Recycled 2010 Thanksgiving Photo
Happy Thanksgiving to all my beloved blog readers. I just read some of your comments on the last post and was so moved by your kind words. Maureen posted: “I recall posting here last Thanksgiving, directed at Gloria, and saying that I hoped that this year at Thanksgiving, we would all still be here, reading Ann’s blog, and would be able to say that we are all thankful that Gloria had successfully beaten the big C…Gloria, how are you doing?”
This is the kind of thing that makes this blog so special to me. Many of you have been reading and commenting faithfully for years now and I’ve come to think of you all as good friends, though I’ve only met a small number of you. I love the fact that, quite often, the comments are more interesting than the original posts and through the comments, we’ve grown to know each other and have formed a sort of community.
I’m quite fascinated with communities at present, as my new novel is about a small town. There’s a scene in the novel, in which the main character recalls singing a solo at a candlelight Christmas Eve service when she was a young child. Of course, she was very nervous because the faces of the congregation were distorted beyond recognition by the flickering light and the snaking tendrils of black smoke that arose from the hand-held candles, and it was a little spooky, up there all alone. She was in front of the whole parish – all her friends and her family and some people she didn’t know – but she couldn’t quite see any of their faces, so she was shaking and her voice wavered and the first few first lines of the carol were almost inaudible. She muddled through her excruciating solo – the opening stanza of O Holy Night, and then it was time for the choir and the entire congregation to join in with chorus and the child was filled with the sensation of being suddenly buoyed up and then lifted out of herself by the community. Then she was able to really sing out with joy, and could suddenly make out the faces of her neighbors, her mother, her friends. Well, I wish I could just post the scene as I wrote it but I don’t think I’m allowed by my publisher. I’m in a hurry and can’t do it justice in this little summation, except to say that that’s what happens here, in a sense. I have friends who have started blogs because publishers have requested that they do so, but they don’t allow comments, and to me, that’s just a series of articles. A good blog is like a nice small town. There are people you love, people you don’t like, even a few cranky and nutty people, but they become your cranky and nutty people and you grow to care about even them. Sometimes, especially them.
So, this Thanksgiving, I am most grateful for my communities – my family, my town, and you, my dear blog friends.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Ann!
I’m also grateful for the friends I’ve made through this blog – and how your beautiful and often humorous words bring us all together. There is something extraordinary in that.
happy thanksgiving to all!
i, too, love this little blog community and all the great people i’ve met. ann, no pressure, but you’re like our mayor…. with arliss, kc, colleen, bev, alan etc. on the city council. aislinn was going to be deputy mayor but she opted instead to be the activities director. i’m pretty sure she’s planning an event for the lido deck of some tug boat somewhere.
I’m new here…in fact, new to commenting anywhere…don’t know what Im looking for, not even sure what brought me here, but I do know that it makes me smile, and that is new, and that is pretty great. Im Canadian, but a New Yorker at heart… so Happy Thanksgiving Neighbours (with a ‘u’)!
Welcome neighbo(u)r!
Hi fellow Canadian neighbo(u)r! I’ve been a lurker for ages now, but so enjoy this blog (it is one I check out daily) and reading the comments from all in this great community..that I felt I must pop in and say ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ to our all our great American neighbors!
One of the funniest..most sincere..genuine blogs out there! Thanks Ann.
Tracey in Toronto
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!
I read Ann’s blog and must agree with her on the subject today -I love the chattiness of the replies and that so many have developed friendships from coming here so often!
I tend to lurk and not comment alot but Ann’s blog is quite often a bright spot in my day!!
So — enjoy your Thanksgiving — we Canadians had ours last month but it is always a treat getting together with loved ones and family & friends!!
And while I am not celebrating with turkey and the trimmings — I am enjoying the day in my own fashion!
Joletta from Calgary
How American of me to not take into consideration that it’s not Thanksgiving day for everybody who read this.
Nice to hear from you Joletta!
Nice post, Ann, as much as we love and appreciate your words of wisdom, be they witty or serious, it’s just as nice to be appreciated as commenters by the blog owner.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. I am a first time commentor, though I’ve read your blog for years. I am grateful to be able to have the pleasure of your wit, your readers wit and to share common experiences. Though I.don’t actually know you I feel like we are old friends. Keep blogging!
It’s actually kind of east coast weather out here on the west coast and makes everything cozier for us transplants.. Don’t forget the smell of incense in your novel. Reminds me of the first time I played organ in church on a Crhistmas many years ago. I WAS petrified until an elderly man came over from the back of the loft and smiled as I started to play.
He fillled me with joy. When I finished the piece and looked up he was gone. My Crhistmas angel, I always believed
Patricia, how beautiful. I love that.
Patricia,
Your story just warmed my heart. Beautiful.
