In Which Matterdays Is Visited By The Ghost Of College Friends Past.

My very dear friend Jodi - whom I went to college with and have not seen in at least 16 years - made the long trek from Columbus, Ohio to Seattle this week to spend Thanksgiving with us. I was, admittedly, nervous about seeing her - what if we had nothing in common and nothing to say to each other after so long? My fears were unfounded, since we have kept in touch on and off all this time. She reminded me quite quickly what a warm, gracious, intelligent and charming woman she is. It went by far too quickly.

My camera was not as active as I had wanted it to be, but our wonderful few days together - and her first visit to Seattle - are at least captured in a few highlights.

We ventured down to Pioneer Square - here's the big totem pole by the pergola:

First Avenue in Pioneer Square - my old stomping grounds, in a way. I really miss working down here:

The ferry terminal at Colman Dock:

Arriving at Pike Place Market:

Putting up the Christmas Tree at the Market:

Christmas decorations at the Market:

The famous "fish throwers" stand. Didn't see any fish thrown - but still entertaining:

The view from the back of the Market over Elliott Bay towards West Seattle:

Looking northwest at a barge:

The Space Needle and downtown from Kerry Park on Queen Anne - with a dramatic view of Mt. Rainier:

The Port of Seattle and West Seattle:

Panorama of Seattle:

Proving that Jodi really was here (how cute is she?):

Wednesday was her birthday - and Scott bought her a cake shaped like a turkey:

We considered posting this as our Thanksgiving dinner:

Jodi and Scott (yes, she's wearing a sweater from The Ohio State University):

Thursday morning - ready to go in the oven:

Jodi helping with dinner:

La Table:

Me and Jodi (nice extra chins, Matt):

During dinner:

The aftermath - table cleared:

Scott bought this - A Charlie Brown Christmas tree - I love it:

Friday morning - after taking Jodi to the airport at 5 a.m. - Stoli already misses her new sleeping buddy:

I'm absolutely exhausted from trying to get the house presentable for a houseguest ... and to be honest, I'm pretty lonely tonight. Jodi's back in Columbus, Scott is working late. But I have great memories and it was so wonderful to reconnect live with someone who has been such a dear friend to me.

Happy Thanksgiving Jodi and all of my friends ... you're all invited for next year.