Cousins love casseroles!

I made Rocksgiving dinner for my cousins. It awoke in me a certain domestic ability that I assumed I lack. At one point, the cousin above told me I "sure can make a casserole" and the pride that rose through me nearly lifted me out of my plastic seat. It's a struggle to take in such a massive compliment, to adjust my self concept and make room for casserole-making on the list of things that are awesome about me. Casserole-making ability doesn't make me better than anyone else, right, but it means that given a set of ingredients, some solid, some liquid, a pan and some heat, I can make the midwest come alive in your mouth.

Enough about me! This blog isn't just a public diary about me and my fantastic skills--it is also a forum for celebrating cousins. I consider my sister a cousin as well, for she is my cousins' cousin, no? In this way we are all, as humans, cousins. This profound realization could change the course of human history, because in addition to being the best people on the face of the earth, my cousins are Republicans. Listen, Hezbollah and the Israeli state: sure, cousins might get in an argument on State St. about panhandling and homelessness, and then not really speak to each other for awhile, but in the end, cousins can eat out of the same giant pan of green bean casserole and enjoy doing so, and in this way, love each other.

So, dear readers, in these times of trouble and plenty, I could sit around thinking about all the awfulness inherent in a meal of turkey loaf and three cheese macaroni, Thanksgiving as a concept, my family as a reality. I really could, and have, sometimes with beer and/or cat. It's better, though, to wonder at the majesty of cousins and culture and Cloud Gate, a magical metal bean that makes humans happy. I offer thanks and all praise due to Mayor Daley and, of course, God.