Doug: We're swiping this image today, because it's awesome! For those of you in the States and all those who are grateful for blessings received, enjoy the day and the weekend. We'll be back with regular programming on Monday!
My wife had a knee replacement a few weeks ago and has been in a physical therapy placement for the last eleven days. We were able to get her home for Thanksgiving, a meal my lovely daughters are preparing.
We're lucky to all be together enjoying what smells right now to be a doozy of a meal.
In the midst of enjoying "small" family traditions in the HBCastleKeep. An unusual year w/ no extended family visiting. Big Breakfast, during and after which HBDaught & I dissected the Broadway numbers (LORD the offerings from ELF and BRING IT ON were astonishingly weak)and various musical acts. HBSon home from college--- dragging around like one of the Undead. . . waiting for football to start. Lovely HBSpouse just beginning to do a bit of Simple Feast preparation. It's a nice day to be in our house.
We'll be getting our Christmas tree tomorrow morn-!
Really, for us (well, the kids & I) the holiday season is one huge marathon that starts in mid-October, with each one getting its own attention in the big lead-up to Christmas. We've originated and established enough family traditions over the years to sustain an entirely new culture. . .
This community is something I am thankful for -- much appreciation for everyone who reads our content each day, but especially those of you who've "gone public" by leaving us fodder for further thought each day.
This Thanksgiving is a mixed bag for our family. My wife's paternal grandmother, 97 years of age, has been in the "last days" for about three weeks. In fact, the nurses from hospice told my father-in-law last Wednesday that the end could come within 24 hours. But Grandma's hanging in!
She's been a true matriarch to the family, a very caring woman. She's a sports nut, having raised two sons who were exceptional athletes and went on to very long coaching careers of their own. Her concern then spilled to the newest generations, as she regularly wanted to know the outcomes of my sons' games -- from the time they entered athletics as 5-year olds to now, as our youngest has just wrapped up his freshman season of college soccer. It was not uncommon, if she'd not heard a score or how they played, to get a phone call at 10:30 as we were heading to bed, she wanting to check in.
So this is a time of celebration, but with a lingering sense of loss in the offing. Certainly it's a time for reflection and indeed -- the counting of one's blessings in life.
To all you BABsters, a very happy Thanksgiving! Whatever your plans today, I wish you all the very best, and like my partner, I'm grateful for the sense of community you've forged here.
Rip -glad to hear your family will be together for the holiday.
Doug -a time of mixed feelings to be sure. I hope that in being with your family you will find comfort.
Thanksgiving is not a holiday in Trinidad. Mostly expatriates or people with close ties to the USA usually celebrate it. Of course, with the influence of cable TV, some USA customs trickle down here, e.g. I've noticed locals having Halloween parties over the past few years.
For Trinis, the main holiday is Christmas. While turkey is consumed in small quantities (usually the deli variety), our tastes run more to ham, sorrel (a red drink made from boiled sorrel petals)and pastelles (a steamed pie made of cornflour and filled with beef or chicken and wrapped in banana leaves).
As for Black Friday, most Trinis shop in the malls, or order stuff online. If you mentioned Black Friday to a Trinidadian, he'll immediately think of Friday 13th! Personally, I've been shocked to see CNN footage of people in America literally trampling on each other rushing into stores. While Trinidad has its social problems, that's one thing we've never experienced down here!
- Mike 'let the holiday shopping begin' from Trinidad & Tobago.
Doug, sorry to hear about your wife's grandmother. I know how it is to lose a loved one (both of my parents have passed away). She sounds like a real fighter.
You should cherish her memory and make sure your kids know all about her. It's said that great people never truly die if we keep them in our hearts.
To all you Bronze Agers, best wishes on this Thanksgiving Day. Hope your blessings are many , and your day filled with peace. Thanks to you all for helping bring a bit of pleasure to each day!
Happy turkey day to everyone out there!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to turkey and stuffing (or is it dressing?). I don't need anything other than that.
I'm especially thankful to all BABers here..
ReplyDeleteSo is my buldging Bronze/Silver collection, from all the GREAT reviews and discussion abounding.
I'm looking forward to keeping my Mrs calm with all the hustle-bustle going on, she's doing lots of baking.
