This last week was Thanksgiving Holiday week in the USA, where we commemorate the 1621 celebration of thanksgiving at Plymouth, Massachusetts, where early settlers & Native Americans shared a feast of thanksgiving for the good harvest that ensured their survival (depicted in the Brownscombe painting below from Wikipedia).
Brownscombe First Thanksgiving Painting from Wikipedia
Back then a good harvest meant you survived through the winter months, and to quote Mfu's remembrance of Equiano, "Why not celebrate? If nothing else, it can't hurt to celebrate survival."
Rockwell Thanksgiving 'Freedom From Want' from Wikipedia
These days, the Thanksgiving Holiday in the USA is a time for families to take a break from work and get together for a meal to reflect on all they are thankful for in their lives, as depicted in the Norman Rockwell Freedom From Want painting above (from Wikipedia).
This year I was lucky to be able to participate in two Thanksgiving events, one a little early with a family visit from JoAnne, Andy, Chris, Chloe, with Cindy, and Mom & Dad and me. Cindy put on quite the feast for us all! Thank you, Cindy!
Andy & JoAnne, Chloe & Chris, and Mom & Dad at Cindy's for an early Thanksgiving Dinner
Chloe & JoAnne, and Mom, Chris, and Dad at Cindy's. Chloe is Grandma Jaine's Great Granddaughter!
Chris & Chloe hamming it up at Cindy's, with Dad watching.
A tender moment between Chris and Chloe, with Mom in the background.
Then Cindy and I had a Thanksgiving-like Octoberfest Celebration before Thanksgiving for a fun time with my Mom & Dad (89 and 91 years old!). Bratwurst, sauerbraten, blaukraut, mashed potatoes with gingersnap gravy, carrots, some growlers of good craft beer, and of course dessert!
An Octoberfest of thanksgiving with Mom, Dad, and Cindy at Jeff's place!
Jazz is playing, while Mom listens, and Dad reads the paper, and our Octoberfest dinner is getting put on the table.
Mom & Dad at Jeff's for an Octoberfest thanksgiving! Mom & Dad's 68th wedding anniversary is coming up on December 14th. I feel another celebration coming up!
Then when Cindy's daughter Robin came home to visit from college we all got together for a Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day! Another great Thanksgiving Dinner by Cindy - thank you! 🙂
Robin & Cindy and Dad & Mom on Thanksgiving Day at Cindy's house.
Here's Robin & Cindy serenading Mom & Dad with violin and piano.
Robin & Cindy playing a tune for Mom & Dad on Thanksgiving. They're good!
These recent three times of Thanksgiving get-togethers really gave me time to reflect on what I'm thankful for, which is being with family & friends, and just taking time to enjoy the day-to-day flow of life. I'm thankful for my family, my friends, the terrific people I work with on the day job, and I'm also thankful for all of you reading this, dear friends.
We're all very fortunate to be enjoying this silly hobby of audio, and listening to music with our friends & loved ones, and that's definitely something to be thankful for!
Leo, Pete, and Ron at Jeff's Place listening to some Mac's on the West's.
Cheers from Leo and Stephaen at Jeff's Place.
From my home to yours, I wish you all a wonderful Holiday season, and as always, thanks for stopping by!
May the music playing make you smile!
