Love reading Natter and just caught up on the posts finally after being 3k posts behind up until last week. Since I quit FB and Insta for a while, I’m glad I can still catch up with people here a bit although I read far more than I post. I feel a little self-conscious jumping in without meara-ing but I usually ready 1-2k posts in sittings over a few weeks and by the time I’ve gotten to the end of them, a meara seems pointless because it’s weeks after whatever has happened has happened.

TL;DR I read every word (and care about y’all) even if I don’t comment!

Pix, I’m so sorry to hear your mom couldn’t make the trip. Glad to know her cat is okay tho.

I had long been planning to be out of the country for Thanksgiving but the last few trips I’ve had have been nightmares coming and going thanks to airport and airplane shenanigans so at the last minute I decided to have a staycation this week. It’s been glorious. I’ve gotten a ton of stuff done, including setting up my home gym downstairs (nothing fancy - the elliptical I bought from the previous home owners, and a nice bench and weights) and a freeze dryer. But more than anything I made the downstairs a place I don’t HATE anymore with new storage space and a couple of coats of paint.

Thanksgiving was delightful since I was lucky enough to be included in Jess and Ethan’s family Thanksgiving. Like you, Pix, Jess expected more people. But in the end it was J&E and the “kids” (A is in high school and D is in college). And let me tell you, what a delicious night that was! Fantastic meal and really nice conversation.

Then Friday, Vortex and I met half way for lunch (and post lunch coffee) and it reminded me that we need to see a lot more of each other! And so in 2026 I’ll be headed to Hartford, you can count on it.

Nilly, so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. May her memory be a blessing.