My mother has created a Japanese inspired garden which occupies most of the grounds surrounding their home. I find beauty here even in the months where most green things have long since disappeared. This suspended rock is helping to train the branch from which it hangs into a more earthward posture.
Jeanine and I went for a brisk walk on the grounds of Union College, where I studied for my undergraduate degree in electircal engineering. Nott Memorial is the photographic icon of the school and although I have done so many times over the years I could not walk by without capturing another image of this beautiful structure.
There is a lot to be thankful for in the Calabria family and we celebrated our good health and happiness with the fruits of our labor. Failure to remember to bring my tripod prevented me from joining the photo. Also absent are my brother Mark and sister Mayela who celebrated with their families in Minnesota and North Carolina respectively.
Maya and cousin Rachel produced the dinner rolls which were very tasty and disappeared quite rapidly.
The men in the family also seek to be helpful. Here Kyle, Nico, and cousin Johnny contemplate a bowl of raw potatoes believing that enough time spent in this endeavour will produced the creamy smooth mashed version that will grace our table this evening. In truth, the boys were very helpful and did the lion’s share of clean up duty. My only contribution to the meal was the mashing of said potatoes, the mindless, repetitive task being well suited to my culinary talents.
It is not to say that the men in the Calabria family do not cook but on Thanksgiving morning the kitchen is the domain of the women. We are a family of food traditions and with each marriage have integrated a new culinary element into our family feast.
Despite the fact that my father has spent more time writing (books, poems, essays and short stories) since his retirement from teaching than anything else, there does not exist a single photo of him in the act. That situation has now been rectified and I have a nice series of him at work in his study. We are in Schenectady for the Thanksgiving holiday with my parents and sister Alissa’s family.
Today I arrived home to find pies everywhere. Thanksgiving time finds Jeanine in the kitchen usually cooking with friends and always creating food for the soul.
This evening after dinner the kids all gathered around the computer and collaborated on a Garage Band musical composition. The result was outstanding. Even better was the interaction and cooperation they demonstrated while creating their master piece. Every once in a while we get the idea that maybe this parenting business is working out.
This morning the Concord United Over 40 soccer team competed for the Division 1 championship. This was my team before moving up to the Over 50 squad last season. I was happy to photograph the match when asked although the 18 degree air temperature with sub zero wind chill added to the challenge. Concord scored first to take the lead mid way through the second half. Acton-Boxborough equalized off a direct kick, pictured here, to force a penalty kick shot out which they won. the full set of photos can be seen here. Kyle was also in action at the same soccer complex tying his first game and winning the second decisively.
Jeanine and I were proud of our little dog who studied diligently in preparation and was undaunted by the audience of several hundred town residents.
Maya’s team name was the Perfect Puppies. They were perfect through 8 rounds and stumbled on “recitation” finishing in second place.
This evening Maya participated in the town wide spelling bee with teammates, Sarrinagh and Lydia.
Last night after a nice dinner with fellow board members at a sushi restaurant I drove through Monument Circle on the way back to my hotel. The Indianapolis Power & Light building was lit up in patriotic fashion as is the custom. Next week the lights which are strung from the peak of the war memorial will be illuminated forming the world’s tallest Christmas tree.