Guest guest Posted November 21, 2001 Report Share Posted November 21, 2001 Ann, Kathleen, I heard on the radio this morning, a trivia contest, that the first Thanksgiving was actually celebrated in June. I thought that strange since harvest is far from over by then. Don't know if it is true, but interesting. Will have to check that fact or fiction out after all my work is done. LindaRed Barn Enterpriseshttp://www.geocities.com/redbarnenterprisesCandles & Metal Home Decor - Kathleen Petrides Wednesday, November 21, 2001 1:13 PM Thanksgiving Hey Ann This will be VERY quick as Teddy Boy doesn't like to sleep anywhere except squished up to Mummys boobs...I'm sure someone will give you a more complete answer later... When the pilgrims first came to the new world, life was of course extremely hard. During the first spring and summer, they survived mainly due to the help of the Native Americans, who showed them how and what to plant in the line of native plants, and when the harvest came, the pilgrims threw a HUGE feast, to give thanks for the help of the Native Indians, and of course to God, for their plentiful harvest. So we commemorate that first harvest on the last Thursday of November (although, being no history expert, I suspect that it wasn't ACTUALLY that date when the first great feast was held. Butch will be able to tell you more) by celebrating with the kinds of foods that are held to have been eaten on that Thanksgiving. Many families say a huge prayer for all the things they have to be thankful for, and others (like ours) just talk about the good things we have in our lives, and talk about things that havent' been so good. Anyway, thats a short explaination of why we have things like HUGE Turkeys (ours is 23 pounds this year or 1 stone 9pounds), pumpkin pie, potatoes, squashes etc. Hope that helps! Cheers!Kathleen PetridesSmeLLeNNiuM: 101 Aromatic Storieshttp://www.101aromas.com - Ann Wednesday, November 21, 2001 10:34 AM Re: giving thanks, story of an old goat ... Thanks for that Jim, it's just how I feel about my fourlegged friends too Now, I could look this up on the web, but by now feel safe enough on the group to ask! I've always know that American's celebrate 'Thanksgiving' but never really know what it was for, how it originated. Does anyone, amidst their celebrating - or afterwards of course - have time to give me the history on it please? Thanks - and please, do enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday Regards Ann- Scotland - James W. French 21 November 2001 17:12 giving thanks, story of an old goat ... Have a wonderful Thanksgiving - I will behaving my friends over for Thanksgiving Dinner, and also out to dinnerso there is cooking and not cooking going on... Its anew tradition with us to do both...!I'll be here posting over the long weekend. I will be working also Ihave 3 massages to do today in fact...I am so thankful for you and for our time on the net.. Thanks ...IRemember to take time to focus on what we all are grateful for andthankfulfor ..... I like to take time to write down what I'm grateful for.Love to you all...again ThanksJimnow about this story.. I have kept pets and pets that produce also..right now I have 8 chickens for example... this story is an old one ithas been told before...many times over... today in our world we arefaced with real threats to our lives, our food, and our pets and producefriends.... so now.. from my friends on the foot and mouth disease listand fromfrom GoatsUK:GIFT OF THE OLD ONEBy Eunice Day, Washington METhe young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit tothe little farm where dwelt theirelderly parents with their small herd of goats. The farm had been namedLone Pine Farm because ofthe huge pine which topped the hill behind the farm, and through theyears had become a talisman tothe old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.The old folks no longer showed their goats, for the years had takentheir toll, but they sold a littlemilk, and a few kids each year, and the goats were their reason for joyin the morning andcontentment at day's end.Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the oldfolks. "Why do you not atleast dispose of "The Old One". She is no longer of use to you. It'sbeen years since you've had eitherkids or milk from her. You should cut corners and save where you can.Why do you keep heranyway?" The old man looked down as his worn boot scuffed at the barnfloor and his arm stoledefensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her to him and rubbedher gently behind the ears.He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Only because of love."Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wifea Merry Christmas and headedback toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.So it was, that because of the leave-taking, no one noticed theinsulation smouldering on the frayedwires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "OldOne".In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flameswere licking at the loft full ofhay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wifeto call for help as he raced tothe barn to save their beloved goats. But the flames were roaring now,and the blazing heat drove himback. