Giving Thanks

The American holiday for giving thanks is upon us. Thanksgiving is a combination of the English Harvest Home celebration and the religious practice of putting aside days to give thanks. As with many traditions, the origins become murky as time progresses.

America's first Thanksgiving in 1621 was really a Harvest Home celebration, rejoicing the settlers' first harvest. A day of thanksgiving was a very pious day for them, which would include fasting and prayer. Feasting would have been out of the question. It also was about a month earlier than the November holiday we celebrate today.  That first meal was pieless since they had no sugar or molasses. A potato would not have been in sight, as Europeans of that time thought potatoes to be poisonous. No silverware was on the table, bare hands were used to convey the food to the face. Turkey was probably not served. The fowl mentioned was more likely geese and ducks. 

Speaking of turkeys, many mention the fact that Ben Franklin proposed this bird as our national symbol over the bald eagle. He did mention that in a letter to his daughter, but it was more than likely a joke. As with his daylight saving idea, later biographers took Ben's bagatelles more seriously that he did.

Next up on my "things that weren't so" hit list are the words pilgrim and Puritans. The people of Plimouth Plantation did not consider themselves Puritans. Puritans wanted to "purify" the Church of England of it papist trappings. This group felt the Puritans weren't doing enough and separated from the church. They called themselves Separatists and more informally "the godly." As for pilgrims, William Bradford does mention they were "strangers and pilgrims" in this new land. However, the first Thanksgiving folk were not regularly referred to by this term until about 150 years after that initial feast. The term, new land, ignores the people who had lived there for a millennium, but that for another time.

Of course, none of these misconceptions tarnish the tradition of giving thanks for everything life has bestowed on us.  - as ever - BB

"Thanksgiving day is the one day that is purely American." - O Henry

Public Service Announcement

The cold & flu season is upon us and it's nothing to sneeze at. 90 years ago, an influenza epidemic swept the world killing 50 million people.  Here are some tips to help you cope with this annual annoyance.

The Lady Macbeth procedure: Wash your hands often to the point of obsession. "Out damn'd spot. Out, I say!"Rather than milady's imagined blood stains, you're targeting germs. Use soap, any type. The antibacterial soap thing is an advertising ploy. However, you must work the lather for at least 1 minute. Count 1-Mississippi, etc. or sing Happy Birthday twice. The latter produces interesting looks in a public restroom. When not within reach of a sink, a small container of hand-sanitizer helps. Also, bring a bottle of 99% Isopropyl alcohol to the workplace and regularly wipe down the phone, computer keyboard and other surfaces. Be sure it's 99%. There is a 70% version, aka rubbing alcohol, that is not strong enough to kill germs.

Jewish Penicillin: Scientists now acknowledge this age-old cure as a viable option. When cooked, chicken releases an amino acid that acts like acetylcyseine, a drug used for colds and bronchitis. The warm broth clears the nasal passages. The added garlic and pepper keep the congestion flowing. 

Drink plenty of fluids, take vitamin C and get plenty of sleep. You should limit smoking and alcohol consumption to aid your immune system. However, a little medicinal toddy never hurts. My family recipe is 2 parts Irish Whisky, 1 part boiling water, 2 tbsp. honey, a cinnamon stick. Sip this wrapped in a comforter or thick sweater. Repeat as needed. Gin is also a helpful anodyne. The botanicals blended with the alcohol can be very therapeutic. But in moderation - as ever - BB

I like to have a martini, two at the very most. Three I'm under the table, four I'm under the host." - Dorothy Parker

Public House

Temperatures drop, warm jackets, scarfs and gloves come out of storage, winter approaches. During these cold nights, nothing is as inviting as the warmth of a public house. Over history, the name has been shortened to pub. Whether you call it a tavern, inn, bar, or cafe, matters naught. The public house provides comfort, camaraderie and libation. 

During America's colonial times, the pub was a central gathering place where information was exchanged and topical events discussed. With the advancement in communication, we need not leave out homes to hear the latest news. While more efficient and effective, we've lost the personal exchange and sense of community the tavern provided. So, do yourself a favor and find a nice pub, settle in for a pint of ale and the warmth of conversation. - as ever- BB

"There is nothing which has yet to be contrived by man by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn."- Dr. Samuel Johnson

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35

I never understood the title of this Dylan tune. Maybe that was his intent. But rain is a paradoxical thing. As a boy, nothing was more disheartening then a rained-out Little League game. However, rain during a football game was a surprise gift. Bruises and losses were inconsequential amid the joy of mud-covered combat.

The Bergeron process explains the condensation of atmospheric water vapor into liquid precipitation. How soporific! Earlier civilizations were far more poetic.  On the southern shores of Lake Titicaca is a ruin called the Gate of the Sun. Carved in the center is the Sky God. The ancient Inca believed that rain poured forth from his eyes and called it "tears from the skies".

Be it a stormy nor'easter or a gentle shower when you find yourself rained upon don't feel so all alone. Everybody must get wet! - as ever - BB

"Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby." - Langston Hughes

Neither snow nor...

"Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"  - Herodotus

Commonly believed to be the motto of the United States Postal Service, this quote describes the Roman historian's admiration for the Persian messenger service. Their task was to keep the emperor informed about the doings throughout his vast domain. The USPS has no official creed or motto. 

This misconception can be blamed on the architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White. They designed the James A. Farley Building in New York City at 8th Ave. & 33rd St., also known as the U.S. General Post Office. Their plans included placing this phrase onto the building. As a trivial aside, the inscription was carved by Ira Schnapp. He later designed the Action Comics logo as well as other logos for DC Comics. 

Originally, the receiver would pay for the letter. It wasn't until later that the postal service realized it would be more efficient and financially secure to have the sender pay for delivery up front. This brought about creation of the postage stamp. The idea of receiving the money up front probably came from another profession that predates even the ancient Persian messengers- as ever - BB

Lagniappe

This Louisiana Creole word means a "little extra something". It could be a mint on your pillow, a free cup of coffee, or an extra beignet in your bag. Kind of like a baker's dozen, but different. A Lagniappe is a freebie, given as a thank you, just a "little special" as they say on the Gulf Coast.

A baker's dozen traces it's origin back to a 13th century English law from the Assize of Bread & Ale. The court threatened draconian penalties on bakers and brewers who cheated their patrons. To insure they would abide by the law, bakers would add an extra loaf, roll, etc. Ergo, the baker's dozen is 13. There is no historical reference as to what the brewers did. Could that be why the Imperial pint is 20 0z. and our avoirdupois pint is 16 oz.? I'm not sure, but whenever I visit a public house and they serve their best bitter in an Imperial pint glass, I consider it a lagniappe. - as ever - BB

"He who has not been to a tavern knows not what a paradise it is." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow