one. This year we are having a small dinner at home. Peter is great at making the turkey so that’s his job. Ariel and Caroline make the dessert. I make all the side dishes for the dinner and get the table ready for the meal.

Another tradition of mine since I started this web log was to sit down and express what I am thankful for. So in keeping with that tradition, here is this year’s list.

I am thankful for a roof over my head, food in the larder, and a car that works most of the time.

I am thankful for my family both by blood and by extension. I have a pretty cool family. I know I am very lucky that I get along with my brothers and sister, have a good relationship with my parents, and with my in-laws. Then there is my extended family which are from a lot of different parts of my life.

I am thankful for the writing opportunities I have. This year Peter and I wrote a short story in anthology which saw print and a Ghostbusters comicbook. I named an alien in Ben 10 Ultimate Alien. And there were a couple of things that I did that I can’t talk about yet.

I am thankful for all the creative opportunities I have. I got to take another doll making course with Wendy Froud which is always fun. I participated in dolls swaps and other creative exchanges with artists. I have helped other artists solves various problems over the year. Some people come to me because they want to pick my brain on how to do something.

I am thankful for my friends. I have one friend for over 40 years now who is still one of my best friends on the planet and I know that’s a long time to stay friends but we have through thick and thin. Through Peter I have a new set of friends who have become very dear to me. Then there are my theater buddies who I met through my adventures as a stage manager.

I am thankful for travel. We do a lot of it and get to go to some pretty cool places. We meet interesting people and have a lot of fun.

I am thankful for all of you who read my ramblings over the years. The writer never knows how their words will be received but y’all have been great about giving me feedback on what I am writing and I really appreciate it.
I am grateful for all that I have to be thankful for.