Blessings to everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteMy wife had a knee replacement a few weeks ago and has been in a physical therapy placement for the last eleven days. We were able to get her home for Thanksgiving, a meal my lovely daughters are preparing.
We're lucky to all be together enjoying what smells right now to be a doozy of a meal.
I'm very very thankful!
Rip Off
Peace and joy to all bronze-agers!
ReplyDeleteIn the midst of enjoying "small" family traditions in the HBCastleKeep. An unusual year w/ no extended family visiting. Big Breakfast, during and after which HBDaught & I dissected the Broadway numbers (LORD the offerings from ELF and BRING IT ON were astonishingly weak)and various musical acts. HBSon home from college--- dragging around like one of the Undead. . . waiting for football to start. Lovely HBSpouse just beginning to do a bit of Simple Feast preparation. It's a nice day to be in our house.
ReplyDeleteWe'll be getting our Christmas tree tomorrow morn-!
Really, for us (well, the kids & I) the holiday season is one huge marathon that starts in mid-October, with each one getting its own attention in the big lead-up to Christmas. We've originated and established enough family traditions over the years to sustain an entirely new culture. . .
HB
Yeah, yeah, that's right, rub it in for those of us outside of the U.S. ... grumble, grumble...
ReplyDeleteNah, just kidding - Happy Thanksgiving to all.
This community is something I am thankful for -- much appreciation for everyone who reads our content each day, but especially those of you who've "gone public" by leaving us fodder for further thought each day.
ReplyDeleteThis Thanksgiving is a mixed bag for our family. My wife's paternal grandmother, 97 years of age, has been in the "last days" for about three weeks. In fact, the nurses from hospice told my father-in-law last Wednesday that the end could come within 24 hours. But Grandma's hanging in!
She's been a true matriarch to the family, a very caring woman. She's a sports nut, having raised two sons who were exceptional athletes and went on to very long coaching careers of their own. Her concern then spilled to the newest generations, as she regularly wanted to know the outcomes of my sons' games -- from the time they entered athletics as 5-year olds to now, as our youngest has just wrapped up his freshman season of college soccer. It was not uncommon, if she'd not heard a score or how they played, to get a phone call at 10:30 as we were heading to bed, she wanting to check in.
So this is a time of celebration, but with a lingering sense of loss in the offing. Certainly it's a time for reflection and indeed -- the counting of one's blessings in life.
All -- be well.
Doug
To all you BABsters, a very happy Thanksgiving! Whatever your plans today, I wish you all the very best, and like my partner, I'm grateful for the sense of community you've forged here.
ReplyDeleteRip -glad to hear your family will be together for the holiday.
Doug -a time of mixed feelings to be sure. I hope that in being with your family you will find comfort.
Karen
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving is not a holiday in Trinidad. Mostly expatriates or people with close ties to the USA usually celebrate it. Of course, with the influence of cable TV, some USA customs trickle down here, e.g. I've noticed locals having Halloween parties over the past few years.
For Trinis, the main holiday is Christmas. While turkey is consumed in small quantities (usually the deli variety), our tastes run more to ham, sorrel (a red drink made from boiled sorrel petals)and pastelles (a steamed pie made of cornflour and filled with beef or chicken and wrapped in banana leaves).
As for Black Friday, most Trinis shop in the malls, or order stuff online. If you mentioned Black Friday to a Trinidadian, he'll immediately think of Friday 13th! Personally, I've been shocked to see CNN footage of people in America literally trampling on each other rushing into stores. While Trinidad has its social problems, that's one thing we've never experienced down here!
- Mike 'let the holiday shopping begin' from Trinidad & Tobago.
Sorry, forgot to mention this ....
ReplyDeleteDoug, sorry to hear about your wife's grandmother. I know how it is to lose a loved one (both of my parents have passed away). She sounds like a real fighter.
You should cherish her memory and make sure your kids know all about her. It's said that great people never truly die if we keep them in our hearts.
- Mike from Trinidad & Tobago.
To all you Bronze Agers, best wishes on this Thanksgiving Day. Hope your blessings are many , and your day filled with peace. Thanks to you all for helping bring a bit of pleasure to each day!
ReplyDelete