Thanksgiving is NOT about shopping . . .

It is very sad that shopping has taken away the family aspect of Thanksgiving. My memories, as a child, was one of anticipation and a grumbling stomach as so many good smells scented our home. There were neat things like vegetable trays to snack on and calls to the kitchen to taste this, that, or the other to assure my mother it was wonderfully good and can we eat now? Dinner was sort of scheduled but we gathered to eat whenever it was done as a bit more waiting only made the final attack on the turkey all the more tasty.

This year, instead of good thoughts about the Thanksgiving traditions, the stores blasted our televisions and radios with ad after ad about the pre-bargains to be had the day before Black Friday. Wait! The day before Black Friday shopping is . . . Thanksgiving!

I have never joined in the Black Friday frenzy of shopping. There is nothing on earth that would make me want to stand in line with hundreds of other people in hopes of being one of the few that would actually snag one of the great deals. Also, the thought of being pushed, shoved, or even seriously hurt by adamant shoppers dissolved any possibility of allure to the venture.

I just watched some videos of pre-Black Friday and Black Friday shopping mobs. It reminded me of a pack of wild animals snapping and tearing at whatever they could reach. There were injuries at some shopping areas. In our own city, a police officer broke his hand trying to calm down a guy randomly attacking people. What a contrast to years gone by when families gathered in their homes, shared an especially wonderful meal, and made memories.

One year, my daughter and I ventured out on Black Friday around ten in the morning when most of the drama was over. We went to a local Wal-Mart and it was like entering a battlefield after the war. Clothing and other items were almost knee-deep in places. We saw about 30 shopping carts lined up and filled with discards employees had already gathered and were trying to either put back on the shelves or discard due to damage. There were still people 'shopping'. One woman, who should have been old enough to have known better, was systematically opening perfume/bath sets, taking a sniff, and tossing them on the floor. Unwanted shirts and sweaters were still being tossed down on the floor. Harried employees, looking grim, were running around trying to make a difference. They were dealing with humans who decided to be animals set on destruction. A very sad commentary on the human race.

With all the security, we figured things would calm down sooner . . . and it had. The store we went to around eleven on Black Friday was already back in order. What was amazing that without the shouting, screaming, or crowds, we found everything on our list (not based on sales but our own list of gift needs) and checked out and were on our way home in about 30 minutes. We got good deals and no turmoil. Was there really anything on sale that was worth the meanness and bad manners exhibited by the early shoppers?

Reminder from Mother Teresa . . .

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." ~ Mother Teresa

A Sad Commentary to begin the Thanksgiving Week . . .

http://www.jihadwatch.org/2013/11/wife-of-christian-pastor-imprisoned-in-iran-devastated-after-obama-makes-no-attempt-to-secure-his-re.html

This is a sad commentary on how our government seems to view human rights even when the solution was probably a given  with the negotiations at stake. Israel and Saudi Arabia both declared the outcome of the negotiation with Iran to be a historical mistake. We can also include the fact that
an American human life was totally left out of the equation.

When we celebrate our Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah holidays this year, let's remember to send prayers to this pastor and his family who will be separated from each other for another Christmas season.

Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie!

 Found a recipe for Sour Cream Sugar Cookies (gluten-free, of course!) and had to give it a try. I won't brag about them being a success but after bringing one to my son while he did homework, he showed up in the kitchen and took away four more.

Quote from George Washington!

A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government."  --  George Washington

 

 

Guarded Truce . . .

 Fresh, the cat on the left, is a part-time cat that comes through our house ever so often. She would very much like us to dump our black and white cat, Marcella, and let her take over the home. In the meantime, she often stops by to warm up and take a nap. She usually growls herself to sleep because she does not like our cat, Marcella. Marcella, however, loves everyone and would like to cuddle up with Fresh.



 It was particularly cold, yesterday, and in order to save my furniture from cat hair, I put down some towels. Seems that being warm got the best of Fresh and she allowed Marcella to share the sofa with her for several hours. Nap over, Fresh began her peeved growling and left.

The Memory Bowl . . .

 My favorite mixing bowl is an old, battered stainless steel one. It is my go-to bowl for whipping egg whites, chilling salads, and holding lots of popcorn on a cold evening with a good video at hand. It belonged to my mother and when her household was distributed at her passing, this was the one item I truly wanted in my own home. It's memories started at my mother's home and it had a 'liturgical' beginning and came into my memory bank one Easter Vigil.

My mother was helping set up for the Easter Vigil services and we lacked a receptacle for the Blessing of the Water that evening. A day or two before, my mother finally saved up her pennies and had happily purchased this bowl,  a dream of hers to own. It was shiny, unscratched, and never used when she offered the loan of it for the Easter Vigil Service. I didn't know until that evening at church that her now-favorite mixing bowl was playing an important role in the Resurrection!

As usual, the Easter Service began in a dark church. The Easter candle was lit, people shared the new flame, and the church was illuminated for the Blessing of the Water. It was beautiful and I had to smile when my mother leaned over and whispered, "Do you see the beautiful container for the Easter Water?" I nodded and replied, "It's your new mixing bowl, isn't it?" My mother asked, "When did you realize that?" I grinned, "When I saw the price tag sticker on it!"

For some reason, it didn't take away from the service and I doubt anyone but us noticed the tiny white sticker. I've used that bowl a lot in the last ten years since my mother passed away. It is always there for me and makes me smile. These days, however, it is just a well-used bowl with scratches and dents from much use. There was a time it played a more dignified role and looked golden in the reflection of the flame of the Easter Candle.