Last night we held our annual Harvest Festival, our major fundraiser every year. It was a roaring success and our budget will be in the black for the coming year.

Equally important was that we had a wonderful turnout. I've never seen so many people attend one of our affairs. The place was packed.

The chairs were mostly cleared out of the sanctuary, and tables set up for silent auction item. The most popular items every year (this year being no exception) were the theme dinners hosted by a family in their home, usually 8 - 10 people. Everything is donated and proceeds go to Emerson UU Church.

I indulged in a flurry of silent bids and I'm now scheduled for a

Japanese dinner, family style, in March.
Election night party Nov. 6th.
Comfort food and game night in January.
Train ride to Santa Barbara in December.
French Country dinner in February.
Indan Food dinner in November,
Dim Sum and shopping in Chinatown mid-November,
Scrabble and Ice Cream mid January.

I've been a semi-hermit too long. It's time to come out and smell the spices.

My offerings for the silent auction were my kindle (I'm getting a new one and who needs two?) and "Have Car, Will Travel" offering to take anyone, anywhere, up to 8 hours of my time, unlimited mileage.

There was so much going on and so many people, that I don't know who successfully bid for my two offerings. I assume they will contact me, seeing as how I'm sure it's someone I know--practically everyone there last night was a member of the church or a family member.

It's a deep pleasure to look around a room of chatting, happy people, and realize that you know all of them and are connected to them in various ways, various times, for various purposes, but most of all in friendship.

Friends make life worth living.