Friday, November 30, 2012

Black Friday's Best Deal




 Of all the holidays, I like Thanksgiving best. I love the idea of it, of families converging on one spot to feast together and give thanks for all the ways in which they are blessed; To enjoy their connection with each other and, admittedly sometimes, tear each other's hair out. Don't get me wrong. I prefer when there's no bloodshed. But it was quiet this year,  no opportunity to test my theories, or to enjoy a crowded table. We did talk by phone and e-mail with those we were missing, and gave thanks for the blessings we do have.

The media have not managed to destroy Thanksgiving.....yet.......as they have Christmas. The focus of the day is still on family, roots, gratitude and home cooking, and whether I'm expecting two or twenty [in my dreams!] I always  prepare everything,  turkey,  stuffing,  gravy,  mashed potatoes,  sweet potatoes,  cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie....oh, and coleslaw. Except this year I forgot,and  duly heard the plaintive cry of "Where's the coleslaw?" The OC roasts the turkey outside on the grill, having soaked it overnight in an apple cider brine......scrumptious! 

But, the very next day it all starts to go downhill. And this year they didn't wait 'til the next day. The madness started on Thanksgiving evening. Black Friday, they call it. Black Friday is not over this year until December 3rd! My response to the shouting and hollering on TV is to turn it off. My other response is not to go within an ass's roar of a store for the few days after Turkey Day, my own small protest against the greed and commercialism with which the media defines Christmas, and the weeks leading up to it.





So, while crazy people were heading to the stores on Friday, we headed to a state park on the other side of town. We hadn't been there for a long time and were pleasantly surprised at how high the water level was compared to our last visit  Pleasantly surprised also to have the place to ourselves. Everyone must have been at the store!





But, we weren't completely alone. It was a beautiful sunny day and the birds were busy foraging and enjoying the sunshine.












I was in my element, squishing about in the mud, trying to reason with this pair of sand hill cranes, to pull their heads out and co-operate so I could get a decent picture.....




.........when, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the OC, waving excitedly, and gesticulating for me to come see
this.



Looks like --- a log?



Someone's lost umbrella?






Oh, Mr. Gator, what big eyes you have!

Just a little guy, six feet the OC estimated.


The cranes, at least one of them, finally co-operated.




But, the gator stole the day!



12 comments:

Wisewebwoman said...

Lovely post Molly, I was tromping with you and I avoid the stores like the plague just about all year. A nightmare scenario bringing out the worst in people when fighting over the Chinese tat.

Yes they're working very hard at commercializing Tgiving which is always one of my favourite holidays. October in Canada.

XO
WWW

persiflage said...

Thanksgiving sounds lovely. I was in New York years ago during Thanksgiving, but as foreigners we did not participate.
For so many people now Christmas is completely meaningless except for relentless commercial exploitation and tizziness. Here is started mid-November. And hot cross buns will appear in January.

Lee said...

I bet the gator stole more than the day...or would have if given the chance! ;)

We don't have Thanksgiving down this way, Down Under, of course...but I always love seeing clips of Macy's Thanksgiving Parade - and reading all the warm and heartfelt words by my fellow US bloggers about their special day.

Thanks for another lovely post, Molly; I always look forward to reading them...take good care

Pam said...

I hope you kept well clear of those teeth.

Thimbleanna said...

Oooh, that's scary, seeing those cranes in water where there are gators. Creepy, creepy, creepy!

I'm with you on the mess the media has made of Christmas. It's SO annoying. But what really bugs me is how early they start -- often before we're even done with Halloween. And don't get me started on Christmas lights on houses that appear before Thanksgiving....

Pauline said...

wow! I'd sooner be outdoors in a park with uncooperative birds (and alligators, even) than in a store with a thousand screaming greedy people! We did have two screaming babies at table this year so no one got to eat hot food but it was good nonetheless.



Bonnie said...

I have been very behind in my favorite blog "reading" and have so enjoyed catching up with you. I don't shop on Black Friday...ever. Lovely post.

dianne said...

i don't shop on Black Friday anymore ... but you would never catch me wading where there might be alligators, either - thank you, once again, for taking my walks for me...

magsmcc said...

Hi, Molly- thank you so much for your comment on our Hookery blog. I am delighted to hear that soemone ese has discovered the treasure that is The Christmas Mystery. I've been reading it every Advent for over ten years now! You have a wonderful blog. Your words are also treasures. I am intrigued by your profile! We are all in the greater Belfast area. Merry Christmas- however it may be celebrated x

Pranavam Ravikumar said...

I came by chance, but enjoyed the read.. See you back!

Connie said...

Lovely photos, Molly. Grand idea to go to the park instead of shopping. I would have preferred to do the same.

Quiltsmiles said...

Love your sentiments and chuckled at the reference to an ass's roar phrase sprinkled wihtin it, thanks.
Nice to meet you. Jane

PS: lucky you to grow up so near Bunratty. Alas, we only visited there in a 30 hours period but it was so wonderful in many ways.