My wife decided that we would have our Thanksgiving meal today and avoid the crowds of the weekend. So the celebration part of Thanksgiving is a special meal. The meditation on thankfulness can occur on the weekend.
For most people Thanksgiving celebrations are long on tradition. For my Dad any excuse for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings was just fine. He was a farmer and was very active physically so had a lusty appetite. He loved having family together so his two brothers and sometimes a sister would attend these dinners. These visits and wonderful meals were days that were very exciting. Usually the meal was at noon with cold turkey and left overs in the late afternoon so my uncles could go home and do their farm chores.
For my Dad the thankful part took place every day of the year. He was a devout christian and prayed many times a day and always offered thanks for what God had provided him.
For my family, we for the most time, have enjoyed the turkey dinner with all the trimmings. There were only four of us but we could really tuck into the turkey and make it disappear. When my kids left home we continued to enjoy the turkey dinner. When my daughter came back and lived beside us she took over Thanksgiving celebrations. She did not always have the traditional turkey. What she did have was her birth mother and granny and at times other relatives. This made for an enjoyable day.
Now that we are only a couple again we have found the turkey bit too much. We don't like having left over turkey for four or five days. Our appetites and energy to make the meal have lessened. So today is the first Thanksgiving that we have decided to go out for the meal.
Now that the meal is dispensed with I have time to consider what I am thankful for. Looking back over the year there were many good things which happened to make my life rewarding.
Since I'm on the blog I can say that I'm thankful for all the people who visit Hiawatha House. I am also thankful to all the people who offer comments. I have found many interesting blogs to read so thanks to all the bloggers who create interesting posts.
Hi Keith-I enjoyed reading about your Thankgiving stories. I especially can relate to eating a second "cold" turkey dinner after the real one.
ReplyDeleteI also admired that your father was a devoted Christian and prayed several times a day, a great model for the rest of us. We certainly do have lots to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving Keith and Jean from Don and Maureen
Thanks Don. One of the things I am thankful for is that I had the Wielings for neighbors for one year. We often talk about your kids when they spent the year here.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to your family.
Happy Thanksgiving, whenever you decide to have it, Red. I see on my calendar that it is "officially" on Monday in Canada. I understand the desire not to have tons of leftovers. We have moved to salmon for our Thanksgiving feast, and there is rarely much left over. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan, right on for salmon, especially what you get when it's right off the boat.
ReplyDeleteYes Monday is the official day. But I won't forget when you have yours.
My daughter became an American citizen a few weeks ago so I'll have to keep these things in mind.
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. I am one who however enjoys the left overs almost as much as the real thing. Turkey sandwiches, soup and caseroles are great ways to enjoy that wonderful bird. I don't think you need to wait for thanksgiving to eat turkey or be thankful, those things can be done every day of the year.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving Red! I am thankful to have found you to read:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Far Side. I read you every day but don't comment every day.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work. I like the way you take old pictures and tell a great story.
Thanks Nata. I used to enjoy the left overs but the appetite and energy to prepare them is gone. It's different when there are only two of you chewing on a turkey.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy reading your stories about the good ol' days! Thanks for sharing that with us. We're thankful for your friendship and neighborly gestures....like gooseberry jam!!!!!
ReplyDeleteTracey
Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the visits on the sidewalk when the dog is being walked.
All I have are old stories. LOL
LOL we LOVE turkey and seem to be able to eat a fairly big one (just two of us) over a period of a few days. I'm not cooking one this weekend though.....we just got a fresh beef in the freezer;)
ReplyDeleteWell Linda , when we were your age we could demolish a lot of turkey. You are also both very physically active and so the great appetite is still there.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Thanksgiving.
Waltzing down memory lane reminds me of traditions once observed and how they've evolved over the years.
ReplyDeleteThank you Red for sharing your memories. I'm happy to read you have much to be thankful for.
Happy Thanksgiving, Red. I'm thankful to have found you among the many bloggers whom I enjoy reading. Have a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Daniel. As I said with Thanksgiving there is tradition involved so it's easy to talk about family.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a fine Thanksgiving.
Hilary, thanks for the compliment. I have fun writing this stuff.
ReplyDeleteHave a great thanksgiving.