Sunday Salon...Nov. 25th

The famous purple tree at Zoolights

My husband and daughter bundled up for a brisk walk around Zoolights.

Weather:  We've had record levels of rain this past week. Today it is foggy and cold with the threat of freezing fog.  Miserable but typical November stuff. The afternoon ended up being sunny.

This past week: Was our Thanksgiving holiday here in the USA. We hosted 17 friends and family for dinner, eight spent the week-end with us. We ate, laughed, shared remembrances and stories, watched football and movies, enjoyed being together.

Red wolf to match the type of wolves at the zoo.

Yesterday. The family members, that were still here, stayed and watched the Civil War game with us (Oregon v Oregon State.) After everyone left, we cleaned the kitchen (again) and then put on our woolies for a fun evening trip to see Zoolights at the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma.  We haven't been to this annual event since our children were young. It has improved since that time.  We enjoyed all the lights and the few animals that we saw (seahorses, sharks, tiger cubs, and meerkats.) Check out my photos. It is obviously very colorful.

An illuminated Mt. Rainier is tallest point in the background. The foreground was a wall of lights.

Today:  We will put all the fine dishes away, strip the beds and wash sheets, shrink the dining table back to its normal size, watch a Christmas DVD (The Santa Clause), and deliver our daughter back to college.

Book(s) I've finished this week:

• A Certain October by Angel Johnson...another Mock Printz selection that deals with death, grieving, and friendship. Though it is well-written, I didn't think the characters were developed enough to really care what happened to them.
• No others.  Sigh. A slow reading week (Wonder why?)

Currently reading/listening to:  

• .Artistotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Saenz...the story of two boys who must learn to trust each other and allow their friendship to develop.
• Bomb: the Race to build, and steal, the world's most dangerous weapon by Steve Sheinkin...fascinating and frightening stuff. I was considering this as an addition to our Mock Printz list but think that teens won't find it that readable.

Scripture Lesson today: 1 Timothy 6:17-19...."¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

I'm praying this prayer: "God please give my friend comfort. Her husband is so ill with cancer. She needs your love and grace right now. Be also with her husband as he faces the challenges of serious illness. May he find comfort and strength in the promises of your love and eternal life."

From the kitchen: Leftovers. Mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, stuffing and baked chicken, since we ran out of turkey already.