Turkey Day – an American Tradition for hundreds of years. It’s a time to gather round the friends and family and reflect upon what we are truly thankful for in the past year … and to celebrate what the future holds. This year, Turkey Day is taking on a whole new meaning for my son and I. The day has just begun … yet the true meaning of “Turkey” is becoming quiet clear.

1. Turkish Behavior – I’ve been contacted by a looney toon rambling on about how CNN and other media giants have stolen his literary brilliance. He’s invited me to join him in conversation at his Yahoo! Group – schizophrenia.
2. Turkey-Mail – well technically it’s SPAM.  I received a job offer today from Dove Fabrics, Inc based out of the UK.  It sounds rather promising – and quite simple.  All I have to do is open up a bank account and wait for wire transfers to be made.  I skim … errr … pay myself a 10% commission and then forward the remaining funds BACK to Dove Fabrics.  All they need is my real name, address, phone number, DOB, Banking Institute {name only}, and my current occupation.
3. Birds Of A Feather – it is true – they DO flock together!  Last week we were told by the local newsies of a Cormorant problem at Lake Eola – downtown Orlando.  The park officials were trained specially to get rid of them .. by firing harmless fireworks at the birds.  It seems to have worked .. as all 100 of the Cormorants are now swimming around the pond at my house.  While they are beautiful funny creatures to watch … and it’s truly a National Geographic moment to witness their behavior “in the wild” .. I do hope they move on to another locale before polluting our little beauty of a pond.  {you can see an early morning video of the birding activity on the main page if you wish to see}
4. Traditional Dinner …. has been thrown out the door.  The son does not particularly care for Turkey or all the fixings.  For years he’s suffered through the meal having one large heaping of mashed taters with gravy … and that’s about it.  He has decided to have Cheese Fondue with all the dippings.  We’re starting a new tradition!
5. Let there be Peace On Earth – unless you’re my neighbor across the street.  He’s picked this morning to do his lawn work.  I guess if it’s the only day off he has to do it … well .. I can’t blame him.  But really, we’re all enjoying the sounds of silence!  There are literally hundreds of birds around the pond today – is it necessary to scare them all away at the same time?

OK – I’ll be serious this one time!!  {You do realize I was being sarcastic above – don’t you?}

I am truly thankful for several events that have happened this year.  I’m thankful that the son got in to college, and while off to a bumpy start, he seems to be pulling through the worst of the Freshman blues.  I’m thankful that I do not have cancer, while the whole situation seems so unnecessary when I look back, I am thankful that the incident brought my parents out to Orlando for three weeks.  I am thankful that I seem to have found my way in life … while perhaps the original dream will never come to fruition … I do have a new direction to head towards and I don’t feel so completly lost as I have the past two years.

Here’s wishing each and every one of you a Bountiful Thanksgiving feast – full of laughter and love.  Make the most of it .. even if it’s just the two of you.

Happiest of Thanksgiving wishes to you!

{let the Black Friday insanity BEGIN!}

ETA:  along with the Cormorants, this afternoon we have been visited by 10 vultures, a Great Blue Heron, a regular white Heron, Brown Ducks, Warbling Veros, Brown Birds {at the feeder!!}, sea gulls, Sand Pipers {big and small}, finches {at the finch feeder!!!}, a Red-Shouldered Hawk, AND an AMERICAN BALD EAGLE {I kid you not!}

From my sister in the Seattle area:

Hello friends & family!

I wanted to let you know that I have my very first Art Show opening this month during the upcoming University Art Walk! I have been ‘playing’ with photography and collage for many years and finally got up the courage (with the help of my good friend and sculptor, Keith Waters) to show my work to the art coordinator for the Walk. My work will be shown at Twice Sold Tales – a really neat little bookstore in the U District. There won’t be a reception at the bookstore but I will be in the area between 5pm and 9pm and if you let me know you’ll be there I’ll be sure to come meet you and show you around!

The link for the web page is: http://www.udistrictchamber.org/ArtWalk/ThisMonthParticipants.html (cut and paste into your navigator bar) and if you scroll down to Twice Sold Tales you’ll see my bio!

I really hope you can stop by and check it out!

Blessings – Kirsty

University Art Walk

photography & collage by Kirsty Sawasky
August 15, 2008
5pm – 9pm
(work will be up for approximately a month)

Twice Sold Tales
4501 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
206-545-4226