Thursday, November 05, 2015

The Real Reason We Have Thanksgiving

November is a cruel month here in New England.



It gets off to a beautiful start. The grass is still green. 
Makes the leaves look heartbreakingly gorgeous. 
One or two pieces of Hallow e'en candy still tucked away.



Then Daylight Savings Time ends. 
By November's third week, the 4:30 PM sky is the color of dark; 
one or two steps lighter than pitch black.

"You know nothing Jon Snow."

The howling Northeast wind blasts across the gray, gray sky 
dumping rain and the occasional snow squall. 

A Nor'easter wind does not kid around, it clamors at the window like a wild animal. 
Cold. Hungry. It wants in.

Clearly our wretched November weather is the real reason behind Thanksgiving. 

A small contingent of Pilgrims suffered from SAD, Seasonally Affected Disorder.

Except back in the day it was common, ordinary, lower case sad.

1952. MGM's Plymouth Adventure.
Van Johnson plays John Alden.

Visualize the scene with Jon Snow as John Alden rather than baby face Van Johnson. 
Slot in anyone who looks good in uniform for Myles Standish.

JOHN ALDEN played by Jon Snow
(quizzically)

Myles, think you not Lady Priscilla is powerful sad? Methinks a melancholy has swathed her in gloom much like the bitter cold and abysmal dark that cloaks the Colony.



MYLES STANDISH played by Clive Owen
(matter of factly)

Right. John. Listen up. She wouldn't be sad if she had married me.
But let's move on. I know what will cheer her up! A big bash! Invite the whole Colony.
The neighbors too. I'll plan the menu. 
What's Pris' favorite dish again? Oysters? Venison?
I suppose we're still out of champagne....


Best selling champagne in 2013.

JOHN ALDEN
(exasperatedly)
Turkey, Myles, she likes turkey.

Are you looking at me? Turkeys strolling through our front yard.

I was a typist for a screen writer in a former life. 
No, but now and then my mind flits off in flights of fancy, even when I'm working. 
Fallish options for new waiting room furniture. The carpet is existing (which I did not select).




Can't believe I'm breaking my "nothing from the red family in healthcare" rule.
Never say never.

I wrote most of this post the other day when the weather was nasty. 
Today is as beautiful as late Fall can get, and I am truly thankful.

Enjoy the weekend and these last splendid days of Autumn! 
And have fun making those Thanksgiving plans. 

Thanks for reading,
Linda Pakravan

13 comments:

  1. Very whimsical and poetic post. You captured the nastiness of November. Today, it's warmer out then in, but we know where that's headed!

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    1. Yes. We know where that's headed!

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  2. You know November, alright! But I think the worst month is February. It lasts forever. Have a great weekend!! PS When I was young, I had the biggest crush on Van Johnson.

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    1. Ah, February. Different aesthetic to the weather. Great month for dinner parties. January is sort of a rest and regroup from the holiday parties so by the time February rolls in everyone is ready for a cozy dinner party!

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  3. Linda, your story is wonderful.
    It seems like no matter how cold it gets, it just helps if the sun if shining!!


    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena
    Carrier and Company

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  4. I know that grey feeling here too, but some mornings when the shutters are opened how the spirits soar when discovering a November blue sky.
    I sense that Christmas too and all that it entails is also a way of getting us through the coming winter season.
    Like Katie Clooney I find February the most difficult month - I always have such high aspirations and tend to think that spring is round the corner which it invariably is not.

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    1. And thankfully that's what we have today. A Novemer blue sky! Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. I love your design selections for your commercial building! Happy Fri. the 13th

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    1. Thank you! They look better IRL. Photography is hard. Have a great weekend!

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  6. I love November. I think of all the months, November is the most beautiful word and fits the feeling of the month. At least where I live and where you live too. I love February for the snow and the blue nights. And agree about February dinners. It's March that tests me. All the mud, the grey, or worse--the sun for five minutes and then the cold grey. All that worrying about the plants! They always make it, so why do we still fuss over them?
    Clive Owen. Good pick.

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    1. Thanks for visiting! I never thought about the sound of November. Kind of like 'snack'. I like what it means, I like how it sounds!

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  7. Ha! I guess your imaginary screenwriting while designing is like my photo browsing/sketching as a break from writing. Probably helps the process! And I love that first combo - looks like an aubergine? Wonderful.

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