Well, the sun finally came up. But I didn't fall back asleep. Oh well. Pool it is. I just couldn't face walking over there in the dark of predawn....

My guess would be a bandicoot

Wasn't there one of those in a video game?

Happy Thanksgiving, Americans!!

I forgot to turn off my alarm, which is too bad, since I don't have to leave until noon.

For those of you who don't read Facebook:

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I am thankful for my family and friends (who basically are my non-blood family) who love me, support me, teach me, listen to me and don't put up with my bullshit. And who laugh at my jokes. And sometimes just laugh at me!

I'm thankful for my darling husband, who geeks out over much the same things I do, GETS my more esoteric jokes, brings me Sprite and tea when I am sick, and puts up with my vile moods when I am on a deadline. And rubs my shoulders when my back hurts.

I am thankful for my bright, happy, imaginative (step)son M who brings laughter, fun, love and joy into my life.

I'm thankful for my M's mother, stepdad and little brother for encouraging me and my family to embrace M and allowing him to be a lovely addition to our family as well.

I am thankful for the house I live in, for food to eat, clean water to drink.

I am thankful for BOOKS, and for every author who has caused me to think deeply, feel deeply, who has transported me into the world of story, and created prose or poetry that causes me to re-read a passage or a sentence for the sheer joy of rolling around in the lovely shimmering words.

I am thankful for my talents: my mutant reading superpower, my ability to write well, my skill at analysis and my skill at giving (99% of the time) kick-ass advice.

I'm thankful for my former students, who taught me as much or more than I taught them.

I'm grateful for coffee, cream, lemons, chocolate. And bacon.

I'm grateful for my pets, who make me laugh and who cuddle on me when I've had a bad day or am sick.

Some days, I've very grateful for a nice glass of wine!

I'm grateful for kick-ass action movies and TV shows.

I am thankful that I own my business and make my own schedule, which has allowed me to work with my strange body clock and chronic insomnia, instead of against it, which has made me happier than I've ever been in a job before.

I'm grateful for technology and science, because it's endlessly fascinating and useful.

I'm grateful for nature, especially the Ozarks, where I have spent so much time reveling in its beauty and silence in the presence of the best group of friends a person could have. (Sometimes, the friends interrupt the silence, but I am grateful for the conversations and laughter I've shared with them.)

I'm grateful I grew up on a farm, and can be self-sufficient.

I'm grateful I got mugged and beaten, because as awful as it was, I know I can take care of myself in a dangerous situation.

I'm grateful for my ability to enjoy my own company.

I'm grateful for Buffistas and the people I know and love here.

I'm grateful for the times I have been rock-bottom poor, because I appreciate the value of hard work that earns money.

I am grateful for all the people whom I will never know who work to make the world a better places, whether it be through large works or small kindnesses.

I am grateful to be 40. I am am grateful to be alive. I am grateful to be myself, comfortable in my own skin — even when I step on a hairball in my bare feet first thing in the morning.

I am grateful for my my ability to fight fairly, and to listen to other people's point-of-view and to say I'm sorry and mean it.

I am grateful to be alive, and grateful that life is an adventure I look forward to living.

I don't need a certain day to be grateful, but today I am grateful for this quiet time early in the morning to pause and reflect on how very, very lucky I am.

And for all of you who have impacted my life, you have my gratitude and my love.

Happy Thanksgiving.

That is lovely, Strix.

Thank you, Anne!

Timelies all!

Going to Gary's mom's house for Thanksgiving, as usual. We're supposed to be there at 3, so Gary can do tech support for Mom. I'm bringing a book.

Bathroom cleaned. Floors mopped. Now I am at the gym on a bike. Forgot my headphones.

Happy Turkey Day you turkeys!

My work has moved some union jobs here to rural areas and most of the people in them have refused to be relocated (as is their right), and now HR has to find vacant positions for them or bump already employed people if they have less seniority. It's all very political.

So an offer for voluntary resignation w. severance was waiting for me in my email this morning. If I want to resign, I could get a year's severance (including medical benefits and life insurance), but only if there was someone to fit in my position. Since we currently have two vacant positions they could slide people into, it's not likely that it would happen, but I have submitted my name. Eeee!

Holy crap, Sue -- a year! That would be amazing. What an opportunity to figure out what's next.

Wow, Sue!