Okay, so here we are in the middle of November with Thanksgiving around the corner and the Christmas holidays in our sights. I don’t know about you, but so far, the month of November has been a real bummer for me. Between Thanksgiving being the anniversary of my Mother’s death, my art quilt “Fire In The Sky” not getting juried into the international show, various health issues among friends and family, bothersome little catastrophes around the house, and of course, all the noise over the election, things are not, as they say, “going swimmingly.”

     But I grasp for the good news which is: the election is over!!! We now have two full months before the new administration becomes official. That means that there are NO campaigns, NO solicitations for money, NO robo calls, NO ads on television, and NO coverage of rallies or conventions. No rah-ha or blah-ha, no noise. Blessed peace. We need to enjoy it while we can. There is plenty of time after January 20 to tune back in to all the chaos and mishegas if you must, but for now, let it rest.

     Since the election was apparently clean and decisive, we are also spared the accusations, the lawsuits, and the endless drama over a contested election which could have gone on and on for months. Granted, only 63% of registered voters turned out this year, and yes many are already trying to assign blame for who did or didn’t do what, but really we all share the blame for every election result whether we like it or not. In a democracy, the people choose their leaders, so this is who we are and what we’ve chosen in 2024. It’s done. Get over it.

     I for one have already begun looking for small ways to be glad this holiday season. First of all, I have put a strict limit on I-phone news updates, social media, podcasts, cable news and political pundits. I have returned to my one, reasonable mainstream evening news program (NBC Nightly News) that covers the nation and the world, and that’s it for media. Too much chatter, too much noise. I refuse to let all these people live in my head throughout the holidays; it’s already too crowded in there anyway. 

     Contrary to popular opinion, talking about and hearing about and worrying about what-ifs only reinforces all those fears and worries and what-ifs (unless you’re talking to a therapist, of course). I don’t want to talk about it or hear about it either, even with people who might agree with me. This year especially I’m trying to create a quiet place in which to find reasons to be glad and to plan a lovely, calm, un-fussy holiday season at home beginning with Thanksgiving. 

     Though dinner will be just us, I’m setting the table in the dining room and using my best china and crystal. Why not the best for those I love the best? I’ve already put out some seasonal decorations, already made my traditional brioche and put it in the freezer, already stocked special wines to accompany the meal, and already ordered an entire turkey dinner, complete with pies, from a gourmet market here in town. We will watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, nibble on baked brie, and laugh about our shared memories of Thanksgiving dinners past (the good, the bad, and the ugly).  And we will be thankful that our little family is here together right now.

     Finally, in a month, and in a year actually, that hasn’t been too great, I should be glad that not only am I not the Thanksgiving turkey, but that I don’t even have to cook it!