Live, from sunny southern California....

And Our Hero checks in from the Kid Brother's abode in the aforementioned not-very-secret location; turkey, I am told, should be out of the charcoal grill and ready in something like an hour. (The Kid Brother does this "indirect grilling" thing, which produces a spectacular smoke-roasted bird. There will be ten at dinner, comprising three groups -- the Kid Brother and family (four, including my incredibly cute six-year-old niece and my incredibly powerful almost-four-year-old nephew), the Northern Contingent (three, comprising myself and the parental units), and the Local Contingent (three, comprising my sister-in-law's brother and their parents).

All is about as calm as it gets with toddlers in the house and a traditional Turkey Day feast in preparation, under the eyes of the Kid Brother (who is an extremely good cook at need).

I'm very thankful this year not only for having family around me, but also for having considerably more freelance work in hand than has been the case for awhile, and for opportunities to hang out with friends seen all too rarely (a good visit with christymarx Tuesday evening en route south).

More when I'm home again, which is to say Monday night or so.

Live, from sunny southern California....

And Our Hero checks in from the Kid Brother's abode in the aforementioned not-very-secret location; turkey, I am told, should be out of the charcoal grill and ready in something like an hour. (The Kid Brother does this "indirect grilling" thing, which produces a spectacular smoke-roasted bird. There will be ten at dinner, comprising three groups -- the Kid Brother and family (four, including my incredibly cute six-year-old niece and my incredibly powerful almost-four-year-old nephew), the Northern Contingent (three, comprising myself and the parental units), and the Local Contingent (three, comprising my sister-in-law's brother and their parents).

All is about as calm as it gets with toddlers in the house and a traditional Turkey Day feast in preparation, under the eyes of the Kid Brother (who is an extremely good cook at need).

I'm very thankful this year not only for having family around me, but also for having considerably more freelance work in hand than has been the case for awhile, and for opportunities to hang out with friends seen all too rarely (a good visit with christymarx Tuesday evening en route south).

More when I'm home again, which is to say Monday night or so.