Turkey, Wookie and Barf

This Thanksgiving is like all others because we'll have family coming over, we'll have a big spread and we'll have the game playing in the back-ground...whats not to like eh? We do have a lot to be thankful for. We also have a lot to think about this year and can't just hide our collective heads in the sand, that would be disastrous to all our forthcoming Thanksgivings. But for now let us truly take more than a moment to be giving thanks that we do have a warm home, plenty of food and great family to share it with. If this is not your situation then I hope this for you, I hope that your fortune changes; I hope that by this time next year you will have found friends whom you can share this day with in joy and thanksgiving, yes like the Pilgrims.

I have a lot to be thankful for so this year I'm pledging that, as in years past but not recently, I will find a charity who serves thanksgiving dinner and help out even if it's just taking out the trash. I don't want to be the big cheese nor do I have to as a volunteer, I just want to do my part no matter how small. Next year I want to invite one or two people, who have no family in this city, to join us for dinner and enjoy their company, like we used to. This is something we must do in order to understand what Thanksgiving is all about and to be human, share the joy of the day and share the moment with those who might not have the opportunity otherwise. If I don't do this then this day, as it was first celebrated, is for naught.

I often wonder what happened between us and France that we are not as great of allies as we should be. France did so much for the US during the revolution and that should have blossomed into a filial relationship. I know that most of the reason behind the help of France was to kick King George's arsh but non the less the people of France were at one time pro-American. The proof is the colors of the flag, the statue of liberty and a lot of our customs that derive from France. If I haven't said it before let me say it now, I talk about the people of a given nation in whom we befriend, not the government. Also we don't have to be just like them to be good neighbors and friends, just look at our families...ok let's not. Any way in honor of our two countries on this day I want to share something that is both all American and all French...Chewbacca winning the Tour de France. Now that's something to give thanks about!

And lastly how about our overindulgence which leads to hang-overs and bathroom camping, not pretty but this to is a tradition for some, not me the other some. So in honor of this long standing annual event I present to you a Mog, that's man-dog who's name is Barf.  As the late-great John Candy said in the movie 'Space Balls'," ...I'm half man and half dog, I'm my own best friend!..." This year I'm going to be my own best friend and live a life of thanksgiving year round.

If I see you on the road this holiday stop at my house and share some Turkey. Peace to you, your loved ones and our Nation.