Thankful

I was too busy ranting yesterday to offer up my thanks for:
@Diarmuid Kennedy, the wonderful librarian who unlocked the secrets to doing research on Queen's Online Library. He probably spent a half hour with me yesterday researching race riots in Britain and the U.S.
@Our new house, which will be lovely some day.
@David, who is making Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday for the first dinner party we will host in Northern Ireland.
@My mom, who has recovered from knee surgery and hip surgery in the past two years.
@My dog, who is awesome.
@The luxury of being able to study full time (and grumble part time).
@My health. I can still run for a half hour with no problems. That's a big deal, in my book.
@The people who designed and built the McClay Library, in which I love to study. I sit every day on the third floor overlooking Botanic Garden. Just lovely.
@Ulster, where I feel relaxed and happy (except for when I get stressed over school).

David and I had Thanksgiving dinner last night at McDonald's. Seemed appropriate. Then we went by the house and found a skip outside filled with what was once the third floor ceiling. We are so happy that work has begun.

Tonight we went to see Effie, a wonderful film by the incomparable Emma Thompson. Also today, I took a break from Queen's to have tea with Luane, the property manager for our townhouse. She is doing very well, despite the heavy responsibility of caring for her husband, who has recently undergone a life-threatening surgery to remove a cancerous tumor along his spine. He is doing well, considering what he's been through and Luane is bearing up very well. We all have so much to be thankful for.
11-28