You Put our National Bird In the Oven?

If I were to believe the American media, I would have to accept that the entire US is out shopping right now.  It's a day that is called Black Friday, and it has become some kind of made-up preposterous consumer oriented day.   My email inbox is up to about 4,200 emails, most of them are ads for the best prices on things I don't need.  The TV and radio are bludgeoning my ears and eyes with more of the same.  Even the home pages on the Internet are trying to convince me to shop.

Click here to listen to Black Friday by Steely Dan, which has nothing to do with the shopping day after Thanksgiving.


I am not a shopper on the best of days (more on this another time) so there's no way I'm going to trot myself out there with the masses.  But it is a good day to reflect on things I'm thankful for, and update the blog, and try and get caught up on some household stuff.  The funny thing is my husband had a dentist appointment this morning and called when it was over to say he bought a new dishwasher.  Huh?  I guess even the dentist is cashing in on Black Friday.  He's really branched out.


Our Thanksgiving Feast is held at my parents house, a few towns over, in North Jersey.   It is just the immediate family, 12 in all.  We start with shots for everyone... flu shots that is.  My dad, a physician, lines us up and immunizes us all first thing.  This used to be a moment the kids dreaded when they were younger, but they handle it quite well now.  As I type this, the dull ache in my right arm reminds me that I'll be protected when my co-workers get hit this winter.

We then have a prolonged cocktail hour, where my dad or brother has invented a new Thanksgiving drink.  This year, the Turkey-tinis proved undrinkable... I didn't even have the nerve to sample one made from the pan drippings of my brother's Kosher turkey and vodka.  We switched over to crantinis (last year's hit) made from vodka soaked cranberries and vodka and a splash of cranberry juice.  (By the way, these were also known as Sukkah-tinis during Sukkot, and will probably return again during the winter season, as they are tart, delicious, colorful and strong!  Kris Kringle-tinis anyone?)


At the dinner table we usually go around and tell what we are thankful for, though we did not last night.  Instead Mom read from a great article from the New York Times.  You can read it too, by clicking here.  If you don't feel like reading the whole thing... the upshot is this: take time to be thankful.  Thanksgiving is a great time to start, obviously, but the author, John Tierney, suggests a "gratitude journal" to help you out.


A few days ago, however, a colleague did ask me what I was thankful for... and my answer was my family.  I am grateful for them everyday, and I hope that they know that.  Before this weekend is over, I think I'll tell them just to make sure.  When I asked her, she replied that she felt overcome with a feeling of gratitude that day.  I must admit, I have been enjoying that feeling as well.


A few other items that would make it into my gratitude journal?


I'm very grateful for my good health.  I'm even more grateful that those I love continue to be healthy and I know how precious this is.


I'm also very grateful that I can work at what I love to do.  My work is incredibly rewarding and I am continually growing and learning. That must be the secret of life.  So there you have it!


If I'm counting my blessings publicly, which appears to be the case, I'm also very thankful that after a few very intense years of some amount of negativity and stress, I've made some changes and have an outstanding work-home balance.


Last year this little gem was unearthed from my parents' archives.  

As you can see, even at the young age of eight I was an appreciative soul.  And I think it's also clear I did not inherit my artistic mother's talents! I'll also leave the question of the frowning boyfriend up to the psychologists out there!

So,  I would really like to know... what are YOU thankful for? 




P.S.  I know that this may have limited audience appeal, but this is what we grew up with, our Thanksgiving story.  Thank you Stan Freberg, 1961.  Enjoy.
Stan Freberg's Thanksgiving Story