We heard from many of you, flung far and wide, about your Thanksgivings. A memorable one took place in Hightstown, with the Dundee Dicksons trekking all the way to spend the day with Grandma. They arrived Wednesday and left Saturday morning and had several opportunities to visit Peter, Janet and Johanna. Their plan to eat in the Meadow Lakes dining room with Grandma didn't transpire, but they did help Grandma with her turkey before heading back to her apartment for a new traditional meal: spaghetti. We spoke with them several times during their journey and heard stories of Claire driving, of Daniel getting tall and Lur feeling a whole lot better.
We also heard that Peter and Janet had dinner with her cousin DeeDee and family. Peter invited a couple of Princeton students and hosted Canadian friends from Vancouver. Sean and Amanda were able to catch a train out for the event.
We understand David and Paula had a quiet day, as Paula was worried about attending a family gathering with her lingering cold. Jeff and Melodie were going to head over to friends for the day. We even got a call from Annie who had to work on Thursday, but was planning for a Thanksgiving dinner with friends over the weekend.
I headed up to Pittsfield with a car full of provisions on Tuesday, picked up Joe who had gotten the train out during the day. He turned around and headed back to Boston to meet Tamara who came east from Ann Arbor to spend the holiday with us! Margaret and Mary drove up Tuesday night, through pouring rain and around the northeast corridor, and they managed to arrive by 1am, getting in just minutes before Joe and Tamara. Everyone had Wednesday to recover and we had a grand feast on Thursday!
We saw John and Marilyn Friday, and they hosted Colleen and Cara and their families over for the big day. Dan was out in Colorado, enjoying the holiday with Patrick. And, we heard that Maura and Steve had a big family get-together at their home.
I'm sure there are other reports out there. Why don't we all get together and do this in one place? I know why.
In any event, I decided this was the Thanksgiving to debunk some myths.
First, I realized it's a made-up holiday, not by the Pilgrims or Hallmark, but a conspiracy led by Shell Oil and the States of Delaware and New Jersey. The revenue from gas and tolls by the stupid volume of cars on the road convinced me, this is not a normal way to spend a day off.
Second, pumpkin pie is not good. It's not sweet and the only reason we eat it at all is we think it's traditional. It's not like the Pilgrims ate it! And if it was so good, why don't we eat it on ANY OTHER DAY OF THE YEAR! Also, what is the deal with canned cranberries?
Third, this is a holiday akin to squirrels and bears putting on layers of fat before going into winter hibernation. We therefore ought to call it like it is - Gettingfat Day. You have to wonder how global warming is going to affect the food intake on this day if we don't need to pile it on for the cold.
I suspect you all may have learned more truths about this holiday, as wonderful and unique a one as there is anywhere in the world! It is our exceptionalism.
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