Thanksgiving Day in America
For friends across the great pond…..
Thursday is Thanksgiving Day in America, a special time which from my point of interest is how the Americans come together at the dinner table and share food and conversation with one another. In a world of tv dinners we should be grateful for such opportunities and make more of them.
I can’t say that I am an expert on this, if memory serves me right then President Bush will pardon a turkey, perhaps he’ll pardon a lame duck for the Brits-our Prime Minister! Sorry, I’ve been a bit too political of late so to make ammends I’m going anti-establishment with this one.
One thing that struck me the other day was how our youth culture has changed over the past forty years and how so few of our young people seem interested in political and current affairs. Obviously this doesn’t apply to every young person out there but I just feel that kids are less angry about what really matters and more angry about what doesn’t. We seem to have gone from a world of University uprisings and peace marches to drug related stabbings and shootings without any natural progression and with it has gone a big part of youth culture’s identity.
Think back to the young American’s of the sixties and seventies, they, along with the music and their social expressions helped define a period of time which I don’t think has ever been matched. Whatever your viewpoint at that time or indeed now, you have to admit that they stood for what they believed in. It led me to think about the nineties and this decade thus far and how they will be remembered for whatever reason, one of my best commentators, Dave from NYC made me realise how little I know about modern music because all I buy and listen to is pre mid eighties. In a world of American Idol and British Pop Idol who will be viewed as a genuine musical icon of this century?
So I give thanks to the previous generations of young Americans who helped shape the last really interesting and rewarding period of modern history, socially, politically and musically. It might be that some of that generation are reading this, so if you are then Happy Thanksgiving wherever you are.
This one’s for you…..
As always, great post! Your comments about current youth culture are so observant. And thanks for the Happy Thanksgiving shout from across the pond. I grew up in the 60s, so Jim Morrison was part of my time (although he was never a favorite). I was more into guys like Paul Butterfield (among other blues performers). And from your side of town, Eric Clapton.
And yes, this day of giving thanks is a nice reprieve from all the political ranting over here. Suffice to say, it’s been pretty bad.
Thanks, Miles. I appreciate it!
Melissa
November 25, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Thanks for the nice words. Thanksgiving was never my favorite holiday as a kid, or even a teen. It wasn’t until I was older that I grew to appreciate the meaning of the day. Now I look forward to it for weeks, planning the menu - finding the perfect wine - talking to my butcher about where the bird is from (this year a farm in NJ that has been free range since 1938). I start prep work on Tuesday night - have to make cornbread for the Andouille/cornbread stuffing. And when it is all done, seconds and thirds have been eaten and the guests have left, I am about as content as I ever get. I used to wonder if Sunday dinners were like this 100 years ago. Life, while harder, was much simpler.
As far as the youth today - don’t worry about them. I know a lot of college and high school age kids and would say that this is the best generation in decades. Maybe not musically, but they are sharp, focused individuals - and they have a real solid grip of the way the world works. The sense of entitlement that the generations born in the 80s and raised in the 90s is gone, and that is very refreshing. The future, for a change, is actually in pretty good hands. Maybe not so much the present, but oh well, all things will pass. As Pete Townsend wrote years ago, “The Kids are Alright” Happy Thanksgiving all.
November 25, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
Melissa & Dave
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you.
I enjoy reading your comments and the interesting contributions you make to the topics of the day.
Dave, I felt heartened by your comments of the youth over there and good to hear some positive observations.
Have a great day.
Elsie
November 25, 2008 @ 9:41 pm
Melissa,
I’m sure you mean that you were born in the 60’s but grew up in the 70’s
Must say that you have a pretty fine taste in music. Have a happy gluten free thanksgiving.
Miles
November 25, 2008 @ 10:44 pm
Dave,
You’re begining to sound like a ‘pipe and slippers’ man!! Seriously, thanks for that, a wise comment and its nice to get a perspective from across the waters. That’s what I want on here. Your meal sounds superb, I shall think of you all and wish you a happy and peaceful day.
