Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Ours was small, but we still had a great time cooking and sharing our feast. None of the recipes were "healthified" this year, I'm afraid; but we used the vintage china plates, which are smaller than modern plates, and nobody wanted more than one serving, although it was all so good! As the only meat eater in the house, I'm fixed for turkey for some time to come. I am so thankful for the bounty of our table. I pray that those who are struggling to feed themselves will be blessed with full stomachs this holiday season, and the means to provide for their families.
We had a challenging week leading up to the holiday. Friday and Sunday of last week were my shows. Eric flew in for opening night on Friday (also our 11th anniversary!) and we celebrated on Saturday with a big hike. We were turned away from our first choice due to it being opening day for hunting season; the park was filled with deer hunters. So we ended up going to nearby Fort Duffield, a Civil War earthworks fort overlooking the Ohio River, where we climbed the short but VERY steep trail from the parking lot to the park, and then a mile trail back down along the creek bed.
Then we drove over to Jefferson Memorial Forest and did a nice, hilly hike before it got too dark. Perfect way to spend the day, and if I go back to Louisville, I'll know where to go on my days off! I am thankful that my sweet husband Eric was able to come and see my show, and that we were able to spend a wonderful day hiking together. I'm thankful for Eric, period. I pray that those who are alone find love.
The show was great, but it was a little bit stressful due to an ongoing disagreement between the orchestra and the opera company. They were unable to resolve it before our show opened, so we performed with four hands piano and a harpsichord. The orchestra was not very happy with this arrangement, and some members posted nasty comments about the production (which they had not yet seen) and protested outside the venue; but the audience was overwhelmingly supportive of the singers and really enjoyed the show. You can read a review here. I'm thankful that our show was able to go on and that it was a big success, even without an orchestra. I pray for a speedy resolution to this struggle which is keeping so many musicians out of work and is damaging to the community.
And here's a pic of me on opening night, with the mini-Marcellina made by our wonderful Susanna, Anya Matanovic. She made finger puppets of every character in the opera as opening night presents --- so talented. All I gave people were homemade brownies. I'm thankful for my incredible, talented, lovely colleagues! And I pray that everybody gets to experience such fabulous colleagues at some point in their careers.
On Monday, we started the long drive home in the rain ... we drove over 800 miles, stopped in North Dallas for the night, and then made it home on the second day. Actually, when we hit Austin, we went straight to Whole Foods and did our Thanksgiving shopping.
On the way home, I got a terrifying phone call from my sister-in-law. My older brother, who I'd just talked to on the phone earlier that day, had been robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight, in his own driveway, in an upscale suburb of Atlanta. He's fine; my brother can basically sell ice to Eskimos, and he managed to keep the robber calm, refusing to go into the house, close the garage door, or give him his wallet (he gave him credit cards and cash). He got the guy to leave and called the police. Needless to say, the thing Iam most thankful for this year is that my brother survived this very frightening and dangerous situation, and that my family is safe and healthy. My prayer is for the person who felt he had to threaten my brother's life in order to steal his money. I am angry at this person, but I also wonder if he is desperate, if he has kids to feed. I pray that he finds a better way to live, and that he doesn't hurt anyone else.
Even though it turned out so much better than it might have, the incident was, of course, very upsetting and it took a surprising physical toll on me. I felt exhausted for the rest of the day and most of the next, almost as if I had the flu. Friends assured me this was the affect of the adrenaline jolt and told me to treat myself as if I had the flu. So I cooked, and napped, and cuddled with the Dachshunds (who are REALLY glad to see Mommy), and today I felt like a new woman.
So good, in fact, that after the turkey went in the oven this morning there was time to go for a run. It was kind of tough, not one of my happier runs, but I was very glad to have done it. After our long dinner (over the last couple of years we've evolved a tradition of French-style dining ... which basically means it takes three or four hours to eat) I took the dogs for a long walk. So at least I got my exercise in, and enjoyed my meal guilt-free.
Now I'm at home for a while. I get to be here for the holidays, though I have a few quick audition trips, and a concert to do. My goal is to work out four to five days a week. I'm thinking that I might start P90X again, but do it on alternate days and run in between. I'd like to find a 10K to run when I'm in Florida.
I'm thankful that, even as I continue to struggle, I am in better shape than in previous years. I am stronger and I have more endurance, and I still am determined to become better yet. And I pray for all of you to have a healthy, happy year with plenty to be grateful for. God bless. :)
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