Thanksgiving

Even though Thanksgiving is still on the horizon it is time for secrets and surprises. Holiday shopping, especially for early birds like my beloved wife, Kathy, rely at least on some element of surprise for the giving of gifts. But pholks, like most people who graduate into middle age or senior citizenship, my wife and I work hard at trying to be more practical and less "surprising" on birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas.

We strive to shop for gifts which are needed, practical, appropriate and within budget. Of course that means that we give and get big hints about what is wanted and what isn't. I tell her what kind of golf equipment I would like and she tells me what would be handy in the kitchen or the color for specific apparel. We basically know what we are getting. The details and the unique gift-wrappings are the only real surprises. It makes us both happy. With this background, pholks, I now describe a scene, which unfolded, at our house this week.

Kathy led me to the bedroom, made me promise not to open my eyes and take off my pants. Then I had to stand on one leg at a time and pull on two or three pair of pants. At age sixty and going without even one real beer in over eight years, I managed to perform the test. But pholks, believe me it was not easy despite my better than average sense of balance and athletic prowess. Adding to the test was the challenge of not laughing too hard and flopping face first.

My wife's shoulder and a nearby bedroom wall came in real handy. At times like this the mind also has fun. My brain was having a ball. I recall thinking how this must look and how videotape would be a winner on one of those funniest video shows. Here is a 60-year-old chubby, balding short guy standing on one leg in only his shorts, eyes closed while his wife, also past the 50-year mark, trying to get pant legs on the tottering old guy's leg. This sure does sound like a strange way to operate but there certainly good reason.

My wife does nothing without a reason. I am smart enough to know that. You see pholks, she shopped and hopped on the Internet for her husband's gifts and found just what she wanted. But since there was a 20-day limit for returning the purchase and with more than 30days left before Christmas, well, things had to be done now.

Of course, having 94 percent of her shopping totally finished before Thanksgiving was another factor. I must add that I also tried on a jacket that fit like a glove. I don't know what it looks like but I can hardly wait. It will be a surprise. Sort of. ALSO SURPRISED WAS Tabby Lucio the girlfriend of architect Stan Canby during the annual ladies night dinner dance of the Tulare Kings County Builders Exchange a few nights ago.

During the presentation of gifts to each lady in attendance at a formal "Paris Fling" themed event at the Visalia Country Club Tabby was called forward to receive her gift. It was a special ring. An engagement ring and along with it came a marriage proposal. The extensively detailed decor for the night, which included twinkling light, a replica of the Eiffel Towel transforming the Country Club into Paris romance was in the air - a perfect setting for a surprise engagement, which was, of course, accepted much to the delight of the 250-300 guests.

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