In celebration of the holidays I offer these random Thanksgiving thoughts/links courtesy of the web...
1.
Jon Carroll from SFGate has this cleverly alternative take on Thanksgiving wishes..."At Thanksgiving, all we have to worry about is whether we can
wholeheartedly support A) roasted turkey, B) friends and C) gratitude.
My opinions on these matters are unambiguous; I am in favor of them all.
The Squanto-give-corn stuff has been blessedly eliminated from the
iconography, so the thrill of Thanksgiving is undiminished by caveats,
codicils or carps. That alone is something to be thankful for.
Thanksgiving
provides a formal context in which to consider the instances of
kindness that have enlightened our lives, for moments of grace that have
gotten us through when all seemed lost. These are fine and sentimental
subjects for contemplation."
Read the rest here.
2. O. Henry's "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen" is one of those stories you should read if you haven't, and reread if you haven't in a while.
The ironic author describes Thanksgiving as an American holiday that's grown as popular as anything the Europeans have created because of our "git-up and enterprise".
"Stuffy Pete took his seat on the third bench to the right as you
enter Union Square from the east, at the walk opposite the fountain.
Every Thanksgiving Day for nine years he had taken his seat there
promptly at 1 o'clock. For every time he had done so things had happened
to him--Charles Dickensy things that swelled his waistcoat above his
heart, and equally on the other side.
But to-day Stuffy Pete's
appearance at the annual trysting place seemed to have been rather the
result of habit than of the yearly hunger which, as the philanthropists
seem to think, afflicts the poor at such extended intervals."
Read the rest here.
3. Here you can hear Rick Mercer explain how Canadian Thanksgiving differs from American Thanksgiving.
4. NPR offers up an iPod playlist for those looking for musical inspiration - Songs For Stuffing.
Most inspired suggestions? "Everybody Eats When They Come to My House," by Cab Calloway, "Pecan Pie," by Golden Smog and "Pass the Peas," by The JB's.
5. And, of course, what would the net be without wacky Thanksgiving videos...
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.