Thanksgiving ... okay, a bit late

I know what you're saying, and you're not wrong. "Old Ken," you're thinking. "Where in the world have you been? News has come and gone—from Julian Assange and Wikileaks to the mysterious awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. Yet, Nicebird has been entirely silent. Why haven't you been writing anything?"

Let me assure you, friend, that I have been writing plenty! Old Ken just ain't too sure if you want to be reading a bunch of lectures on Chardin, Gainsborough, Courbet and other protagonists of 18th and 19th art on a fine blog such as this one. But, as all of that is thankfully now in the past, why don't we open our hearts and minds together in a spirit of holiday gratitude in recalling a celebration now a month behind us? Thanksgiving!

As you may surmise from the photograph above, "turkey day" for the Dr. and Mrs. Digby was a low-key affair in which sweet potatoes, corn bread, cranberry sauce and vegetarian chili (still waiting to make its grand entrance when this picture was taken) took starring turns.



After the meal, we headed out for Joshua Tree National Park. As you'll recall ....



... the little lady and I have been to the JT several times now. Why not? It's only two hours' drive from LA and it never gets old. There you are, walking amongst these craggy piles of boulders ...



... and then you're surrounded by these wondrous, anthropomorphic yuccas called by the Mormon settlers (supposedly) Joshua Trees because their reaching, gesticulating branches suggested the arms of the prophet Joshua.



However you want to slice it, they are pretty incredible to look at.



And it's certainly not hard to find inspiration in such a place. As we approach the solstice-season and some other festivals of light, Old Ken hopes y'all are feeling inspired, rejuvenated and excited too. (Well, not too excited!)