BY TONY CHEONG: God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” — William A. Ward
I've culled some facts about Thanksgiving. Perhaps you'll learn a thing or two, as I did. Perhaps you can pass info on to your children for fun. Following are a handful of facts with, of course, my commentaries (did you think I'd just recite facts without getting my gobbles in?):
BY TONY CHEONG: God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” — William A. Ward
I've culled some facts about Thanksgiving. Perhaps you'll learn a thing or two, as I did. Perhaps you can pass info on to your children for fun. Following are a handful of facts with, of course, my commentaries (did you think I'd just recite facts without getting my gobbles in?):
— FACT: The pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, organized the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621. He invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians. The Indians had taught the pilgrims how to cultivate their land. COMMENT: The good will didn't last. Disagreements over land led to the bloodiest of the Indian Wars about a year after the feast. Oy. Sometimes it's hard to stay optimistic about the human race;
— FACT: Mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, popcorn, milk, corn on the cob, and cranberries were not foods present on the first Thanksgiving table. COMMENT: No mash? No pies? Whaaa???;
–FACT: Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States. COMMENT: Even Ben had a bad idea now and again. Really? The oddball turkey over the majestic eagle? I mean, frightened domestic turkeys will usually run until they reach a corner or fence or some other barrier to progress, but even then they may continue their efforts to escape, piling onto each other and suffocating those at the bottom of the heap. Nothing against turkeys, but I don't want them to symbolize the United States of America;
–FACT: Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented a live turkey and two dressed turkeys to the president. The president does not eat the live turkey. He "pardons" it and allows it to live out its days on a historical farm. COMMENT: This is one of the silliest traditions we have. Why are we pardoning one turkey? As if he committed some crime he needs to be forgiven for?;
–FACT: Americans aren't the only ones who celebrate Thanksgiving. Canadians celebrate the holiday in October. COMMENT: Hey neighbors, hope you put on your toques and enjoyed your feast, eh?
Alas, I must end with "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving." If you recall, the Peanuts gang dines on TWO dinners. The first is served by Charlie Brown at his house. It consists of buttered toast, jellybeans, pretzel sticks and popcorn. Linus opens with a poetic statement about the meaning of Thanksgiving, but Peppermint Patty upbraids Chuck for botching her meal (she later apologizes).
The second is at Charlie Brown's grandmother's house. On the way there, Linus sings, "Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House We Go," and the following exchange occurs.
Charlie Brown: "Well, there's only one thing wrong with that."
Linus: "What's that, Charlie Brown?"
Charlie Brown: "My grandmother lives in a condominium."
Happy Thanksgiving to all. Enjoy your meal, wherever you eat it. And don't forget to give thanks.
Do you have a comment, question or news tip for Tony? Email her at tonyontown@yahoo.com.
