Preparations are done. We’re almost on our way with sweet and mashed potatos and stuffing in tow. My sister-in-law and her family don’t do sweets. When they come here they bring a casserole of mashed potatos mixed with stuffing. It’s not Thanksgiving dinner for them without that. Unfortunately, our going there means bringing three dishes to make it Thanksgiving dinner for our family. Thanksgiving is such a food holiday that you kind of have to have your favorites.

That’s not the end of it. My sister-in-law is such a good baker that bringing desserts is usually a coals to New Castle kind of thing, but I’m bringing sugar-free chocolate pudding pie for my diabetic husband. That and the tofu turkey with the wheat gluten gravy for my vegetarian sister and we’re good to go. They’re never going to ask us to come again. I can see that coming.

My mother is getting dressed. She’s asked us where we’re going every half hour on the hour for about two weeks now. I think she’s got it now. Just takes a while. She’s focused on getting dressed now. Her outfit will be wasted on us, I’m afraid. We do our holildays in jeans, mostly. She just never noticed.

We’ve had a talk about avoiding too much political/religious discussion. Or at least not starting it. And not getting overly passionate if it does come up. No yelling. I made the rule. I think they suspect I don’t actually have that authority though. I think that’s everything. There’s nothing I can do about the fact that my sister will bring a book and fill conversational lulls by reading it. OK..over the river and through the traffic we go.