We've just returned to Portland after two and a half weeks in Maryland and Virginia to celebrate Thanksgiving, birthdays, family and friendship.  Thank you to all who's hospitality made this such a lovely visit: quiet relaxing days at my mom's house (Molly Baker also known as Gigi to her greatgranddaughters) in Southern Maryland, my sister Marilyn Baker in Laurel, Maryland, my daughter Blaire (also called Liz) and her husband James in Richmond, Virginia, with their daughters Eva and Mimi, and our friends in Fredericksburg, the Hansons, the Craigs, the Semieas, and Matareses.