Oh man, undo the belt buckles (brrrp!). One turkey dinner down, one to go. It's Thanksgiving in Canada, where we have the sense to spread out our holidays but not our turkey dinners. A big dinner with friends last night and another tonight with family ensures I'll go searching in the back of my closet for those elastic waist-band khakis. I know, I know. Don't wear white after Labour Day. Well, I'm expanding my fashion sense, not to mention my waistline.
Thanksgiving in Canada occurs sooner than in the States. Ours is the 2nd Monday in October. Theirs is the 4th Thursday in November. What's up with that? Were we faster in bringing in the harvest? Well, no. Actually the first Canadian Thanksgiving was celebrated by explorer Martin Frobisher in 1578. He was looking for the elusive northwest passage, a water route to the Pacific Ocean. He never found it. But he decided to celebrate his survival of a rather arduous expedition. Good on ya Martin. Nice bay they named after ya.
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Thay, anyone theen the northwest pathage, sweetie?
But Thanksgiving in Canada wasn't celebrated on a yearly basis until 1879 and our government didn't proclaim the day a holiday until 1957.
In the States, Thanksgiving has been an annual tradition since 1863. The American government saw fit to create a federal holiday in 1941.
Nevertheless, together we've managed to keep Butterball in business longer than the Ford Motor Company! (a little bail-out humour there).Apart from eating big turkey dinners this weekend, Canadians settle in to a big double-header of the Canadian Football League. How appropriate. The sad Canadian cousin of the NFL, turkey's an apt description.
But it is the time of year to give thanks. What am I thankful for?
1. Entertainment Tonight has finally stopped running Michael Jackson stories. He's D-E-A-D folks, let it go, Mary.
2. Directionless Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff's non-confidence motion failed to bring down the government, narrowly avoiding an election. Stephen Harper may have a hidden agenda but Ignatieff hasn't any agenda.
3. Late Night with David Letterman tapes in the afternoon. We now know what he does late night.
4. Bob Dylan's issued a Christmas album. Glad tithings of the season.
5. And, oh yes, elastic waist band khakis.
Comments
I loved learning about Canadian Turkey day and amen to the MJ news...let it die!
As many turkeys died in Canada recently.
I think you've got the best of both worlds - celebrate 2 Thanksgivings!
BTW, check out my blog today, you funny caption guy, you!
And, speaking of giving thanks, I've given you thanks today over at my place.
Happy Thanksgiving!