Miles
November 25, 2008 @ 10:46 pm
Elsie and Miles,
Thank you both. There is no need for this to be solely an American holiday. It’s a great feeling to sit back after a great meal with family and friends and think how privileged we truly are. Things may get tough from time to time, but at least we have food on our table, roofs over our heads, and people to share it with. I think we all forget this . My wife spends every Thanksgiving day at a food shelter for the homeless - it makes me feel ashamed sometimes I don’t do more. Taking the time for reflection and giving thanks seems a small price to pay for the blessings we have been granted.
All that being said, the usual bitching and complaining resume friday morning. Have a great day, I will raise a glass (or 5) in your honor. Imagine corresponding with folks on a daily basis you have never met - amazing.
Dave
November 26, 2008 @ 5:08 am
Miles, Dave, Elsie, et al…
Thank you all. Wish we could share a toast to peace for all. (A cyber one at the least.) Yes, Dave, “imagine” finding friends you’ve never met. “Imagine.” Speaking of music, good sentiment from one of yours, Miles.
I love Thanksgiving as well. It is important to stop and take the time to appreciate what we have and to give thanks.
And Dave, my cornbread for stuffing will be made from maize and quinoa flours. Right Miles, it will be a gluten-free meal and no one will be the wiser. In fact, being forced to find alternatives has been a blessing in disguise. I use everything from mesquite flour to hazelnut to coconut to millet to chestnut (I could go on, but you get the idea). My refrigerator has its own alternative grain/flour department. When things wind down, I’ll fill you in on the newest kid on the flour block.
Cabernet flour! Yes, made from a byproduct of cabernet winemaking and it’s gluten-free. Plus, it’s high in resveratrol, the anti-oxidant that helps keep your heart healthy. How cool is that? Other than it’s purple.
:-)
Melissa
November 26, 2008 @ 7:37 am
Dave,
Wise words indeed and your wife puts us all to shame with her generous nature.
You’re right it should be a time for reflection and we all need to allow ourselves time in which to do so. Sure we all go back to the daily routine of moaning and groaning but deep down we’re glad to have shared a moment to enjoy the important things in life.
I’ll raise a shot of cough medicine in your direction!
I am continually amazed at the positives that can be gleaned from the internet and the fact that it allows people from different countries and cultures to share their experiences in such a way.
Perhaps we should give thanks to that-I stop short at Bill Gates though!
Have a great day.
Miles
November 26, 2008 @ 7:44 am
Melissa and Dave,
I rather fancy the thought of Thanksgiving too and like Miles, will raise a glass to all of you across the great pond. Let us know how it all goes and what you had to eat.
Here’s to fine food, friends and family!
Cid
November 26, 2008 @ 8:42 am
Miles,
I think it’s your turn to host this year’s Thanksgiving, what a splendid idea!
Whatever you serve we’ll all be truly grateful and not too raucous (’cept for Elsie
) I, on the other hand, will sit quietly pondering on Melissa’s purple medicinal compound and how to incorporate it into the next batch of macaron.
Cid
November 26, 2008 @ 9:08 am
Melissa and all above,
.
Cabernet flour indeed! I am amazed and think this could be a new trend! I reckon that there would be plenty of uptake in this country.
I feel purple cakes coming on
I love this blog and the comments, very inspirational.
The Nean household will also be raising a glass to you all.
A speedy recovery Miles - steam baths and hinhaling for you
Elsie
November 26, 2008 @ 9:38 am
Miles, Sorry I can’t fix up a medicinal soup for you. I’m good at that. Take care of yourself.
Elsie, I’m connected to so many blogs over here, but I find I keep coming back to Miles’ blog because of the friendly and conversational nature of all the participants. I’d love to come visit and eat a big English meal (although I’d have to be careful of the ingredients) and drink a bit of wine and share in the glow!
Cid, thank you for sending good vibes across the pond!
Geez, I’m acting like this is my blog. I have people I haven’t responded to on my own! I better get to that.
Peace to all,
Melissa
November 26, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Melissa,
You’re welcome to take over for the next few weeks-I’m slightly preoccupied in my professional alter ego
Miles
November 26, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
Cid,
Fat chance!!
Miles (full of humbug)
November 26, 2008 @ 2:05 pm