Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving City Hall by Finijo

Marilyn and I started Thanksgiving in a misguided attempt to be helpful. We went to City Hall to help feed the homeless, but quickly found out when we got our volunteer numbers (2738 and 2739) that the volunteers outnumbered the people eating. I guess with the economy in such bad shape it made people want to be more helpful than usual this Thanksgiving. We mostly stood around looking for things to do. Finally, we took some trash bags out of the trash cans and went around table to table collecting trash after people finished eating. Quickly, other people got the same idea and we ended up competing with others to clear what little trash was being generated. We left after about an hour, because it just seemed pointless.

The lawn was strewn with volunteers just sitting around waiting for something to do. I think the organizers should have put a schedule up on line so people could sign up to be there at specific times and so they could gauge the turnout better. Maybe next year they will be more organized.

City Hall Tree by Finijo

We went to Mom and Dad's after we finished up our volunteer duties and had a really nice afternoon with them and cooked a light Thanksgiving dinner. It was a nice change of pace from the usual Thanksgiving day food overkill. Thank you Mom and Dad for a very good end to what started out as a bit of frustrating day.

Modesty

Modesty by Benjamin Shiff


I held on to this image for a very long time and couldn't find the right story to post it with. I finally decided I needed to just post it on it's own merits with a poem from one of my favorite poets, Rod McKuen.

Eleven

The afternoon shadows
gather as the day goes home.
And now the in-between time
before the night
after the day.

Above the gray harbor
the city sits on white houses
waiting for the happenings
and all the boats are in.

A wind is coming up
and we'll be warmer by ourselves at home.
I cannot look at you
reflected in the glass behind this bar
much longer.

I want to be alone with you,
I want my thighs to speak your name
so softly only you can hear.

This place was mad
for those who still play hide-and-seek
we're home free.

San Antonio Trip

Riverwalk Lamp by Finijo

San Antonio was a lot of fun. It was a quick trip just about 24 hours, but we packed a lot into that short time. We ended the trip with dinner at La Margarita's and a walk down the Riverwalk. It was a surprise to us that the Riverwalk is undergoing renovations, so we actually reached a point that we couldn't go forward and had to go back. Hopefully, they will finish the work before Summer.

Demon Trolley Ride by Finijo

Instead of walking back, we took a trolley bus and it was like taking the bus on in Harry Potter. The driver had been on the cell phone before we took off, and she seemed a little pissed off when she started driving and careening through the streets of downtown San Antonio. The only people on the bus were us and an elderly couple, who seemed like they had seen a lot in their time together and they were alright with each other and the world. They were unflappable in the face of our demented demon driver.

I have better shots (clearer) of the trolley, but this one looks the way it felt to be thrown around in the back of that bus while the driver worked out her aggression on the streets of San Antonio.

Halloween

I started Halloween at Little Barnaby's enjoying the comfort of friendly people and good conversation. The picture shown is of Scott (the manager) and Jay (one of our regular waiters). I love the familiarity of Little Barnaby's. I always feel like everyone is happy to see me when I come through the door. I spent Halloween night driving to San Antonio with my best friend. We filled our travel time with laughter and conversation and found out that we make good traveling buddies.