What has four legs, three ears, and walks in two different directions at once? How did you KNOW?! Yes, it's the Houstons! John and Gwen came to our house for Thanksgiving and we had a wonderful, hilarious time with them! (Actually, they seem to have the usual four ears, but John doesn't hear so good out of one of them--though it COULD be a very convenient little, um, device he uses to, well, pick and choose when he listens to, uh,... we'll probably never know, for sure)
We were SO pleased and honored that they chose to come the 600 miles, or so, to Grass Valley to be with us! All of the kids in each of our families were either very far away or otherwise occupied, so it was an intimate affair with just the four of us. Gwen had not, yet, had a chance to see where we'd landed after leaving San Diego (John had been here for the backpacking adventure) and the curiosity was palpable from here.
The best flights they could find, dropped them into the San Francisco airport, so they rented a car, drove the 150 miles from there, and, several phone queries later, arrived late Wed.eve. at our humble abode, looking mahvelous, Gwen's bird-of-paradise next to John's dusky warbler. Somehow, I had uncharacteristically managed to have the Big Feast organized well enough to allow us all to enjoy conversations and even a pre-meal walk together, without having to divide into the traditional cooking team and TV team. Gwen was able to begin her survey of our entire library, magazine collection, and the cherry-picking of interesting recipes from the cookbook shelves (so much to do! so little time!). She scored big points with me for actually ASKING for, and wallowing in my Andy Goldsworthy book collection. And she only rearranged a few of my decorative elements--I'm so glad she caught them! They disappeared, briefly (together), into town and returned with the most gorgeous orchid centerpiece for the table! Wow! So perfect! It might even last until Christmas! We laughed (mostly at Gwen) and caught up on each other's kids and ate up a storm! There was time, after, for a DVD they had brought with them (Painted Veil) about which there were more opinions than movie-watchers, at the end.
Friday, Gwen, John and I journeyed to Sacramento (Tom a bit of work to catch up on) to be tourists for a day. Which destinations? In what order? Where to park? How much time at each location? How to experience each destination? Where and when to eat? All I know is, that without my uttering more than just a few words the whole time (it was like stepping out to cross a very busy street), every question posing many sides, a tentative compromise was eventually reached (often with great drama) on each one, and that, almost never, was the strategy eventually implemented.
Somehow, we all saw 1. The Crocker Art Museum (location of beautiful Christmas tree), 2. The State Capitol, and, 3., The Railroad Museum, and ate lunch in between. Typically, we would walk in together, John would (very generously) get the tickets, and in the next blink, I would be standing there, ready to follow the Plan, alone. Example: Gwen finds the gift shop as though it releases pheromones. I eventually find Gwen, and, by the time John finds us, he's seen the whole place. Basically, we each experienced each location as single entities, somehow linking up at the end. But it was fun! And funny! Lunch was a scream. Walking to a shopping Mall (are they ALL Westfield Shoppingtowns, now?), John stated a strong desire for soup (to soothe a jumpy stomach). Inside, while he and I are looking at the directory for the food court, Gwen has disappeared. A few feet behind us, she had bought her lunch, already. John and I head upstairs, looking for soup. I look away. Next I see him, he's eating Korean barbeque. Eventually, we sat together for a minute, as I arrived with my lunch (I chose the same as Gwen--just not at the same time). It works! We had a blast!More turkey and A Bug's Life in the evening (plus some quick nature-video to show off our HD), and we were ready to turn in.
After breakfast, Saturday morning, they moved on, wanting to see a bit of San Francisco before hopping the plane pre-6am Sun.morn--but, WHICH bit was still in question (no kidding, though, in one of several quick phone conversations we had with them in transit, the DeYoung Museum had been the "final" decision--but, well, let's just say, I wouldn't stake my life on their having gotten near the place). Our house, meanwhile, had become way too quiet and boring after their departure. We're still adjusting.So, for us, at least, it was a wonderful and memorable Thanksgiving! Like having a houseful, somehow! Thank you, John and Gwen, for your visit and your friendship (and the fun along the way)! Gobble gobble!
