The President was speaking this morning, something with which we share challenges. The moments in fresh air, the door swinging open under the clouds and fresh breeze was livening, But it was laid on top of the Production Meeting and the collective urgency to be doing some other things that need to be settled before Happy Hour and it was jumbled.

DeMille was prepared to accept a restaurant review instead of wry humor, which shows the state of things. The news about the peace- temporary or not- that may have arrived in Lebanon was sort of a pivot on the morning. We are hopeful that means the Houthi energy in Yemen can be channeled in some other way. Ahmed at the smoke shop on the corner is from there, so there is some local nuance to news if it is our turn to visit the shop.

The other Boomers were wearing their old ball caps on the Patio and attempting to understand the new calculus of rockets flying around Mittle Europe. Melissa had cautioned them to be respectful to all those who have legal staffs until there is some order in the transition, so it was all throw-weight, MIRV and production numbers out there with a drifting haze of blue smoke. Which had nothing to do with the mood that had lifted a bit with the news someone had stopped shooting at someone else. And be thankful for having been able to live in one of those high moments in social order and comfort for many.

Which is what Kristina is confronting with the local stuff, like the family that got hit in the crosswalk over by Doc’s office on S. Carlin Springs. Traffic is moving quick enough that a car got hit and then plowed into the family. The speed of things doesn’t bother Kristina, but the immediacy of impact does.

So, that turned the Production Meeting into something we could share on a write-off in the tax deduction DeMille is always anxious to give to the Finance Department. Which is Meat when he is not marketing and may need to lean in a little in negotiations. Which led to Thanksgiving.

We are a holiday bunch, of course, though have experienced some in places where decorations have to be minimized to reduce of attracting attention. So, the shared and unshared memories of the times that made us is special and we wanted to mark it in a way that meets our collective needs.

So, we are going to Mark’s Duck as an informal group of about seven. It is full-blown Cantonese, and have no idea how Mark got involved, since it is a busy and efficient place in which it is best to be prepared for harmonious action. It is a straight shot up RT 50 from the HQ at Big Pink, only a couple miles on the eight-lane, so it should be jolly, tasty and defer cleaning the kitchen.

Mark’s is a trip. We could do it on scooters, but it is in that wild junction of motion at Seven Corners in the middle of what is now Little Saigon, vibrant and alive. When we want things with great staff and friendly dim sum, we stop. But tomorrow we are going to go with the festive Peking Duck with dumplings, lobster, clams, roast duck, roast pork and more. We have a table reserved near the kitchen so we can get a look at fresh dishes gas they get brought out. And the dim sum is Hong Kong style, warm and efficient.

So, that is Thanksgiving on the Big River north of Tidewater in the Mid-Atlantic. Cool winds and rains coming through. People in motion. Dining in Asia. Hoping for change and for peace, you know?

Thanksgiving, 2024

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