| A Word Edgewise by Mary Joe Clendenin |
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| A Word Edgewise by Mary Joe Clendenin |
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NEVER TOO LATE TO GIVE THANKS
Mixed up again! I thought Thanksgiving was the last week in November and that I had another week to prepare. I was so proud of myself because I had written a Thanksgiving column ahead--then sent the one last week when this one should have come. Oh well, you are still in the Thanksgiving spirit, aren't you?
In childhood years, we had geese, chickens, guineas, parrots, love birds, pheasants, bantams, ducks, owls, but no turkeys. Seems like dad didn't like turkeys. Therefore, we did not have a turkey for Thanksgiving. Either parent would have said, "We have chickens, it would be silly to buy a turkey when we have plenty of meat. Besides, a nice hen and dressing is better than turkey, anyway."
So we had chicken--mother cooked a goose at least once--and sometimes Uncle Eaton would come from Jones County and barbecue a goat. He'd build a fire in a pit, let it burn down to the coals and cook the goat all night.
Thanksgiving was a wonderful holiday, no school. We kids would be nuisances to be run out of the way like pesky flies. While men were trying to fill orders and pack trees, and the women were trying to get the dinner tables fixed, we were trying to play games in the packing house. Weather permitting, meaning it was at least two degrees above freezing and not raining, we would be sent to play outside until we couldn't stand the waiting any longer. We'd play hide-and-seek, kick-the-can, Annie over, lots of running to make us even hungrier.
The tables were made from boards placed between saw horses, long tables, covered with packing paper and then clothes the ladies brought from home. The families who lived on the place and many neighbors came. Every woman brought her specialties. Loleta would have the best prune cake you ever lapped your lip over; Byrd Ham would bring her delicious apricot cream pies; Nora Lucke made delicious cinnamon rolls and "coffee coffen"--oh, and never forget her chocolate pies. You see, my taste ran to desserts even then. Mother's candied yams would be swimming in sugar and butter. There would be chicken and dressing, fried chicken, sausages, slabs of fried, home-cured ham. I'm sure we had many vegetables, too, but what kid considers them.
The Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims was never that fancy. They probably had venison, wild turkey, pumpkin and other squash, and wheat. Wholesome foods they were very glad to get. But the very first Thanksgiving feast in the New World was in Tule Canyon in Texas. Coronado, his soldiers and camp followers--about 1500 people--were saved from starvation when they found the canyon where fresh water was plentiful for them and their animals. They found mulberries, other berries, grapes, agave plants to eat, and a friendly tribe of Indians who shared their acorn bread with them. They built an altar and had a Thanksgiving celebration.
I've been thinking of some less obvious things for which I am thankful this year. Of course, I'm thankful for the usual: health, family, friends, a home, food. But I'm also thankful for many not so often thought of.
I'm thankful that I can drive--and have a car to drive. There will probably come a time when the infirmities of old age will make it unsafe for myself and others. I'm thankful the time has not yet come.
Although modern conveniences may be maddening sometimes, I'm thankful for them. I may remember and be a little nostalgic about the old days--but there is no period of time to which I wish to go back.
Autumn is such a beautiful season, and I like winter--and spring and summer. I'm thankful for changes of the season. And I prefer a well heated home rather than having to sleep under four or five quilts--with a special blanket warmed to go around my feet on the coldest nights. How did we ever live and enjoy life without air-conditioning? Tropical isles where the temperature is always pleasant must be delightful to visit, but I like the changes.
I'm thankful for medical sciences that continue to find ways to make long lives comfortable and pleasant--and for death at the end of the trail.
I'm also thankful for you readers who share with me these thoughts and memories each week. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving
Now, if I can just remember when to celebrate Christmas. I know it's coming because the decorations are all ready going up--and the Christmas Sales began last July. Maybe you should remind me about two weeks ahead of time.