Canadian Thanksgiving

[Back2Jake]

Okay, at this moment I am watching football and working on an article. Needless to say it isn't going well - the football game or the article. I admit, neither of these two activities are very festive, and when the rain stops I'll return outdoors and finish weaving the vine clippings I harvested yesterday.

As far as holidays go, this has to be my favorite. There is little commercialism associated with Thanksgiving, other than the grocery stores - LOL. Churches and schools collect for less fortunate families, and we get a glimpse of what is done at the local food banks and soup kitchens for the homeless.

Not to mention how some organizations put together their "drives" for clothing and house hold items which get people like me going through clothing the children no longer want/ wear. This is a task I'd rather never do because it just shows me how much they grow.... and that I am getting older. LOL.

Back to Thanksgiving.... I particularly like how you don't have to belong to one faith to get involved or share in Thanksgiving.... we all have something to be thankful for.

When we sit down to our Thanksgiving supper each year, it is our tradition to first discuss what each of us are most thankful for. We reflect on what has been given to us, and acknowledge the abundance we have as Canadians, and as a family.

I sincerely hope all have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.

... the rain has stopped......

Take care
Toni

[ChuckD]

.....the rain has stopped......
See, one more thing to be thankful for

[GrayBeard Phil]

Toni and All Canadians (members and lurkers):

Here is wishing all of you a wonderful autumn harvest celebration.

FYI: A long, long time ago, in college, I was asked by an foreigner student, who came from Asia, why the USA had two harvest celebrations: Halloween and Thanksgiving. Back then I answered that the first one was for the kids, and second started the Xmas buying season. Cann't say that anymore; seems Holloween is the start of Xmas buying season, with the end of November holiday just a pause for a bit to eat.

So, Toni, does this mean the Ontario holiday shopping starts soon?

Phil

[thecopperfish]

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Canadian friends!
Chris

[Back2Jake]

Originally Posted by GrayBeard Phil

Back then I answered that the first one was for the kids, and second started the Xmas buying season. Cann't say that anymore; seems Holloween is the start of Xmas buying season, with the end of November holiday just a pause for a bit to eat.

So, Toni, does this mean the Ontario holiday shopping starts soon?

Phil

Phil, I don't speak for All Canadians, but with the taxes we have to pay... lol, I'm sure some NEED to start shopping now to fulfull their material needs for the holidays.

I am always surprised at hearing Thanksgiving is the official start of the Christmas buying season. Give thanks for tomorrow we can go shop?

It is interesting, the comment around two harvest celebrations..... I suppose it is all based on one's perspective of the "celebrations/holidays". For some, Halloween isn't for the children but in fact a celebration of the dead / a time of rememberance / a new year .... and is referred to as Samhain.

Thank you for your holiday wish .... and the discussion!

Take care
Toni

[GrayBeard Phil]

Originally Posted by Toni Burghout

...It is interesting, the comment around two harvest celebrations..... I suppose it is all based on one's perspective of the "celebrations/holidays". For some, Halloween isn't for the children but in fact a celebration of the dead / a time of remembrance / a new year .... and is referred to as Samhain. ...

Toni:

I had to WIKIpedia Samhain. Never heard that phrase before.

But from the WIKI write up, I think Samhain means somewhat the same as from my own personal family traditions. Halloween is a sharing of the bountiful harvest with whoever (or whatever) comes to the door asking for a token of the harvest. Giving candy to Kids is an act of kindness and sharing. Just as receiving a bountiful harvest is a act of kindness and sharing from "Mother Nature."

(add your own cautionary tall tale about who is really behind the masks worn by the beings looking like kids, and the effect of not sharing this years bountiful harvest will have on next year's crop. WIKIpedia for the Hindu meaning of avatar.)

Thanks for letting me learn the word Samhain, although, I still don't think I can pronounce it correctly yet.

Phil