Tradition in my family has been to present a wish list for Santa on Thanksgiving day. Get out your credit cards and checkbooks, here is my annual list. Well, first I want world peace but I know I’ll be disappointed again. Then I would like you to remember your local council on aging, your local library and the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard. Don’t forget the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living and the Boys and Girls Club. If you cannot give money give time. Volunteer at one of these facilities. Bless you all.

The Patriots squeaked out a win last Sunday. I thought I was going to have a heart attack.

I had the most delightful surprise visit from Shane True Justice Vanderhoop two Sundays ago. He is a young boy who grew up in my neighborhood here. Shane is now a tall and handsome young man. He lives in upstate New York with his mother, her fiance and his sisters, two dogs and six cats. He works, has attended college and is weighing his options. I remember when Shane would visit here with Mary Afton and they would do art projects and play games. Shane’s grandparents here are Ed Wood and Patty Pachico. What a great visit that was.

I shall not be eating turkey. My fleet of fine feathered friends pass through my yard everyday. My housemate, Tac, and I have named most of them. I cannot turn on them in that way.

I have been in device hell with my phone. It broke after 10 years. I purchased a new one but lost many phone contacts, lost some information and my phone calls get cut off. I wish young Shane still lived in my hood so he could help me.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Sharon Fisher on Nov. 15. Martha Dunham took the cake on Nov. 23. Many happy returns