Thanksgiving definitely means recalling things you are blessed with or grateful for. It signifies the end of harvest season and buying pumpkins. It is a time to gather with family and friends to celebrate old traditions and create new ones.
Most Thanksgiving weekends we are also celebrating our anniversary. We got married in 1994 and, that year, SK was experiencing above average temperatures. The Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, on our wedding day, it was a high of 15°. Today, on thanksgiving Saturday in Kamsack, the forecast high is 17°. Unfortunately, I recall the winter that followed our wedding was blustery and there was lots of snow. I remember some good blizzards living in Moose Jaw.
Thanksgiving is a time for a big meal with family or friends. We have always been fortunate to have close friends to celebrate Thanksgiving with if we were living away from family. Whomever we celebrated with, we like to enjoy a big meal then play some games.
Thanksgiving weekend is a time to put away summer things and bring out the winter stuff. Chris will change the tires on the car. I will put away sandals and summer clothes and bring out the boots, parkas, mitts and toques. We’ll make sure winter emergency kits get put back in the car and ensure that flashlight batteries still work. It is a good time to check and/or replace batteries in smoke detectors as well.
Thanksgiving is also election season. This year it is municipal elections in Alberta. We plan to vote at the advance poll today; the date of the election is Oct. 18. There are 24 candidates running in Ward 1(Fort McMurray city) for only 6 seats on council. Our close friend Dale is one of the candidates. In Alberta, while voting for the municipal election, there will also be provincial referendum questions to vote on.
One is about whether to have the province stay on Daylight Savings Time and never have to change our clocks. I looked up the sunrise and sunset on the shortest day of the year for both Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie. Currently, on December 21, the sun rises at 9:00a.m. and sets at 3:47p.m. in Fort McMurray. It rises at 9:19a.m. and sets at 4:27p.m. in Grande Prairie. If the province votes to stay on DST, the sunrise will be 10:00 and 10:19 for the two communities!! For me, the sun helps me to get motivated to get on with my day. I will be voting NO!
A favourite seasonal children’s book of mine entitled “Bear Says Thanks” by Karma Wilson provides a great description of Thanksgiving. Mouse, Hare, Badger, Mole, Gopher, Owl Raven and Wren all arrive one at a time to Bear’s den each bringing something to share.
In a cave in the woods, in a warm bright lair, the friends feel grateful for their good friend Bear. They pass around platters. They tweet and they chatter and they all say, “Thanks!”
Whatever your Thanksgiving weekend plans are, I hope you are able to spend some time with close friends and/or family. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
Corinne, first of HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you and Chris. We remember that day with much happiness and honoured to attend with Janet.
Secondly, HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Very quiet here in our household. Going to Janet & Mark’s tonight for chinese supper. Looking forward to it.
We have much to be THANKFUL for – family, friends, health etc. etc. etc.
Originally I was going to vote YES for time change, but after reading that the sun will come up MUCH LATER, I’ll vote NO. Need all the sunlight we can get.
Thanks for your interesting blogs.
Happy thanksgiving and be sure to celebrate your anniversary. Bless you both
Blessing to all who read this on this Thanksgiving weekend!
I think we upheld the 17, we were all out on the patio visiting till the supper bell 🔔 ring.
8 surrounded the table with Dad and I!
Today we will have a few different ones here to join us.
We plan also to sit outdoors during the afternoon, morning @+1.♥️
Congratulations on your anniversity ,I remember your wonderful wedding!
I thank God for you all and pray continued blessings on your family.