Wednesday, November 26, 2008

HoneyLuna Is Practicing Her Dance Moves In Preparation For Tonight's Event


The highlight of last Thanksgiving was a spontaneous combustion of a throw-down party the night before which made the actual Thanksgiving Day feast a definitive study in anticimaticism.

Yeah. I don't think that's a word, either, Spellchecker.

And oh boy, here we go again.

I started getting calls last week. The ex called and wanted to know if we were going to be doing that night-before Thanksgiving thing. I said I had no idea but that he and the wife should come on over because all the kids would be here and to bring guitars.

Then yesterday his old best friend from childhood, the man whom I moved to Tallahassee because of (long story) called to ask if we were going to be doing it again.

Yes, I said. I guess we will be.

I hope he remembers his fiddle.

I called the Sauce Boss, and he and his wife are probably coming over and I'm sure he'll bring a guitar. Billy and Shayla and Billy's mama are coming and two of my brothers will be here and who knows who else will show up?

I don't.

It seems rather insane to throw a party the night before Thanksgiving, doesn't it?

I keep it low key. I boil some frozen tortellinis and throw those in a bowl with pasta sauce, heat up some bread and make a salad. There you go.

Hopefully, Mr. Moon will locate some oysters.

Surely there will be beer and perhaps a bottle of rum to warm up our insides because for some reason, everyone ends up on my skinny porch and it's cold, baby. Perhaps Mr. Moon will drag the fire pit a bit closer to the house. Nothing says Thanksgiving like a fire pit and some oyster shucking. And home made music. And people you only get to see once a year, most of whom you've known since we were younger than the "kids" are now. And seeing those kids playing music with the old ones, some of whom play music for a living but on this night are playing for the joy of it, just like in the old days, everyone singing and dancing, too. The joy in my heart when all this comes about, to look around and see faces and hear voices from my past, my present, my always. Bonds formed criss-cross and straight-across and catty-cornered and all pieced together until we're like some crazy quilt stitched long ago so tight and so strong that you just want to wrap yourself up in it and dream away all darkness.

As I start to stress out about all the work I have not yet done but which must be done before tonight, before tomorrow, I force myself to think about what the Beatles said, which is that all you need is love.

Corny?

Oh hell yes.

True?

I think so. I believe so.

And something else they said:

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.

Tonight I'll be reminded of how much love I've made, because if tonight's gathering is anything like last year's, I'll be taking in so much love that my heart will feel as if it's bursting.

And that, my babies, is worth more than a clean house.

And that, my loves, is worth more than anything.

Post Script: Any of you bloggers out there who might want to join us tonight, call me or e-mail me. There will be loaves and fishes.

12 comments:

  1. Right! That's it! I shall be persuading Mrs FL tonight that we need to be in Florida, Tallahasee this time next year :)

    Fat Lad

    (Love, rum and bicyles are all I need)

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  2. I'm all for the rum...that's the only way I can stand the thought of a day filled with most of my family...
    You can eat my share of oysters though.

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  3. Mr. Lad- please go ahead and make your reservations now.

    Rachel- yes. For anyone with a food texture issue, oysters would not be good.

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  4. if i was only in florida.....
    have a wonderful time

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  5. Happy Thanksgiving, Moon Family! Shine on!

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  6. Oh how I wish I could!!

    Someday?

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  7. AB and SJ- you should be in Florida. It's mighty fine here right now. I have a feeling you'd fit right in here.

    MOB- same to you, Madame! Same to you!

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  8. I'm just wishing I was there with you all. It sounds fun.

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  9. O Ms. Moon!

    As I was reading I was wishing I lived closer because I would so love to join this amazing-sounding festivity. You are so wonderful! What a GRAND idea! I am a fan of homemade music as well. I hope you enjoy tonight so very much! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  10. I'm thinkin' this pre-Thanksgiving round up oughta substitute for T-day and forget the anticlimatic dinner and work. :) If I were in Florida, I'd make the 6 hr. trip to be there tonight for sure! :) Have fun, and take pictures! :)

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  11. Oh Ms. Moon, how you make me long to be in Lloyd. please give my best to David and Bill and Jerry and their lovely wives Karen and Ruth and omigod I forgot Jerry's wife's name. I will be sitting quietly tonight with my guitar and strumming some tunes to my dog, wishing I was in the thick of your throw down and beatin' and bangin' with the boys. I beg you, make this an annual event so I can be there next year! And have a happy, happy joy, joy night!

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  12. Sounds like heaven! Full of love indeed, I can feel it from here!

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