“Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.” – Seneca

November 30, 2019

Kathy, Kali and Michael

Caitlin

Kali

“Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.” – Seneca

Thanksgiving week is always a busy one for us and this year seemed even more so as we returned from the weekend at the Miami Book Fair and had our friend Kali in town visiting fresh off her appearance at the Book Fair and her being named a finalist for the National Book Award last week in New York City. Kali was returning to Key West, where she lived for about a year a few years ago and a lot has changed in a good way for her since her departure.

Emily, Michael and Kali

Kali 

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Kali and Judy

She was back this week to do a reading and book signing at the Key West Library for her award winning collection of short stories “Sabrina and Corina and was staying with us for a few days before heading home to Denver for Thanksgiving. Even though we had seen Kali present at the book fair, it was great to be able to spend some quality time with her especially during what was certainly one of the most exciting and whirlwind weeks of her life. Her reading Tuesday night at the library was fantastic. A nice crowd of friends and well-wishers was on hand for what was a power packed and emotional reading.

It was the second consecutive evening of literary readings as the previous night Kathy and I joined the crowd at Books and Books at the Studios of Key West for a reading by author and film director Stephen Chbosky. He just released his second novel “Imaginary Friend”, some twenty years after his first one, which is one of my favorites, “The Perks of Being A Wallflower.” 

Stephen and Lori 

Stephen and Judy

This new book is a massive, horror story very unlike his previous effort, but still pretty awesome seemingly. His reading had a few teenage girls in the audience literally gasping in fear, which was pretty awesome. It was a great reading and a fascinating evening. Chbosky was yet another author who tacked his Key West visit onto an appearance at the Miami Book Fair. This time he said he just couldn’t say no when Judy Blume invited him down and really, who could?

 

Kathy, Stephen and Michael

Nadene and Brenda 

Thanksgiving arrived and I felt a little under the weather, I have been fighting off a cold since returning from Miami, but I rallied to attend two wonderful Thanksgiving gatherings with friends. We started at our friends Nadene and Trevor and their annual brunch to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This wonderful tradition is something that both Kathy and I really love. Getting to spend time with so many good friends and celebrate the season is wonderful.

Meredith and Brenda

  Trevor

This year we were treated to a fashion show with their daughter Meredith and her friends playing dress up and showing off their wonderful costumes to the assembled crowd on hand for the feast. It is fun getting to spend time with everyone and it was a great start to our day.

 

For dinner, we were off to our friends the Fords for their annual Thanksgiving gathering. They have been kind enough to invite us to their family Thanksgiving celebration for many years and we just love going. This year there was an “apple” theme to the dinner and Kathy created a yummy Cauliflower and Apple salad. The Fords always host a great collection of their friends and family and we feel so happy to be included each year. 

  

 \ Greta and Tom

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Kathy and I are truly filled with gratitude for all the wonderful blessings we have in our lives. Our family and friends fill our lives with love and happiness and it is really a pleasure to take a moment from our hectic lives to recognize how grateful we are. Happy Thanksgiving!

  Effie and Caitlin