Thanksgiving has come and gone and I declare this the last year that I ever eat turkey. That is one tasteless bird. One of our guests this year, an Indian, brought chicken curry (thanks Sunil!) and it was, hands down, the best part of the meal. The pumpkin pie came second. Next year, chicken curry and pumpkin pie. Now that’s a good meal.

I spent most of November traveling. In Houston, I spoke at the National Council for Social Studies conference. I was awarded the Spirit of America Award, which has been previously given to Jimmy Carter, Rosa Parks and Mr. Rogers, to name a few. I am still gloating and glowing from that one! Thank you NCSS!

I also had a chance to visit West Virginia and experience snow. I also visited St. Paul, Minnesota and experienced snow. I also saw my old friend Zohreh, known as Z., from UCBerkeley.  I had not seen her in 20 years! She is a doctor and mom to an adorable son, Dante.

I love having a chance to see so much of the United States. There are so many cultures in this vast land. Now when I hear the word, “American”, I don’t know what to think!

I am home now for a while and catching up. There is always laundry to be done and weeds to be removed and children to be hugged. Thank you all for reading and buying a book once in a while. Please give books this season! They make great gifts  and are not fattening.

Cheers!