Thanksgiving with the family reunited

It was a big deal to have the family back together for a holiday. Last Thanksgiving I had to help my dad repo my brother's truck.   I am grateful that everyone is reunited, especially since last year I doubted that would ever happen again.  I do like holidays, but no one at my family speaks about thankfulness or any of that family togetherness stuff.  It makes me wonder if it means anything to anyone, or are we just going through the motions?  Sometimes I like to let my actions speak for me, maybe that's it.  My parents, I am sure, do the same.  They let us come and eat their food, after all.  Isn't that enough? 

My brother had Ian (my newborn nephew) on his lap and was telling him what everything on the table was.  It was sooooo cute!  It will be a while before the baby will be able to eat solid food, let alone a turkey dinner with all the trimmings...  Ian fussed or slept the whole time so no one really got to hold him or play with him. 

I brought a movie, and it keep my dad from turning on WarTV after dinner.  He did have it on before dinner, and my mom was relieved that there would be other viewing options.  Even my dad enjoyed the movie, "Bringing Up Baby," starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and a leopard.  My dad loves cats. 

Staying inside and reviewing movies

I am feeling the pull of the retailers trying to get me to go out and spend money. I want to go to Kohl's (for clothes), I want to go to Hastings (for dvds). I want to buy athletic shoes. The Consumerism is luring me out of my nice warm home into the chaotic frenzy of the busiest shopping day of the year. I feel it more strongly with each passing moment.

Those who know me well know that I am not much of a shopper. Those who know Lawrence know that Black Friday isn't that big a deal. We finally have enough retailers to spread out the crowds. But still, the tiny voice is trying to get me to get dressed and leave the house... I will need more beer, anyway!

In an effort to remain indoors I will review my three Katharine Hepburn movies:

The Philadelphia Story- (1940) Lots of rapid-fire, snappy dialog. Pretty funny and satisfying. This movie revived Kate's career and likely kept her from disappearing into oblivion. I enjoyed it.

Summertime- (1955, I think) Kate plays an age 40ish spinster (how I HATE that term) who travels alone to Venice and winds up in a romance with a married Italian shopkeeper. Made me cry. I saw myself as the aging single woman traveling alone in a beautiful, romantic city. I am just the independent sort who will wind up alone and have to fulfill my dreams by myself. Beautiful cinematography and good to watch if you have ever or will ever vacation alone.

Bringing Up Baby- (1938). Kate is a kooky heiress and Cary Grant is a geeky paleontologist. She has this pet leopard named Baby and gets Cary involved in all kinds of silly adventures that completely unravel his life. Very cute and funny. Kate was a brilliant comedic actress.