About this time of the year, I’m usually shifting into cooking mode. You know the drill: making lists, grocery shopping, making another list for the things forgotten, then back to the grocery store.

But this year, someone else is doing the cooking. In fact, lots of someone elses are doing a whole smorgasbord of cooking. And so I’m especially thankful.

For a few days, I’ll enjoy the Fortune of family. And as for Fame, well, here’s this year’s version of my Thanksgiving prayer. It’s not exactly famous, and likely will never be published, but my family likes it. (On the other hand, they’re my family. They really don’t have a choice.)

Lord, we thank you for this year,

For all the family we hold dear.

And the grace to gather for this food.

You know, Lord, it sure looks good!

Thanks for the tea and wine we sip.

And for all those years of the Hope Scholarship.

Thanks for the potatoes, fluffy and light,

And thanks for all the chances to write.

Thanks for the veges, a colorful riot.

And thanks for the success of the South Beach diet.

Thanks for the cranberries, rich and sweet.

For parents close by (even down the street!).

Thanks for the rice, gravy, yams and peas.

And thanks for the ability to shoot seventy-threes.

Thanks for the pies and cakes so appealing.

For love and laughter and moments of healing.

Lord, you know it’s been a year

Of ups and downs, but we’re still here.

So thank you, Lord, and bless this food.

Thanksgiving dinner never looked so good!

I know I’m supposed to fill you in on Cathy C. Hall’s roller coaster ride to Fame and Fortune. But this weekend, the roller coaster took a detour and ran smack dab into another writer: William Rawlings, Jr.

William Rawlings, Jr. and I have a shared interest in the beneficent Mr. Hall.

Well, actually, I don’t know that Dr. Rawlings is particularly interested in Mr. Hall now, unless Mr. Hall’s beneficence extends to purchasing one of the doctor’s suspense novels. But 28 years ago, it was a different story. Dr. Rawlings, Jr. plucked a young man from the jaws of death (or at least a serious, snarky infection) and sent him on his way in the world to find love, wealth and happiness (or at least a cheap date).

Anyway, I guess you’ve figured out who that young man is, give or take a few pounds and a few gray hairs. Meanwhile, William Rawlings, Jr. is an accomplished author with four books under his belt. The author and I came face to face for the first time at the inaugural Gwinnett Reads Book Festival.

You can read all about the good doctor’s books at http://www.williamrawlings.com/. I figure a plug is the least I can do, considering what he did for me.