GIVING THANKS

For those of us in the US and Canada, today is the celebration of Thanksgiving. It is a time to celebrate the harvest and the blessings of the past year. Americans traditionally model the festivities based on historical descriptions of a harvest feast shared by the pilgrims who settled in Plymouth and Wampanoag people who lived there before the pilgrims. Although not sharing a language, these two groups of people shared food and friendship.

I'm not sure if the pilgrims and Wampanoag people truly ate turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, and potatoes. Having lived in different regions of the US, I've discovered that what constitutes the Thanksgiving meal, aside from the turkey, varies considerably, handed down within families and then blended with other family's traditions. But one thing stays the same. The idea of giving thanks.

This year has been a stressful one, not just here, but worldwide. A pandemic, weather systems that have broken records, massive fires, economic upheaval, and unrest. Yet, there are still things to be thankful for:

• The continued efforts and dedication of our first responders and health care workers who have given so much
• The resilience and adaptability of people and businesses, including schools and colleges, to come up with innovative means to meet needs from telehealth to shipping and delivery
• The scientists and the volunteers who are working hard on developing a vaccine and better approaches to reduce the spread of COVID-19
• The health and well-being of my family, friends, and colleagues, providing support and laughs as we all deal with cabin fever
• As always, I give thanks to my fellow authors for their encouragement, and, of course, to my readers. What are you thankful for?

BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

(or a happy Thursday if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving)

Ever wonder about the tradition of Black Friday? Check it out here: https://www.history.com/news/whats-the-real-history-of-black-friday

In the spirit of the holiday season... 

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