Thanksgiving - Without All the Fancy Trimmings

This is shaping up as the Thanksgiving when peoplechestnuts wrapped in bacon?
return to old fashion values and go sparingly on all theIs pumpkin and squash soup any less delectable and
exotic side dishes that have come to signify thetasty then lobster bisque from the gourmet store?
opulence of the Holiday and our own sense ofAre eating fish egg caviar what the pilgrims had in
excess.mind for their day of Thanksgiving?
In a lot of respects this Thanksgiving promises to beIf we are not alone, if we can share the holiday
something special - something we can really betogether, what difference does it make if we can't
thankful for. In spite of a recession families will oncespend a lot of money on some fancy trimmings? We
more gather to rejoice in their freedom and thehave more than most people can hope for. We have
bounty of their table, but this time most if not all ofa bounteous table of our own making, and the family
the trimmings will be homemade and not storeand friends to share it with. We have a lot to be
bought. Is that so terrible? I rather like it, and thethankful for. We are together. We are free.
smells coming from the kitchen make my mouthToo much emphasis on having all the exotic
water in anticipation.trimmings we can conjure up may be why we got
You do remember the aroma of a home made appleinto this recession to begin with. Thank God the
pie wafting from the oven through the kitchen andAmerican public has enough sense to know when to
out into the living room of a home you can afford tostop spending on fancy luxuries they can do without,
live in where a happy group of family and friends areand start saving for their own and their children's
gathered before a roaring wood burning fire, don'tfuture.
you? Life can be good.When we all remember the lessons of the past that
Is eggnog any better when laced withour parents and grandparents tried to teach us, we
twenty-five-year-old brandy than with cheap darkwill truly have something to be thankful for. Then this
rum? Does a Ford compact car get you where yourecession will be gone, and the real trimmings of a
want to go as well as a Mercedes Limousine?wonderful life will come racing back to us with our
What store bought barbequed bird can compete withheartfelt thanks. They will always be ours to cherish
a twenty-pound turkey basting in its own juices asand remember.
its skin crisps and the smell of sausage and cornbreadMay the trimmings of your heart and mind make
stuffing sends the dog whining in anticipation andyour cup full of love to the brim and your sense of
dancing in circles?joy running over.
Do the children playing games in the hallway knowHave a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving.
the difference between Oysters Rockefeller and