Thanksgiving 03

Where did the year go? Man, it was just summer and now it's time for turkey with the family again. Nieces and nephews, cousins and siblings oh my! That reminds me that I saw the "Wizards of Oz" again over the holiday. I actually paid attention to some of the lyrics during the first munchkin scene. C'mon you remember, Dorthy has just squashed the witch and Glinda is explaining how this is good news. The munchkin coroner proclaims the witch most absolutely and completely dead. Then Glinda jacks the dead lady's shoes and gives them to Dorthy before leaving her to fend for herself in Oz. I don't know about you but this is hardly happy holiday fare in my world. Then I realize many of our beloved holiday stories are actually terrible tales of ruthlessness and debauchery. Cool ;) Anywho Dorthy assembles a gang and kills the other "bad witch" before turning on the Wizard himself. Yikes this seems too much like our recent foreign policy,

Another chamber of horrors has to be Santa's workshop at the North Pole. A huge manufacturing facility and animal sanctuary ruled by an old tyrant who only really works one day a year while his minions toil all year long in sweat shops making toys. You mean to tell me that none of these toys can be manufactured here in the US? Hmmm. Seems to me that he is also stealing jobs from us since he keeps his own workforce incarcerated in the frozen north. Seriously how many elves have you ever seen? Santa breeds and works them for his own use. If we are going after Michael Jackson then why not Santa or the Easter Bunny? Damn, I just leaked the defense Jacko is planning on using. Man did I get sidetracked but I do have a point, nothing is ever too good mess up. In the past holidays have been a tricky endeavor. Those special family relationships that spark up and can cause burns if left untreated. Why is it that we can't all just get along? Does there have to be the hidden horrors like in my earlier examples.

Well this year we finally got the mix and timing correct. Every brother, mother and child was happy, fun, and smiling, it was strange at first but once I relaxed my guard I was treated to a great meal, good company and fireworks. Yes, this year we have a new family member, Barry. My cousin Allison, pictured below in the swanky sweat suit, recently married Barry and agreed to host Thanksgiving. Nice way to get Barry involved early and often. He was a great host who took time to play with all the kids, me included. After a perfect dinner without fight nor tear we retired outside to watch Barry send up a few fireworks. The show lasted quite a long time and I could see my brother getting a bit nervous. He had driven a fire company Blazer to Allison's and now he found himself under a barrage of exploding colors and light. This were big fireworks too. They truly sounded like mortars since the rockets made that whump sound just before they screamed into the night air.

I am happy to report that no homes or property were damaged and no local police action was taken. The kids loved it and I know Barry liked it. Where else can you meet the new family, break bread, then blow up some stuff for the fun of it. Makes me sad to think that most of the stuff that gets blown up these days is not for fun. People, buildings and nature are all targets. This year though my family had no fireworks other than those provided by the host. It's nice to finally get it all right. We all enjoyed the meal and company so the event was extended for an additional 45 minutes.

I can't say it enough. Once people let go of their interests and care unselfishly anything is possible. If my family can get it together then anyone can. We have always loved each other but the whole we like each other thing has taken time to bear fruit. This year we got so much fruit that we are making preserves to share with our friends. So grab a bagel and use some Leftcoastlove shmear to add a heap of love to your holiday season.

Peace,
Sean