Poor November. It seems to me, the 11th month is
little appreciated. Thanksgiving Day seems to be declining in
popularity. Stores jump from celebrating Halloween to anticipating
Christmas. (At least it's okay to say Merry Christmas again instead
of Happy Holiday). Businesses realized it was better to ruffle the
feathers of a few rabbis than a lot of Christmas shoppers. Score
more points for the free enterprise system.
In November we miss the colors of October and dread the prospects of
winter. Things start dying. The long sleep of winter seems like
death, until Spring comes again and rejuvenates.
Thanksgiving is still my favorite holiday. Where it was first
observed is irrelevant to me. The Pilgrims had a feast with the
natives in 1621 in Massachusetts. Virginians did the same at Berkley
Plantation in 1619. There were numerous harvest festivals before
then so it is not possible--nor important--which was the first.
Taste is the last sense to be dulled by old
age. So lift your glasses high and eat with gusto. And remember that
beautiful song from Perry Como--Bless This House. |
