I’ve always loved Fall harvest foods, and the concept of gratitude is deeply engrained in my upbringing, so, even though I can’t countenance the Pilgrim backstory of Thanksgiving, it’s one of my favorite times of the year. I’m the child of Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and so the clash of cultures as North America was invaded by Europeans bears bittersweet fruit for me.

So we do it a little differently, with some ceremonial appreciation to the ancestors who brought us here, and a focus on gratitude and joy in each other’s company. And one more heck of a harvest feast.

My goddaughter says I have a better time in the kitchen than anyone she knows. She’s right–grooving to a great beat while whipping up favorite dishes for my family makes me deeply happy. When my family is present for the preparations, it’s even more fun. This year, it’s just Ed and me and the little Yorkie, but we had a blast, anyway.

Although I miss those who aren’t with us this year–my wonderful older brother, Gordon, who passed away last year, and my son, Ansel, who is following his bliss out west in Kansas, and all the others whose spiritual presence sits like smoke and incense in my chest–I had a grand time today getting ready to host friends old and new tomorrow, and considering the good fortune that has been ours this year. All year, every year, we try to share our wealth, such as it is, so that Thanksgiving is not so much a once-a-year outpouring as a farewell to fall and a nod to the coming winter.

This year, I felt like experimenting, so the kitchen blazed with some grand experiments.

One of the things I am most grateful for is you, dear reader, each of you. Thank you for sharing my world and letting me into your life. May you have wonderful holidays here and now and in the days to come.

Homemade cranberry sauce; the pungent smell of sautéing onions, garlic and celery for the sage cornbread dressing; ingredients for so much more, and pies, pies, pies to come.

And, oh, yes, dancing, dancing, dancing!

May you have as much joy in your friends and family as mine bring to me!