This is for those of you who did not rush to sign up for “The Russian Novelists, World Lit. 501” (one of my favorite classes):  Anna Karenina does not end well. So, if you are thinking of a jolly holiday film with beautiful snowy scenes and extravagant costuming, be aware that you are only going to get the beautiful snowy scenes and extravagant costuming, not a jolly holiday.  It’s a Russian novel, for heaven’s sake!

This post is not about the excellent new film “Lincoln,” (about which more in another post).  This is about what a small state Oregon is.  Here, we have one beautiful big city and several smaller ones west of The Cascades — this one, Salem, where I choose to make my home;  Eugene (often pronounced YOU-gene); and Corvallis, which roughly translates as “heart of the valley.”

Oregon only has two large universities — The University of Oregon in Eugene and Oregon State University in Corvallis.  Practically everyone in Oregon, even if they never attended either university, or any university, for that matter, align themselves with one or the other.  You have to be a Duck or a Beaver.  Especially on football days.  And today is the biggest game day of all — The Ducks vs. the Beavers in what has become known as the Civil War Game.   A local channel even has “Gone With the Wind” on this morning, pre-game time.

The University of Oregon makes some folks nervous because it has the reputation of having some free-thinkers there.  They wouldn’t allow their children to go there any more than they would send them down to Berkeley.  (Some of you will recall that all three of my progeny went to UC’s primarily just so they would be free-thinkers.)

Oregon State is a little less scary.  It was historically the ag school and was where boys were sent to be better farmers and girls went to marry them.  Times change.  Maybe more slowly in Oregon than some other places.

I went to Fred Meyer’s early this morning to get an ink cartridge for my printer and quickly realized I was not in the proper spirit of things in my un-color-coded attire.

Ran into Glenda who directs the children’s choirs at St. Paul’s, loading up her cart with the two-for-one teddy bears for her grands.

Here is Arlene, my favorite cashier.

And I have no idea who these people are.

And I’m sorry to report that I did not buy cupcakes in either school’s colors.

I may be the only person in the state today not tuning in to  the Civil War game.  I only follow football when my own Alma Mater is playing — The Red Raiders vs. Baylor today on ESPN.  I might switch over during commercials to see how the Ducks are doing.  They are my adopted Oregon team and I do try to fit in as best I can, but, right now, I’m putting on my red and black.

Roxie is watching out the window for her godmother and Jack to arrive.

Jack gives Roxie his full attention while Roxanne smashes potatoes and plates up her delicious salad.

Time to sit down and eat

Bring on that bird!

Finally!  Roxanne presents her pumpkin cheesecake with caramel sauce.

And a little well-deserved-post-prandial relaxation.  Where ARE those missing edge pieces??!!

I am thankful for good friends, good food, good times together.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Bargello, Florence, 2005

One year, we were at Sherry’s house in Del Mar and I taught Elizabeth to knit.  Since then, her ability has far surpassed mine. Most Christmases, I get a beautiful new pair of socks (hint, hint).