Around Here, We Just Call It “Thursday”
Gratitude fever is sweeping the internet today. Almost everywhere you turn in the blogosphere, there’s a post about how thankful people are. It’s American Thanksgiving and it’s an event like no other. Even though the Thanksgiving holiday exists in other countries–in Canada we eat ourselves into a coma on the second Monday in October–I think Thanksgiving may be the uniquely defining American experience. The pomp, the mythology, the balloons!!!
Whereas where I’m from Thanksgiving is pretty much a long weekend with pie, in the States it’s a celebration of national identity. There are the nation building plays celebrating the historic meeting of the Pilgrims and the Indians, the recycling of the building blocks of cultural identity, the reaffirmation that no matter how far away from the original vision you’ve strayed, you are still as American as the apple pie you’ll be serving for dessert.
Canadian Thanksgiving is quite probably my least favourite holiday, but I love watching the American version. The gluttony of green bean casseroles topped with marshmallows (wtf?), the orgy of shopping (which reminds me, tomorrow is Buy Nothing Day you know), the parade with the giant balloons, and most of all, the way every family seems, if only for a couple of hours, to believe that they could possibly be the Waltons…all of it charms me in a way that “Monday off with pie” does not.
So, Happy Thanksgiving, America. I’m thankful that even in the midst of all the swirling controversy and animosity in the world today, you can still inflate those balloons, toss around those pigskins, and celebrate your mythical origins with pride (and pie).
Comment by Lady M
“Thursday off with Turkey” about does it for us. We tried to make conversation over dinner about thanks, but it mostly ended up being an apple juice containment activity.
Posted on November 22, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Comment by Heather C.
Anything topped with marshmallows is a seriously good thing.Toss in a dysfunctional family and it’s even better.
Posted on November 22, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Comment by thordora
yeah, I don’t get the green bean thing, or the fevered rush to “go home”. What’s the point?
Man. How Canadian is THAT?
Posted on November 23, 2007 at 8:44 am
Comment by Nikki
Hi there. Just wanted to say, that the green been casserole is with Campbell’s mushroom soup and french’s fried onions. The marshmallos, however, go on top of the sweet potatoes (or yams) along with cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg. Delish!
Posted on November 23, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Comment by KT
Nikki is right about the (contents of the) greenbean casserole… But it’s still evil :p
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday… All the food and fun of Christmas without the shopping!
Posted on November 24, 2007 at 8:17 am
Comment by Kimberly
Yeah, I gotta say, that green bean thing sounds even nastier now. At least before there were marshmallows.
I’d say Americans are weird, but we have poutine, so I suppose it’s a draw.
Posted on November 24, 2007 at 9:26 am
Comment by landismom
Isn’t there some seal blubber eating tradition, too? I have to say, the green bean casserole grosses me out, and is not universal–I did not grow up eating it, and neither did my dh.
Posted on November 24, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Comment by KT
Ha! Who isn’t weird? And poutine? Kicks A@@! (Course I wouldn’t drive across the bridge just for that…
)
Posted on November 25, 2007 at 11:56 am
Trackback by Anonymous
Errotica Karas For Men
Said and grows Black Diamond giants once men karas for errotica. Gwen Summers alive despite.
Posted on December 13, 2007 at 10:33 am