Thoughts for (Thanksgiving) Thursday...
Welcome to what SHOULD be a day of giving thanks...for a LOT of things.
I say "should" because the fol-de-rol is mainly centered around SHOPPING.
Who will best who at the local big box stores today is the mantra.
And, we''be exploring that anon, but first, we have a few other things to get out of the way...
*** First out of the oven...Our Hoosierland weather brings us cloudy skies at first, but the sun is slated to make an appearance later on. It will be a brisk day out there, with a high of about 38 degrees, so plan your attire accordingly.
So let's all get something to warm us up and prepare us for what today has in store...
*** Next up, is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
NOVEMBER 23 -
---It's Thanksgiving Day

(we kinda all figured that one out by now)
---It's National Cashew Day

(gesundheit!)
---It's National Day of Mourning

(a native American deal going back to the pilgrims.)
It's National Eat a Cranberry Day

(gonna pass on that...gimme the jellied or juice versions)
---It's National Espresso Day

(might need that caffeine jump-start with all that's planned today)
---It's Turkey-Free Thanksgiving

(two words - SCREW YOU!)
---And, way back in 1963, Doctor Who aired it's first episode (An Unearthly Child).

Ratings were poor, due to the untimely death of JFK the day before.(Who knew?)
*** Next up, this is one story that just cannot wait until tomorrow. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/us/20171123/fugitives-removed-from-gun-database
AWHY we have the wrong people being (still) able to get firearms?

nd we all wonder
These "fugitives from justice" have been removed from the FBI database
((Late last year, BEFORE (my emphasis) President Donald Trump took office, the Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel sided with ATF and narrowed the definition of fugitives, according to law enforcement officials.)) 
And that took the number of people banned from purchasing legal firearms from 500,000 to about 788 total.
Blame Former director James Comey (and before him Robert Mueller). Loophole, anyone?

LEGAL gun purchase with an active WARRANT?

Yeah, you can drive a Carnival cruise ship through THIS one (and never come close to scratching the hull), can't you? THIS is the kind of things this country needs to FIX...not make worse.
But, tell that to families who don't have loved ones around their Thanksgiving dinner table about that.
*** Next, let's get back to normal with a visit to "Kitten Corner"...
Our kids were pretty good yesterday, no doubt in anticipation of today and what it brings.

Where does that water go anyway?

We are planning to amend their dinner with some real turkey.
I'm going to add that to their cat version of turkey (in a can), and should be a hit with them. At least, that's the plan.

Looking for heavenly "inspiration"?

I figure the turkey might calm them down (like it does with me...lol). I might have some help as I indulge in some holiday "spirit" ...vanilla egg nog laced with bourbon works well.
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Any closer, and I'd be INSIDE the house.

Both of our furry friends were close by once again, and that makes Wifey and I glad they choose to hang around, especially in the shelters at night.
We can't confirm who is sleeping where, since both are at the screen door by sunrise.

I'm sorry, but did someone say "turkey"?

We also have some culinary surprises for these two - you guessed it; turkey for them in thier wet food (also turkey).
I mean there's nothing wrong with keeping with the thoughts of today. We're thankful these two have chosen to grace us with their presence, and I;m sure they are both thenkful for food and shelter.
*** Last back to the stove top...Thanksgiving: a day of gratitude, actually.
It's a day where we gather 'round the dinner table, break bread, and enjoy the company of one another.
Our table tends to have more empty chairs than most, and we are thankful we had these missing souls in our lives as long as we did.
As we get older, that list gets longer, too. It's one of life's inevitabilities.
Today is a day to remember those no longer with us. It's not really a day to spend huddling against the weather at some store to snag a "bargain". It never was at our house and still is not to this day.
There are some things MORE important than bargains, and Lordx knows we've gone off the rails regarding such notions.
And, it's definitely not a time for politics...at all. Leave that crap outside before you come in and wipe your feet.
There was a time when (back in Philly), Mom would have to put the "leaves" in the dining room table (to make it longer so we could fit all the people coming by. This was after Dad passed. My first wife and her family would come over and we'd have a great time (nice to have to PPD officers at the table, too...lol).
Before that, it was just Mom, Dad, and me (and the family dogs).
Like I say, a lot of people have left (and a lot of pets, too), but I am still thankful for every moment I had with them. Same goes for Wifey (now) and her family (and our former pets).
In some ways, they still come by. Their spirit lingers within these four walls...and that's okay.

I'm thankful to have someone who loves me, food on the table, a roof over my head, and to be alive.
Many people take most of that for granted, an they miss the larger picture.
Life is every bit as much about how others touch YOU as you have touched THEM.
And that, truly is something to be thankful for today.
So, from our house to you and yours, wherever God finds you today, may you all have a blessed Thanksgiving, and always remember to BE thankful, especially for the little things in life.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.