a good gobble

~ jama

“If you think about a Thanksgiving dinner, it’s really like making a large chicken.” ~ Ina Garten

Art by Mary Engelbreit

 

Just wanted to pop in briefly to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

I’ll be away from the blog until next week, since I’ll be busy turkey plucking, cranberry gathering, green bean snapping, potato mashing, and pie baking eating devouring.

(Okay, fine. So I’m getting a little help from Whole Foods this year . . .)

Still, I must be in full concentration mode as I dig out the big platters and serving dishes, wash plates, goblets and silverware that don’t often see the light of day, and — my favorite part — set the table. 🙂

 

Art by Kelsey Garrity-Riley

 

Here are some things I am especially thankful for this year:

1. My father turned 104 years old on November 17. He has been in a slow decline since contracting pneumonia recently, and is not on his computer anymore. It’s been touch and go; we weren’t sure he’d make it till his birthday, but he did. This is something he wanted to do, so he did it. We remain in awe of his resiliency, and are thankful for each day he chooses to remain with us in this world.

2. There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak of the California wild fires. We are so grateful for the courage and strength of the firefighters, first responders, rescue workers, and forensic teams who continue to labor above and beyond. In the painful aftermaths of this and other recent tragedies (Pittsburgh, Thousand Oaks, Puerto Rico, Parkland), unsung heroes have given us hope by proving that human beings are capable of infinite goodness.

3. I am relieved and thankful that as a result of the midterm elections, a check on the executive branch has been restored. Faced with an egregious lack of leadership in this country, we have seen that our votes and our voices do matter and can make a difference.

4. Though it’s been a tough 2 years with our democracy being challenged at every turn, I am actually grateful for the enormous wake-up call. Since we have a President who has succeeded at bringing out the worst in this country (instances of hate, racism, bigotry, violence, xenophobia, corporate corruption, incivility, moral bankruptcy), we’ve all been forced to re-evaluate what it means to be good citizens, and to take action when and where we can. I do think for too long we took for granted what we “thought” we had all along. As flawed human beings, too often we value something more when faced with losing it (e.g., free speech).

5. Artists, musicians, writers, and creatives of all kinds: thankful for how their work sustains and inspires me each and every day. Much is being destroyed in this world. I stand wholeheartedly with those who devote their lives to making, building, birthing, uplifting.

6. YOU.

What are you especially thankful for this year?

 

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 🍗 HAPPY GOBBLING! 🍗

 

“What I love about Thanksgiving is that it’s purely about getting together with friends or family and enjoying food. It’s really for everybody, and it doesn’t matter where you’re from.” ~ Daniel Humm

“I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage.” ~ Erma Bombeck

Copyright © 2018 Jama Rattigan of Jama’s Alphabet Soup. All rights reserved.

24 thoughts on “a good gobble”

  3. Agh~hit enter before I was done. Gratitudes at present?

    ~That I’m heavily involved with my Littles~that I got to spend my niece’s first night on earth, cuddling her. And that, to spend the holidays with them, I only have to drive a few miles instead of the expense/hassle of air travel now.

    ~Glad that my father had his major heart surgery while visiting back here so we could help take care of him and my parents’ subsequent decision to relocate here next spring.

    ~SO grateful to have a full-time job at a school that I love~and glad that I’m still teaching one class. My students are such a joy.

    ~Inspired by your father’s longevity as I head into my 49th year.

    ~Thrilled that we’re in the week of pie eating!!!

    ~Happy to have met you this year. Happy happy birthday to you!!!! xo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What a beautiful list, Laurie!! Family is everything — I’m so glad things worked out with your dad’s surgery. And hooray for your new job and that you still get to teach a class! Have a wonderful pie day on Thursday with the Littles and everyone else. Yum!

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  4. Dear Jama,
    I am grateful for the beauty & joy you share with us each week. I love the art work you choose, your wonderful way with words and all that I learn from you. Thank you for sharing your gifts.

    Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving!

    With Appreciation,
    Patricia

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Patricia! Appreciate your taking the time to read my blog. Sending you all best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving!!

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  5. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Jama!

    As Joni Mitchell wrote in Big Yellow Taxi, “Don’t it always seem to go/That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.” That applies to so much more than cut-down trees these days.

    Things I’m grateful for: good health for me and M, access to good doctors to maintain our health, electricity, clean water, working toilets, enough food, nice shelter (we have a friend who didn’t even have that for a few months), democracy (so far; it’s so fragile and must be protected even in Canada),
    And good books, good writers, good blogs, and good friends.

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    1. It’s always good to count our blessings, especially for basic necessities others in this world don’t have. Thanks for visiting, Barb!

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  6. I am thankful for my friends and family, especially my children and grandchildren. I am thankful for uplifting people like you and Susan Branch. I am most thankful for our beautiful world and books!!! I could go on and on…

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    1. Family and friends are everything, aren’t they? I’m thankful for loyal blog readers like you who keep me going. Have a beautiful and delicious Thanksgiving, Joanne!

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  7. Oh, I’m so glad your Dad’s still with you. He really has beaten all the odds, and given you the gift of his presence for a delightfully long time. Thank you for the yearly reminder to check our privileges and be grateful for them. Happy T-day to you and Len – I imagine your table will be splendid!

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    1. Yes, we’re blessed with each day that he’s still with us. Have a blessed Thanksgiving. I’m sure you and Tech Boy will cook up a fabulous feast!

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  9. Happy Thanksgiving to you all—especially our marvelous host, Jama! I’m thankful for my glasses and for water, for family, for reading and writing (especially poetry), for hope, and for kindness.

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  11. I’ve been with the girls all day, but wanted to tell you Happy Thanksgiving along with Happy Birthday! I am certainly thankful for you, Jama. You bring smiles everywhere, and the Tuesday posts are favorites I look for. It’s wonderful to hear about your father, and I wish him good days as long as they can be. I am so grateful for my family, and like you, grateful that our election day turned out better than expected, filling many with hope in the new year. Thanks for every bit!

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    1. Have a beautiful and delicious Thanksgiving with your family, Linda. We are blessed my Dad is still with us, and each day is precious. Election Day was so stressful but as you said, the results give us hope. Lots more work to be done, but this is a good start!

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  13. Happy Thanksgiving, Jama. I was outvoted this year and we are *also* getting a little (okay, a lot) of help from Whole Foods. We are going to relax and enjoy the time together. I do get to bake, at least: cinnamon raisin sourdough bread and a pan of brownies. Wishing you a restful holiday.

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    1. Thank goodness for Whole Foods. They do make the holiday less stressful. 🙂 Hope your Thanksgiving was relaxing and extra delicious. Yum to your home baked treats!

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