It is part of our family tradition at Thanksgiving that as we gather to eat, each person (beginning with the youngest) states something for which he is thankful. Although I am not the oldest every time, I am last, which puts me at the disadvantage that all the easy things have been taken. However, I have much for which to be thankful this year. The new furnace is working, the new car passed inspection, and the family is all healthy enough to gather with our houseguests for another celebration.

Let me apologize to our Canadian friends and any from abroad for missing their appropriate holidays this year, and then say to all those in these United States:

–M. J. Young

The heat is on, in more ways than one. John is here, ready to start working on tomorrow’s feast; the furnace was installed this morning sometime, and seems to be fully functional just as we are headed into our first brushes with zero celsius weather out here. the new car went through inspection with flying colors, and I’ve already gotten word that kids are collecting for the purpose of descending upon us. I even got to the store to buy the extra dinner plates I knew I would need.

However, I am already tired, and there are still multiple tasks ahead. I might have gotten an hour of fitful sleep before rousting the youngest for school this morning, and then maybe two more hours before the banging of workmen in the basement (admitted by John, who rarely sleeps and drinks coffee abundantly) moved me to the living room, where I think I slept again for another hour before beginning a very disrupted routine. The boy missed the bus going in and coming back, and I couldn’t find him when I went to get him. The home hostess has planned to make pies when she gets home from work tonight, and needs me to pick up a few things not previously mentioned. My neck is sore and my eyes heavy, but I’ve got work to do if things are going to work tonight.

In the midst of this, I’m still working on the regular work. It’s not really too late, all things considered.

In case I do not get back here tomorrow, and also for all those Americans who do not, Happy Thanksgiving.

–M. J. Young

We knew in the spring that the furnace fan was going to have to be repaired or replaced, but we’ve been delaying the expense.  Much of today has gone to dealing with heating repair specialists, who have reached the conclusion that they can’t fix it but must replace it.  That’s an expense we did not need, but can’t really ignore.

There’s not much else to tell, though, so I’ll turn my attention to work.

–M. J. Young