[Gathnet] Thanksgiving at St Louis Gathmans

[Jonathan Gathman]

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  May we always remember to whom we should  
be giving thanks!

   To those who hadn't heard, we did a little bit different  
Thanksgiving day this year.  This is because Jacqui's family, with  
whom we normally spend thanksgiving couldn't all get off Thanksgiving  
week (ce la vie, medical related professions).  Therefore, we had the  
whole Turkey and trimmin's thing last weekend.

   Today, we didn't feel like a repeat, so we decided to do something  
totally different.  As usually, I still have a bit of brush and some  
old pine logs that I can't burn in the fireplace, so we had a nice  
BonFire.  We cooked Hot Dogs and had toasted Marshmallows (twice) and  
s'mores.   Probably not your typical Thanksgiving, but certainly falls  
into the "Carpe Diem" frame of mind.

   Of course, with the logs to burn it took a long time to burn, and  
given the amount of woods we have, and my burning pit is actually in  
the woods, I felt the fire needed constant supervision.  After it had  
died down a bit, (but still hot), I did some log cutting for the  
"real" fire (fireplace) in the vicinity, but for the most part, I hung  
out there for about 10 hours.

   After dark, when it got cooler (mid-day was about 54), it was  
really very nice next to the fire.   We told what we were thankful  
for, and Jacqui read from a book she's been reading to them (She reads  
at lunch everyday too, I understand).

   Later, when we sent the kids in, and thus, it was quieter, we heard  
a bit of not-so-stealthy stomping around in the leaves on the hill  
nearby.  I had a "Spot Light" flashlight, and sure enough, when I  
shined it out, there were greenish-blue pairs of dots shining back.   
Actually, 3-4 pairs.  I guess the deer like to sleep in this part of  
my yard, because of some of the bushes that still have some green  
leaves still (it's frosted several times).  They actually came down  
the hill, and would have, I believe, poked their heads into the  
firelight, they were so close, but just then, Lauren called to say the  
boys were scrapping, so they retreated.

   Anyway, finally, it died down mostly, and after carefully dousing  
with water until cool, I went inside to.... start the fire... (It will  
be cold tonight, so need the wood stove going tonight...)

  ;)

  Anyway, I'm wondering if I'll need to take a shower.  I smell pretty  
heavily of pine smoke, which is actually pretty nice.  I suppose I  
should consider making it a cologne, but I'm not sure Jacqui would  
appreciate in reality.

   Good nights, and again, Thanks be to God for His unspeakable Gift! :)


Jonathan Gathman
jonathan at stl.gathman.org