DALLAS and MESQUITE, Texas, November 25, 2005 — My cousin Bob makes the Thanksgiving leftovers taste better and better culminating in enchiladas (and OK he added some tamales).

I won't tell you that it was a scintillating and stimulating day. It wasn't. Oddly, though, I wasn't bored. I was interested in my relatives, in the meals, the football, the small talk. The children are all grown. In college except for one who is almost there. The one married and having us all over for desserts.

I took a short walk over to the nearby toy store at one point but I didn't get any exercise. I didn't nap, but others did. I tried to contribute to putting together a nearly impossible jigsaw puzzle.

My aunt cooked me a bacon, eggs, English muffin and homemade jelly breakfast. I ate too much from a selection of leftovers at lunch. I dug into the Mexican fare at dinner. My stomach felt a little upset when I got back to the hotel and a couple of days of not sleeping well (and why couldn't I nap like everyone else?) has taken a little toll. But I enjoyed my visit with the relatives and spending time with Dad. So I watch some mindless TV. And I sleep. I've agreed to get an early start. Dad says "whenever you want...I bet I'll be up."