28 November 2013

It's Time To Give Thanks...
And that means time with family, friends, or simply those in need of an ear to listen or a shoulder to lean upon.
The Hoosierland weather will be cold, with temps barely climbing into the 30s. And still a chance of a few flurries here and there.
With that said, let's get to the "meat and potatoes" of today's post (pun INTENDED).
*** First out of the oven today is the answer to yesterday's Motto of the Week aka WHO SAID THAT?
"Experience is one thing you can't get for nothing.."
This was spoken by none other than OSCAR WILDE, and here is his WIKI:
NO...I am NOT Doctor Who.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Wilde
I'll let you use part of the day to fill yourselves in on his life and times.
Moving on...
*** Yes, today IS Thanksgiving, and this day has a WIKI as well:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_day#In_the_United_States
It's a time to reflect...and think about those who sacrifice for US every day...and give thanks.
And, if anyone tells you it was FDR that proposed Thanksgiving as a holiday...tell them they're full of crap.
It was ABRAHAM LINCOLN who FIRST proposed this SPECIFIC day for ALL the states as a celebratory occasion.
The FIRST Thanksgiving?
This was by proclamation in 1863.
Take THAT, you progressive democrats!
All FDR did was CHANGE the day, not create it.
And our times have changed, seriously
Rather, today has become a day to SHOP...and that's inherently wrong, even though I do embrace capitalism.
Again, we hearken back to Ben Franklin and his "everything in moderation" gig.
We can just as easily shop BEFORE Thanksgiving or AFTER...just not DURING.
(makes me miss the old BLUE LAWS that banned stores being open on Sunday)
Today is a time to sit down, and think about ALL that we truly have to be thankful for...and like I said, the list for every one of us is LONG.
(or you ain't keeping track...LOL)
So, aside from the food, the parades, and yes, even the football, set a few minutes for yourself to stop and think about all that has allowed you to be HERE...NOW, and then be thankful for that.
With thanks comes appreciation and gratitude...two important facets of the human condition that we really cannot do without.
And the best part about being thankful...you don't HAVE to relegate it JUST to this day...
It can extend into the other 364 days of our year...
The price for doing such a thing is right, too...it's FREE.
And remember, you can't have FREEDOM without being FREE.
Embrace the holiday, learn the real story of the first Thanksgiving, acquaint yourself with the history of this day, and enjoy your meals and family.
Not everyone is as fortunate as you or I...or can appreciate their station in life.
From OUR "Fortress" to YOURS ...and to all my readers and their families - Have a BLESSED Thanksgiving, in the very best spirit of this holiday.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and never forget to...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

6 comments:

CWMartin said...

I hear the weather might ban the big balloons from the Macys parade. I wondered as I heard that, how heartbroken I would have been as a child at that news. I loved watching Bullwinkle and Underdog bumbling down the street. I also wondered if anyone would even notice, today...

John DuMond said...

I'm with you, Bob, shopping on Thanksgiving is just plain wrong. If others want to do it, I guess that's okay, but you won't catch me out there. I won't even be out on Black Friday. It's just not worth the aggravation.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Bob.

Bob G. said...

Chris:
We come from a time where things were a LOT less "PC", people were (overall) better behaved towards one another, and life had a tad more innocence to it.
I miss THOSE days...honestly.

(and they did have the balloons aloft in NYC).

We used to also watch the Gimbels parade where Santa made his way to "toyland" in that store via a fire department ladder truck.
Pretty cool to see as a child.

Now, Philly doesn't even HAVE a "Gimbels" department store.

I know hwere you're coming from.

Thanks for stopping by today.
Have yourselves a blessed THanksgiving and saty safe yp there.

Bob G. said...

John D.:
With the advent of Internet shopping, there's no excuse to NOT partake in it long BEFORE the holidays arrive.
I will NOT shop outside on Thanksgiving, Black Friday OR Cybver Monday...or especially Christmas eve.
And I think stores need to think on that.

Curiously enough, if you're in a macabre mood, they have a website so you can "keep track" of the people killed or injured during Black Friday...
Now to ME, that's even MORE wrong that going shopping on that day.

But hey, I'm such a traditionalist - sue me...lol.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Do have yourselves a happy AND blessed Thanksgiving out there.

Stay safe.

ms nk rey said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and Mrs. G. Stay warm and safe and don't eat to much.

Bob G. said...

MsN:
Bless your heart and thanks for stopping by today.

Here's hoping you and yours ALSO have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.
(yeah...I'm watching my waistline at MY age...LOL)


Take care and do stay safe & warm down there.