The Firsts Thanksgiving.

Just back from an enjoyable weekend in Alabama with a friend. Among the highlights:

• First time spending a significant amount of time in the rural South.
  
• First sighting of an armadillo. (While rocking on the front porch at night. Without a jacket. In late November.)
  
• First time going to Mississippi. My 43rd state! (Even if it rained the entire time.)
  
• First time seeing the Gulf of Mexico. (See above.)
  
• First time on a goat farm. (In rubber boots, of course.)
  
• First time sleeping in a house with 25 people. 11 adults, 14 children. (I realize that the 25th doesn't make much of a difference at that point, but I'm grateful the Martins let me crash their party and take up bed space.)