Happy Thanksgiving from the West Coast. I have been lucky enough to meet a few of the readers/posters/bloggers here on the west and east coast. And can’t wait to meet more of them. Truly inspiring, entertaining and wonderful people.
Oops, didn’t mean to hit that dang smiley guy. On second thought, that’s how i feel!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Ann. I have met some great people through this blog and I’m thankful that we have been brought together. Many blessings to all!
Thanks Ann… been here since day one. FYI Occupy LA is still peaceful … just a march on Tues. You really are not a normal 1% it really was so sweet that you even considered having coffee when I was visiting my Dad. Really was a shame you were busy. When he died I did have the thought there would be no reason to visit CT again…we would probably never meet but you always have my best wishes for you an your family
Thanks for the blog.. it is really a special community that I have been thankful for
Grateful to have discovered your wonderful blog. We share much in common…endless love for our animals, a good book, family, humor. Hope you and your enjoy a wonderful day together.
Next Thanksgiving will you all please remind me what a bad cook I am BEFORE I start brining and basting. NIGHTMARE
Oh Ann, so sorry your turkey was unsuccessful. Sounds like you were overthinking the whole process. Unless you went out and killed your own turkey they don’t have to be brined or basted. Just remove the wrapper, season with a few herbs, salt and pepper, put some pats of butter under the skin on top and roast at 325 for the recommended time/size.Tent with alum foil to keep from overbrowning after a couple of hours of roasting.
Or, you all could come to my house next year for Thanksgiving.
: )
I have 3 words for this>Stop & Shop…got a complete prepared dinner, put it in some nice dishes and got rid of the evidence…1st time I did this and probably won’t be the last. What can I say…it’s been a tough couple of weeks. The food was really good and no one was the wiser (except for me). At first I felt guilty, but got over it pretty quickly.
Happy Thanksgiving Ann! I’ve enjoyed your blog for several years now and I’m always happy when there is a new post. Thank you for sharing your life with us, it makes my day brighter.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you here at the blog. I too have been here since the beginning, and I’m always so glad I’ve stuck around. I’ve been super busy at school this year with new responsibilities and haven’t been here as much as I’d like. But know that I think of you all as friends and wish you the best of holidays. Even my non-American friends here–it really is an extra day to count your blessings ! And my online friends really are part of my blessings–this blog started when I started my radiation treatments; you truly have no idea how much you have seen me through. Hope to be back regularly, but in the meantime, enjoy your day !
Survivors , and those that love them feel a special gratitude. Best gift ever—extra years of LIVING
Oh Patricia………..SO TRUE !!!!!
I for one have missed you, Barbara. I also went thru my radiation shortly after I discovered Ann’s blog. I was not here for yours, but you were here for mine, and I was so thankful for you and all the women who sent me kind and loving thoughts as I was diagnosed and then treated for my breast cancer.
Thank you all!
Happy holiday to you and yours, toots!
Happy Thanksgiving Ann! I feel as though many of you are friends even though I have only met the fabulous lisa. And that wouldn’t have been possible without this blog.
Thankful for this blog and all readers/posters. You inspire me and make me laugh – priceless!
This is perhaps my favorite place on the entire Internet. Really. And those of you who participate in this community – those who comment and those who lurk, those I’ve become friends with and those I haven’t met yet – are among my very favorite people. Thanks to all of you for being here. Really.
Amen to that!
Wait for it….wait for it ….you know this is hard for me….
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I’d like to say that I’ve loved reading this blog, and all of the wonderful comments for quite a while now. I always check in no matter where I am, and when I’m in a foreign country, reading it feels like home.
I’ve met some of the most wonderful people right here, and have learned so much by reading snippets of people’s daily lives.
The humor, honesty, compassion, and respect shown by everyone here is a true gift.
Ann, I know I thanked you last year, and I’ll thank you again and again for creating this wonderful place for all of us to share.
P.S. I love the cranky posters. They get my motor running!
Ais, I so agree! Ann, thank you for all you share with us through your blog, and thank you for this amazing place. It am so very grateful for this community of wonderful people.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I love your definition of a blog
Wish there was a LIKE button! I would be using it like crazy for today. Love what you, Ann, and our blog friends wrote!
I am making turkey today. Yesterday all I heard was ‘brining, brining and more brining!’ Thought about doing it last night when we got home. So glad I didn’t. Thanks for the great tip Annie!
You are welcome, Christine. Brining is just a fad, never heard of it in my day. Hope your turkey comes out fine!
Annie, it was great! Thanks for the tips. I never put pats of butter under the skin, and that made a huge difference! The turkey was moist and I did the aluminum foil tent as you recommended, too. I usually put the roasting pan lid on and then remove it the last hour so the turkey browns. As you can tell I usually don’t make turkey a lot or have Thanksgiving at my home……now I feel so empowered!!!! Thanks again Annie!
