Am I the only one who gets really annoyed by people referring to the fourth Thursday of November as “Turkey Day”?
Not that I’ve got anything against turkey, mind you. It’s tasty. It’s remarkably plumed. Ben Franklin could have gotten his way and had it made the national bird, for all I care. Turkey, in and of itself is not, the problem. This is a matter of respect, and the dignity of names.
I don’t know that holidays have feelings, but if they did, how do you suppose Thanksgiving would feel about being called Turkey Day? Belittled, perhaps? Underappreciated? Loved only for its traditional bounteous feast? Singled out, probably; we don’t treat the rest of the holidays this way!
And, hey, why not? Why not give up the charade of caring what holidays are really about and just call a spade by how we honestly perceive the spade all year long? A sneak peek at the adjusted calendar, everyone:
Valentine’s Day = Spend Big Money on Your Woman Day
Presidents’ Day = Day Off from School
Easter = Candy Day
Birthdays = Cake Day
Independence Day = Fireworks Day
Minstrel Day = Totally Oughtta Be a Holiday
Labor Day = Barbeque Day
All Hallows’ Even = Candy Day Part II
Christmas = Presents Day
New Year’s Eve = Stay Up and Party ‘Til the Next Day …Day
Tacky, isn’t it? So here’s an idea – how’s about we all show Thanksgiving a little consideration by remembering what the day is actually for. Not parades, not football, not awesome pilgrim hats; not even the sweet delights of turkey, pumpkin pie, and all the good eats in between. It’s about giving thanks; expressing gratitude for the stuff we’ll probably go back to taking for granted, most of the rest of the year. I’ll lead off:
Thank you, family, friends, followers, and strangers, for taking a few minutes out of your day to read my blog. I truly appreciate the attention, the support, and the opportunity to share my words with you.
And thank you, too, Thanksgiving! – for just your being you.
Ever On Word 
You know…I like what you said!
Thank you for stopping by the blog and the shout out to Catherine.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I’m glad to hear it! (:
Both you and Catherine are quite welcome; always a pleasure to support my blog buddies.
Thank you for dropping in here, and “Happy Thanksgiving” back atcha!
Happy Thanking Day!!! You’re so right about all the other holidays. Christmas day for me and my family growing up was really about taking advantage of everyone’s respective jobs being closed down, staying home, playing Rummikub, drinking hot cocoa, and eating at a traditionally Buddhist or Hindu restaurant…they would be the ones open, for obvious reasons. 🙂
Ha ha, you and your minstrels. I suppose we all are entitled to our writerly obsessions. 🙂
That’s one of the many excellent things about holidays: They can mean so many different special things to everyone (including, one hopes, what the holiday is actually intended for)!
Lol — obsession, or trademark? Specialize, my friend; it’s good to have a niche!
Enjoy your day, dude!
Obsession = Trademark.
Minstrels = Deshipley.
Houseplants = JP.
Exactly.
You too!
I equate with minstrels?! Excuse me while I have an emotional moment… *teary smile*
I don’t know if that’s over-the-line or not.
Will have to get back to you about that later, after my annual turkey binge-day.
Okay, turkey’s over. My verdict: No, that’s not over the line at all. Have a great evening!
You do likewise! (:
A clarification on your calendar is in order:
Easter = Candy Eggs in a Basket Day
Halloween = Candy Shakedown While Wearing a Mask Day
Hahaha! — that trips even more lightly off the tongue than All Hallows Even! Gotta love a holiday where they sanction national door-to-door robbery. X)