... ..deep gratitude ....November 12, 2004   I stand in the kitchen squeezing honey from the head of a bear.  Across the Shredded Wheat and Bran I drizzle a sweet outline of the continental United States.  My thoughts turn to family values because, after all, the law requires it.  I wince.  Sixteen family members will descend upon Greenmullet for Thanksgiving.  As far as I can tell, my family values laughter above all else.  We laugh a lot and not just when we're sniffing airplane glue.  After laughter, however, there is no consensus on values.  We've got a Republican, two socialists, the odd drunk, and a homo.  We are killers and vegans and smokers and joggers.  The prim break bread with the slatterns, the chatty lie down with the mute.  While my family ululates between bites of Spotted Owl and tofu dressing, I shall slip away unnoticed and slip into my scuba gear.  On the bottom of my newly constructed swimming pool, at the deep end, I'll sit and watch the air bubbles rise.  And I shall give thanks. previous..|..current..|..archives..|..4th quarter index..|..next

©  2004 by the beastmaster