Li: ritual, propriety, etiquette. Hsiao: love within the family (parents for children and children for parents. Yi: righteousness--the noblest way to act in a situation. Xin: honesty and trustworthiness. Jen: benevolence, humaneness towards others. Chung: loyalty to the state and authority. --Confucius (Kong Fuzi)

All articles appear in reverse chronological order [newest first].

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I believe the past is relevant, sometimes more than others of course. In most cases we are seeing history being repeated, so it is most relevant.

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Thanksgiving Dinner:

thanksgivingAs every year I am having friends and family over for thanksgiving dinner, everyone is invited including my Kingston Square neighbors.

We have video and Computer Games. If you want to stop by to just visit or fix a plate that’s fine.

Please be aware that Martha Stewart is not coming, she will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. I'm telling you in advance, so don't act surprised. Since Ms. Stewart won't be coming, I've made a few small changes:

  • Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries.  After a trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.buyamerican
  • Once inside, our guests will note that the entry hall is not decorated with the swags of Indian corn and fall foliage I had planned to make. The dining table will not be covered with expensive linens, fancy china, or crystal goblets. If possible, we will use dishes that match [probably paper] and everyone will get a fork [OK, plastic].
  • turkeyOur centerpiece will not be the tower of fresh fruit and flowers that I promised.  Instead we will be displaying a hedgehog-like decoration hand-crafted from the finest construction paper. The artist assures me it is a turkey.
  • We will be dining fashionably late. The children will entertain you while you wait.  I'm sure they will be happy to share every choice comment I have made rthanksgivingegarding Thanksgiving, pilgrims, and the turkey hotline.  Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 a.m. upon discovering that the turkey was still hard enough to cut diamonds.
    As accompaniment to the children's recital, I will play a recording of tribal drumming.  If someone should mention that I don't own a recording of tribal drumming, or that tribal drumming sounds suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them.  They are nuts.
  • We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty silver bell to announce the start of our feast. In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method. We've also decided against a formal seating arrangement. When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you like.
  • In the spirit of harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table.  In a separate room.  Next door. I’m still recruiting amongst my neighbors
  • Now, I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving a turkey in front of a crowd of athanksgivingappreciative onlookers. This will not be happening at our dinner. For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony. I stress "private" meaning: Do not, under any circumstances,
    enter the kitchen to laugh at me.  Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress.  I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed. It stands to reason that I will eventually win.  When I do, we will eat.
  • I would like to take this opportunity to remind my young diners that "passing the rolls" is not a football play.  Nor is it a request to bean your brother in the head with warm tasty bread. 
  • buyamericanOh, and one reminder for the adults: For the duration of the meal, and especially while in the presence of young diners, we will refer to the giblet gravy by its lesser-known name: Cheese Sauce.  If a young diner questions you regarding the origins or type of Cheese Sauce, plead ignorance.
  • Before I forget, there is one last change.  Instead of offering a choice between 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will be serving the traditional pumpkin pie, garnished with whipped cream and small fingerprints. You will still have a choice: take it or leave it.
  • Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving. She probably won't come next year either.  I am thankful.

Glenn, 7138-G


postturkeydayppThe above is taken from our 2003 Thanksgiving Dinner invitation. From 2001 to 2006 we held Thanksgiving dinner at my apartment in Kingston Square. It was open to friends, family, and co-workers. As the attendance grew it outgrew my apartment and eventually we switched from a Thanksgiving gathering to a similar event centered around the 4th of July (Independence Weekend Picnic which we have held annually since 2009 (to the present, 2017)
thanksgiving

GlennDL 2017


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