Thoughts of Autumn

It has been barely two months since Lori succumbed to triple negative breast cancer and the pain of loss is still acute.

November is the real herald of autumn in my world and this year seems especially sad as the evenings seem to come on quicker and the nights are longer.

I find myself remembering the tale of Persephone and Hades and how that Greek myth prepares the earth for the sadness of 6 months of winter ahead, but giving us hope, for as always, there is the promise "if  winter comes, spring cannot be far behind." 

(The quote is from a Percy Bysshe Shelley poem. Shelley also dies tragically and too soon being a month short of 30 years old when he drowned.)

That brings another Shelley quote to mind. "We look before and after, And pine for what is not; Our sincerest laughter With some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought."

In any case, this autumn seems exceptionally melancholy so I am determined to try and focus on ways to find a lighter feeling in my soul and some happiness in small things.

One thing I am very proud of and I know Lori would be proud as well, Stephen and Victoria, his fiancee, rescued a stray dog on the way home the other night after we had enjoyed dinner with a delegation of our Japanese partners in Corpus Christi.

He is definitely carrying on our family's tradition of saving animals and never passing by a creature in need without trying to help. 

Everyone at GBT had a great time during the visit from some of our Japanese partners this past weekend.

Jason prepared a fantastic smorgasbord of sushi treats for our guests using GBT shrimp fresh from the ponds.

Jason who spent some time in Okinawa while in the military is an excellent chef and well accomplished in Japanese cuisine. Not a bad accomplishment to have in one's skill set.

The Japanese delegation had a great time and were effusive in their praise for the taste and quality of our shrimp. And they were equally complimentary in their opinions of the GBT system and the GBT team.

All of us at GBT are delighted to have such enthusiastic partners and persons of such integrity as we work to expand our production capabilities globally.

Stephen and I are definitely going to Maryland for Thanksgiving. It is a time to see old friends and family and try to begin to heal. I miss my two cats and my horses and Lily, our African grey parrot. 

It will be good to spend time back in Maryland over the Thanksgiving holiday.

We are trying to decide on something fun and unique to do for Christmas. Something that would be a whole new experience for us over the Christmas season. 

Maryland where we live is very, very, pretty in the fall. 

And a change of location for a while as the seasons change, may be a change we need, at least for a little while.