In the Turquoise Pencil world, a strange summer has morphed into an impossible autumn. Here, soap opera scripts are played out daily.

The most recent plot developments have our cast of characters scattered across distant locations, and the family lens is ready to flip back and forth between venues like a Discovery Channel Storm Chaser reality series.

Our characters are emerging from their home grown storm-chasing mobiles, breathlessly marveling at their narrow escape.

Here, the Thanksgiving winds have blown the sky into a wispy and transparent cerulean blue. If there are clouds, they can only be seen by squinting into the distance.

Ahead, there are new adventures and different challenges, no less exhilirating and rich.

I think perhaps our Edwardian and Victorian holidays may be receding into the past. We've started to blend old traditions with new ones. The emerging traditions, for now, seem to be more diverse - an ecclectic cocktail of palm trees and Manhattan taxis, Minnesota lakes and Indian Reservations. The Batman Park and the Gulf of Mexico intercoastal waterways.

It feels good. I think I'm ready.

*****

#seasonal change

Thanksgiving redux