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury.By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruinswere left, and the old man andhis wife. They thanked those who had come to their aid, and the old manturned to his wife, restingher white head upon his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with afrayed red bandana.Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our homeon this eve of Christmas.Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine where we have soughtcomfort in times of despair. Wewill look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has beenspared."And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as hebrushed aside his own tearswith the back of his hand. As they stepped over the little knoll at thecrest of the hill, they looked upand gasped in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly,every glorious, brilliant starin the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches oftheir beloved pine, and it wasaglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystalcrescent moon glistenedlike spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree suchas this.Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy as hepulled his wife forward. There,beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift.Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was theentire herd, safe. At thefirst hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle andhad led the goats through it.Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them upthe hill, stepping daintilythrough the snow. The kids were frightened and dashed about. Theskittish yearlings looked back atthe crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as theylicked their lips and hopped likerabbits. The milkers pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she movedcalmly up the hill and tosafety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at thefaces of those she loved. Herbody was brittle with years, but the golden eyes were filled withdevotion as she offered hergift-Because of love. Only Because of love.i always have kept the oldones to teach the new ones and to rule theroost or lead the way...it is the old dog that teaches the new pup itstricks and cat its wisdom and even the old birds their ways and sheepand goats and cattle their paths ..... and it is love that keeps usgoing on...it is love that tends us as though we were sheep as well.... A Thankfull Thanksgiving to you and my Thanks. jfMy Pictures of Aromatic Plants and Exotic Places In Turkeyhttp://members.home.net/chrisziggy1/triptoturkey.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2001 Report Share Posted November 21, 2001 Hi Kathleen Thanks for taking some of your very precious time to tell me about Thanksgiving Over here we have Harvest Festivals. These aren't celebrated by as many people as they used to be. They usually centre around a church service and lots of fresh food and flowers decorate the church and are later given away to the needy in the locality. They're usually held late September/early October. Also some places have Harvest Suppers whcih, rather than being a family thing, tend to be a community celebration. Have to say - doesn't sound as if we enjoy ourselves as much as you do! Regards Ann - Scotland - Kathleen Petrides 21 November 2001 19:13 Thanksgiving Hey Ann This will be VERY quick as Teddy Boy doesn't like to sleep anywhere except squished up to Mummys boobs...I'm sure someone will give you a more complete answer later... When the pilgrims first came to the new world, life was of course extremely hard. During the first spring and summer, they survived mainly due to the help of the Native Americans, who showed them how and what to plant in the line of native plants, and when the harvest came, the pilgrims threw a HUGE feast, to give thanks for the help of the Native Indians, and of course to God, for their plentiful harvest. So we commemorate that first harvest on the last Thursday of November (although, being no history expert, I suspect that it wasn't ACTUALLY that date when the first great feast was held. Butch will be able to tell you more) by celebrating with the kinds of foods that are held to have been eaten on that Thanksgiving. Many families say a huge prayer for all the things they have to be thankful for, and others (like ours) just talk about the good things we have in our lives, and talk about things that havent' been so good. Anyway, thats a short explaination of why we have things like HUGE Turkeys (ours is 23 pounds this year or 1 stone 9pounds), pumpkin pie, potatoes, squashes etc. Hope that helps! Cheers!Kathleen PetridesSmeLLeNNiuM: 101 Aromatic Storieshttp://www.101aromas.com - Ann Wednesday, November 21, 2001 10:34 AM Re: giving thanks, story of an old goat ... Thanks for that Jim, it's just how I feel about my fourlegged friends too Now, I could look this up on the web, but by now feel safe enough on the group to ask! I've always know that American's celebrate 'Thanksgiving' but never really know what it was for, how it originated. Does anyone, amidst their celebrating - or afterwards of course - have time to give me the history on it please? Thanks - and please, do enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday Regards Ann- Scotland - James W. French 21 November 2001 17:12 giving thanks, story of an old goat ... Have a wonderful Thanksgiving - I will behaving my friends over for Thanksgiving Dinner, and also out to dinnerso there is cooking and not cooking going