Quis Victus Postremo? A rough approximation of “What Nourishment Next?” We’re trying this out as our family motto. We were inspired by one of the life-affirming things we did this weekend, pay another visit to Bellefontaine Cemetery.
Thanksgiving weekend began Tuesday evening when Darren, Leah, and Donna, Darren’s mother, arrived after driving in from Pittsburgh. We chatted for a little while and then drove the kids to Union Station where they were staying at the Marriott. Donna stayed with us and got to know the cats.
Wednesday morning we broke fast at Rooster and took Donna’s car to Susan’s where we parked it in the street. I made sure to take the most scenic routes so I could show Donna the building Nan and I were married in as many times as possible.
Darren had tickets to the top of the Arch for two PM. We got there early to avoid the crowds and were able to enter the tram queue right away.
I’ve been to the top twice in smaller incarnations, so I just went to photograph the event.
There are five people per tram barrel and I had no desire to feel like spam in a can again. Darren was a little disappointed by the top, he was expecting a carnival with elephants balancing on balls and fire eaters and sword swallowers. We went home to make baked ziti and watch a Pittsburgh video with Nan.
Turkey Day! I rose at dawn to prepare the traditional Green Bean Casserole (Nan and Donna did things with potatoes, pumpkins, and succotash the night before), and we caravanned to Mary Jo’s with Susan and Kate.
Leah and Darren with Donna.
The Children’s Table.
The Grownup’s Table (Kate got a temporary promotion).
The Perfect Thanksgiving Plate.
Friday morning, Nan had to work. The rest of us went on the Anheuser-Busch brewery tour.
Donna was thrilled to see the Clydesdales. . .
. . .and the beer wagons.
We repeated the Photo Op jape.
Darren and Leah surrounded by beer.
The day was gorgeous. After St. Louis Pizza at Imo’s, we hit the cemetery and did the driving tour. Then it was home to make tuna casserole and have Joe and family for dinner at our place. Rick was back in town from Dallas so we got to see the whole gang. Marie made ice cream cake.
Saturday morning, Darren crafted Eggs Benedict with home-made from scratch Hollandaise sauce. To. Die. For. Then two Peace Corps friends and their exceedingly charming one-year-old little girl came over for lunch and we carried in BBQ from Pappy’s (Warning: Pappy’s web site plays annoying music when you get there, so if you want your boss to think you’re working, hit mute before you click).
By the time they left, it was time for my nap, so the rest of the afternoon was a blur to me. I slept until I was hungry again and we started to work on some of the leftovers. After we ate, we watched the financial highlights from Trading Places (one of the few almost perfect movies) and I got Darren to explain the trading floor action at the end. All I knew was that the Duke brothers were misinformed about the results of the Citrus Crop Report, allowing Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy to wipe them out and get rich in the process. Then we played Armchair Trivial Pursuit and the kids were able to squeak out their first Trivia victory and regain some of their self respect. I hung on to a little self respect by not playing Boggle.
After the game, we went for a stroll in the City Gardens and enjoyed the lights.
This morning the kids and Donna hit the road after breakfast at 12th Street Diner. So, we had lots of fun, though Nan had to work Wednesday and Friday so she couldn’t join us for the sightseeing. We missed Erin and Benjy but got to spend quality time with the rest of the family. Donna got to know Rufus pretty well, he stared at her all weekend, and she got to try three out of the five St. Louis foods (toasted ravioli, gooey butter cake, and St. Louis pizza with provel). Maybe next time we’ll get to the pork steaks and St. Paul sandwiches.
The cats have been frantically struggling to get back into their routine since the company left.
- Poppa
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