Happy Day After Thanksgiving.. never got to my computer yesterday.. hope all blog friends had a wonderful time.. Greatful to all of you for your thoughts and insights.
and Thank you to Ann for not giving up on your blog!
I’m grateful for everyone who makes this space warm & thoughtful, energized with ideas & shared experiences, diverse & hilarious. There are a lot of days I don’t get out, or if I do it’s only to clock some training miles with my recumbent trike, to walk the dogs, run an errand. Weeks can go by w/o actual in-person company of anyone other than my husband (who is glorious & devoted but works really long hours). Time with him & the occasions I do make it to lunch with a friend, those moments are precious, savored. I offer this up not as an oh-poor-me because my life is *anything* but. It is, however, quite isolated, because pain & fatigue just have an unfortunate way of “limiting.” My point is that I very often get my social/community/chatty/arty/thought-provoking & laugh-inducing engagement from you who show up here, who make up this wicked good community. All of your stories, your horses & dogs – they are light streaming in & dancing off the walls & floors, and your voices ring like morning church-bell tidings. I thank each of you for that. I thank you most especially, Ann.
Thank you Maureen and everyone on this blog. I’ve had so much fun here. I am doing fine. As for the big “C” I can’t believe it’s been over a year! It was caught at an early stage therefore I have good reason to feel it is defeated.
My Oncologist, tall, imposing man semi-barks at me like he’s a loud grade school teacher or a marine drill sargeant with grand hand gestures and a rich Eastern European accent.
“Eat well! Berries are good for you! Don’t stress! Don’t be sad! Sadness very bad for you! Be Happy!” —-Don’t be sad?? I didn’t find the time to be. He was cracking me up (his message is sound), I was trying not to laugh.
I courageously invited 10 people for Thanksgiving and actually cooked the bird myself, for the first time. I was afraid it would turn into birdzilla. Mom helped alot. I shopped, chopped, cooked, marinated, and once I got over my nerves about cooking it was quite fun. Three toddlers kept the atomsphere lively, if not circus-like. I will be eating leftovers for awhile.
Happy Holiday Season Everyone!
Gloria
Gloria, I think I have a crush on your doctor
Barbara and Linda,
All the best to you both!
Gloria
So glad to hear that you are well Gloria! My oncologist is a is a soft-spoken woman; when she asks me to do something
I do it because she is so nice about it, and she has
saved my life. I hate to disappoint her. But she and
my husband share similar tastes in movies–so I think he
has the crush!! I have no desire to take on another
doctor, but a crush would be fun !!!
Thank you, Gloria. Glad to get a report on you. My oncologist is a young Chinese woman named Yuan Yuan. I like her a lot. Especially like her clothes and shoes. She always looks terrific.
Gloria, so glad that you are doing well!
Thanks, Ann for writing such a fine blog. I love the range and depth of topics (and the way you managed the ranco(u)r of the OWS outbursts, btw).
You strike a deeply satisfying balance and flow of subject matter and emotion, text and photos.
The way you lead us from laughter to tears also prompts some thoughtful, funny, and beautifully written responses, which in themselves are worth reading!
Hope everybody enjoys the spirit of Thanksgiving, whenever it happens.
That OWS back & forth was intense! Or was it just me? Felt a bit like a mob of strangers hopped up on righteous indignation & armed w/Piss-poor Bad Manners for Dummies crashed our peace, love & poetry commune . . .
Well said, Denise! Lol. The OWS “invasion” made me appreciate this kind, supportive community even more. Those outbursts seemed to threaten personal safety somehow.
Ann’s readers may hold different opinions, but we don’t get hostile about it!
Hey all, checking in from the farm in Tennessee. Not wearing a coat because it is so nice down here, yippee. Hope all my blog mates have all had a Happy Thanksgiving. xooxo
Candy, you’re in my home state….beautiful day today, wasn’t it? Hope you had a great holiday.
I have not been on my computer the last couple of days, so this is late. I just want to say, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am thankful for this blog with all its wonderful bloggers. Ann, many a day, I walk away with a big smile on my face to start the day. How great is that! Thank you
In the whole world of the internet, this is literally one of the few things I read and love. Thanks Ann for just being you and REALLY saying what’s on most of our minds
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Denis, and your kids.Can’t forget
xxoo
those adorable dogs and horses, too.
Happy Thanksgiving Ann!!, I am thankful for you, and thankful the wonderful people you have brought into my life, People i have spent a lot of time with and I adore… Thankyou!
Right back at you, Ann. Thank you for your gift of words and pictures that make me laugh, make me cry and everything in between. I so enjoy your blog. You’re honest, funny, truthful, prolific…real. Many blessings to you and your family this holiday season!!