I'm Full (of Holiday Reflection)!

I'm not boasting. I'm bursting. That is, after all, what we are celebrating in the American incarnation of Thanksgiving. Ours is a land of plenty, where complaints about all we lack are set aside for a day.

I had two big meals today. The first was largely stuff purchased at the supermarket with a few special homemade dishes. The second was a vegetarian feast, entirely crafted from scratch. I liked both, and plenty of both. I grew up with Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and Chef Boy-ar-dee Spaghetti Dinner and Hamburger Helper. Not sophisticated in our tastes. I've taken on a slightly hautier worldview since, and my tastes have expanded with them. Yet, my comfort foods still frequently fall on the white trash end of the spectrum. Nothing wrong with that if it's not the staples of one's diet, and for me, it's not. Hence, my sleek and sexy bod! Writhe in envy, mere mortals. Scalloped pineapple, broccoli cheese casserole, meat-less loaf. Mmmmm...

At both gatherings, I felt at ease. I wasn't overtly feminine (God forbid!), but my more social side was at the forefront. I felt unencumbered by the man mask I was wearing. I was relaxed and making the quips that I'm known for, connecting with my people. Comfort food for the soul. Both meals featured folks that know my secret, my brother at one, my sister-in-law at the other. At both, I nearly made veiled references that they would understand at a deeper level, and that would've been okay with them, I think. But I opted not to, figuring the missus would also get it, and not be as amused as me. I wasn't censoring myself, just being thoughtful on a very pleasant day.

I have really enjoyed the somewhat bemused but kind writings of my non-American friends on this major holiday in our self-absorption pantheon. We are a puzzlement to the rest of the world, I think. 'Salright by me. Puzzle on. We intend to continue our weirdness, and I will try to do my part with aimless writing and the occasional picture in feminine raiment. Weird to the core.

Wherever you are, I hope it was a pleasant day with lots of familial affection, holiday or not.