“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.”
The morning is a delight. At 62˚, the day has a September feel. A warm wind is blowing. The set of chimes hanging from a low branch are tinkling and sweetening the air. My backyard is covered in pine needles and leaves. When the dogs run, I hear the crunching of dead leaves under their paws. Nala is faster and noisier.
I have sad news. My slippers have gone to their heavenly reward. The holes had gotten bigger, the backs stayed flat, and my big toes were totally exposed. Reluctantly I put the slippers in the basket. They served me well.
Other than a lab test for Gwen tomorrow, my dance card is empty. The usual, laundry and trash, can wait for the meantime. Neither needs attention. I have a couple of books waiting to be read, and I even have bonbons.
When I was a kid, I loved the holidays. We had traditions for each of them. Thanksgiving meant watching the Macy’s parade and snacking on tangerines, mixed nuts and M&M’s. My mother put the turkey in the oven early. Her sage stuffing jutted out at one end. I later learned it was the butt end, not the neck. I thought that was gross at first, but the lure of the stuffing was greater than the butt end. My mother stayed in the kitchen most of the morning. She peeled vegetables and opened the can of asparagus for my father. I remember the aroma of turkey filling the house and the windows in the kitchen steaming. I remember one pot which usually held the potatoes. It had a few dents. I can even remember where the dents were. That pot moved with us.
Thanksgiving, of course, wasn’t celebrated in Ghana, but we celebrated. We even had a turkey, the first one I ever remember seeing in Ghana. The farmer didn’t want to part with it but gave in for the money, a good amount of money. We also had a few chickens. We piled them in a big trough like pan and began to pluck them, a skill I haven’t used since then. I’ll never forget when the chickens, without their heads, jumped out of the trough. It was the adage come to life. I knew it was their nervous systems, but that didn’t make it any less freaky. For the rest of the meal we had fufu pounded by students, whatever veggies we could find in the market and pies. That was the first time I ever made a pie. I made pawpaw pies. They were delicious.
This Thanksgiving I have ordered dinner to be delivered, but I’ll start my day traditionally by watching the parade and eating tangerines and M&M’s.
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November 18, 2021 at 12:07 pm
Cold this morning and black ice on the roads, it was at least not boring to drive to the vet 🙂
No thanksgiving celebration over here even though we do have the day here. I’ve never made turkey, they are hard to find in the stores but I have noticed they sometimes sell mini turkeys, I guess they are a smaller variety and not just turkeys that aren’t especially old. I have wondered if I should try and make one but so far I haven’t dared 🙂
Have a great day!
Christer.
November 18, 2021 at 8:26 pm
Hi Christer,
The cold air is coming with a storm behind it. My sister in Colorado had 14˚ yesterday. Her weather gets here a few days later.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday. It is a family getting together to eat and celebrate the day. There are parades and traditional football games. In the town where I once lived, the high school football game rivalry is over 75 years old.
Turkeys can be huge here. I love turkey, but you have to be careful as it could get dry.
Enjoy your day!
November 18, 2021 at 1:30 pm
Hi Kat,
Yesterday we hit a high temperature 84° which is unseasonably warm. This morning the low temperature was 47° but we are expecting a high of only 64°. A cold front came through yesterday afternoon.
I don’t know what are plans are going to be for Thanksgiving. It’s too soon to make a decision. Today we got an email that has extended the mandatory vaccination requirement date until January 18th. Some of my coworkers are going to have to decide if they want to continue working or get vaccinated. We are a government contractor. For me it’s a no brainer I’m vaccinated and I had the booster.
My buddy told me yesterday that a friend of his sent him an article that said that American Airlines had two pilots who died from the Covid vaccine in October. My buddy’s wife works in the pilot training area at the American Airlines headquarters in Ft. Worth. Across from her desk is an employee who handles all the company arrangements when a employee pilot dies. She asked him about the airticle and he replied that it wasn’t true. The misinformation about this pandemic and the vaccines is ridiculous and dangerous. Social media allows anyone with a smart phone and an opinion to broadcast falsehoods to the world. I guess our former President, Trump’s administration would call these falsehoods,”Alternative facts”. 🙁
.
November 18, 2021 at 8:36 pm
Hi Bob,
Today got into the high 60’s. Cold is coming and a rain storm behind it. My sister is in a freeze, in the teens. The weather is crazy.
My booster is next week. The state opened up booster shots for anyone over 18, ahead of the CDC. The governor is trying to stop a sight surge.
Thanksgiving is only a week away. I’m sure many restaurants have lots of reservations. I’m thinking it is time to make decisions. I ordered dinner before it was too late. Last year they filled up quickly, and I was too late so I ordered from somewhere else. This year I paid extra for delivery.
The misinformation is responsible for the anti-vaxxers. They have believed all the foolishness perpetrated by the republicans and our former president. Even now, they fill hospitals. There has to be some way to deal with all of that.
November 19, 2021 at 1:05 am
Hi Kat,
Sorry about your slippers. Will you get new ones? I doubt I’ll celebrate TG, but who knows? It’s getting colder here, and then it warms up. I don’t like it getting dark so early.
I’m trying to get a booster thru the city, so I don’t know when that will be. There are still some people here, who don’t want the Covid shots, but always wear a mask. One of these is a friend of mine, who would like to go out sometime with me. Not sure what to tell her.
I’m actually having someone come over to help me get rid of things on Monday. Any pictures of the spawns of Satan, I’ll save for you.
I found out a friend I knew many years ago died. It is a loss for all who know him, especially the disability community. His name is Neil Marcus.
I’m learning how to use my I-phone!!!
Take Care,
Lori and Ms. Cookie
November 19, 2021 at 11:36 am
Hi Lori,
I usually get a new pair of sippers from my sister for Christmas. As for now, I have another pair.
Even though I am by myself, I celebrate Thanksgiving. I love turkey and all the fixings. Order and have it delivered is perfect for me.
I don’t understand why you are waiting for a booster through the city. I found mine at a drugstore, and I’m sure you can too. It doesn’t cost anything but not getting it costs too much.
There are people everywhere who won’t get the shots. The problem is some don’t self-identify so they don’t wear masks. I would tell people I am not comfortable going out with people who haven’t been vaccinated.
Thanks on the spawns. The I-phone is fun to use.
You stay safe,
Kat and the 4 kids.
November 19, 2021 at 5:44 pm
Kat,
I can find the booster at a drugstore, but if it is though the city, the city will give me a ride. Glad you have another pair of dancing slippers.
Yes, the I-Phone is fun to use.
I won’t go near anyone without a mask, I don’t know about the shots. The woman I mentioned is progressive in every other way.
Take Care,
Love
Lori and Ms. Cookie ( who even though it’s cold today, wants the window open)