on... Its anew tradition with us to do both...!I'll be here posting over the long weekend. I will be working also Ihave 3 massages to do today in fact...I am so thankful for you and for our time on the net.. Thanks ...IRemember to take time to focus on what we all are grateful for andthankfulfor ..... I like to take time to write down what I'm grateful for.Love to you all...again ThanksJimnow about this story.. I have kept pets and pets that produce also..right now I have 8 chickens for example... this story is an old one ithas been told before...many times over... today in our world we arefaced with real threats to our lives, our food, and our pets and producefriends.... so now.. from my friends on the foot and mouth disease listand fromfrom GoatsUK:GIFT OF THE OLD ONEBy Eunice Day, Washington METhe young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit tothe little farm where dwelt theirelderly parents with their small herd of goats. The farm had been namedLone Pine Farm because ofthe huge pine which topped the hill behind the farm, and through theyears had become a talisman tothe old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.The old folks no longer showed their goats, for the years had takentheir toll, but they sold a littlemilk, and a few kids each year, and the goats were their reason for joyin the morning andcontentment at day's end.Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the oldfolks. "Why do you not atleast dispose of "The Old One". She is no longer of use to you. It'sbeen years since you've had eitherkids or milk from her. You should cut corners and save where you can.Why do you keep heranyway?" The old man looked down as his worn boot scuffed at the barnfloor and his arm stoledefensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her to him and rubbedher gently behind the ears.He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Only because of love."Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wifea Merry Christmas and headedback toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.So it was, that because of the leave-taking, no one noticed theinsulation smouldering on the frayedwires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "OldOne".In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flameswere licking at the loft full ofhay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wifeto call for help as he raced tothe barn to save their beloved goats. But the flames were roaring now,and the blazing heat drove himback. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury.By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruinswere left, and the old man andhis wife. They thanked those who had come to their aid, and the old manturned to his wife, restingher white head upon his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with afrayed red bandana.Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our homeon this eve of Christmas.Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine where we have soughtcomfort in times of despair. Wewill look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has beenspared."And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as hebrushed aside his own tearswith the back of his hand. As they stepped over the little knoll at thecrest of the hill, they looked upand gasped in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly,every glorious, brilliant starin the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches oftheir beloved pine, and it wasaglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystalcrescent moon glistenedlike spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree suchas this.Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy as hepulled his wife forward. There,beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift.Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was theentire herd, safe. At thefirst hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle andhad led the goats through it.Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them upthe hill, stepping daintilythrough the snow. The kids were frightened and dashed about. Theskittish yearlings looked back atthe crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as theylicked their lips and hopped likerabbits. The milkers pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she movedcalmly up the hill and tosafety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at thefaces of those she loved. Herbody was brittle with years, but the golden eyes were filled withdevotion as she offered hergift-Because of love. Only Because of love.i always have kept the oldones to teach the new ones and to rule theroost or lead the way...it is the old dog that teaches the new pup itstricks and cat its wisdom and even the old birds their ways and sheepand goats and cattle their paths ..... and it is love that keeps usgoing on...it is love that tends us as though we were sheep as well.... A Thankfull Thanksgiving to you and my Thanks. jfMy Pictures of Aromatic Plants and Exotic Places In Turkeyhttp://members.home.net/chrisziggy1/triptoturkey.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 25, 2005 Report Share Posted November 25, 2005 Happy Thanksgiving! Amanda Sullivan www.amandassoapsandsweets.net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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