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Giving Thanks

Canadians are celebrating Thanksgiving today. I've taken the day off. But here's something I wrote at this time last year. I think you may learn something from it...and get a chuckle or two while you're at it.

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.
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?

Elastic waist band khakis, of course!


In Canada today, Google has observed our special day...



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Comments

Jen said…
What a bummer that you have to celebrate it on a Monday, is tomorrow your big shopping day? Today is still a holiday, but only for those who work for the post office, Columbus Day, we used to get school off for it but I think they gave someone else the day off and kept the kids in.
11 October 2010 at 09:13
nonamedufus said…
Jen: Yeah, I know. It's really rough having a long weekend at this time every year. Did Columbus deliver the first overseas package when he landed on your shores? Was there postage due?
11 October 2010 at 09:19
Anonymous said…
Hahahaha!

Hey I'm thankfor for ye Sir Nomesters!

And it looks to me like Mr. Frobisher was a metrosexual! Look at the manscaping on those legs!

Enjoy your turkey, I know I enjoyed more than a cluckle, erm, I mean chuckle or two from reading your funny post, Sir!

*grin*
11 October 2010 at 10:44
nonamedufus said…
Quirks: And I'm thankful to my #1 loyal fan. And thanks for not leaving any fowl comments!
11 October 2010 at 11:31
Leeuna said…
Gobble, gobble. Happy Thanksgiving Dufe. Eat lots of turkey and don't forget to loosen that belt. Unless you have a special holiday outfit like mine with lots of stretch in the fabric. :-)
11 October 2010 at 12:13
nonamedufus said…
I love turkey. But it wasn't an entirely perfect Thanksgiving. I missed out on pumpkin pie. *sighs*
11 October 2010 at 12:21
00dozo said…
Happy Turkey Day (again)! What, no pumpkin pie for you?? How blasphemous! Guess you're gonna have to throw in some pumpkin seeds among the zucchini in the garden next year. Heh, heh.

I'm thankful I won't have to cook turkey until Christmas - there's only two of us and it's hard to find an eight-pounder. That, and I don't care for turkey so much, but I do make a wicked stuffing!

Oh, and pumpkin pie, too!
;-)
11 October 2010 at 13:25
Kelly said…
You guys celebrate Thanksgiving Day in October because it's when the NHL season starts and THAT is something to be thankful for.
11 October 2010 at 13:34
Linda Medrano said…
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you and your family have a marvelous time. I personally hate turkey but cook them up once a year in November. They are disgusting. But what are you gonna do?
11 October 2010 at 13:52
nonamedufus said…
00dozo: 8 pounder? That's a turkey for sissies.
11 October 2010 at 14:41
nonamedufus said…
Kelly: I feel closer to you already...and I'm thankful.
11 October 2010 at 14:42
nonamedufus said…
Linda: Turkeys are disgusting? No, no, you've got it wrong. Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy...I'm in heaven here. What's disgusting is turducken. I haven't tried it but I guess a bird in the hand is worth three in the oven.
11 October 2010 at 14:46
cardiogirl said…
Happy Turkey Day. I didn't realize today was Columbus Day until 5 pm when I was standing on the porch moaning about how late the mail was.

Oh. Right.

No mail on the fake Columbus Day Holiday. Grrr.

Oh yeah. Glad you had the day off. Yay.
11 October 2010 at 19:49
KiKi said…
Happy Thanksgiving, eh! Hope it was a great one and you enjoyed all the yumminess!
11 October 2010 at 19:56
injaynesworld said…
How completely civilized of Canada to think of putting more room between their holidays. I just learned of your Thanksgiving today. Next year, I think I'll see if I can generate some enthusiasm for switching dates for ours, as well. Happy Turkey Day, my friend.
11 October 2010 at 20:15
nonamedufus said…
CG: Turkey Day was great. I love me some turkey.
11 October 2010 at 22:00
nonamedufus said…
KiKi:Oh it was great alright. And a 10 in the yumminess department.
11 October 2010 at 22:01
nonamedufus said…
Jayne: Here, when Thanksgiving rolls around, we know for sure summer's over. But at least we have a while to go before winter...I hope.
11 October 2010 at 22:04
Nicky said…
Hope you enjoyed yourself Noname. I know my elastic waist pants are feeling a little snug :-)
11 October 2010 at 22:25
nonamedufus said…
Nicky: *in best Homer Simpson voice when he says "beer"* Turrrkey! *burrrp*
12 October 2010 at 08:00
K A B L O O E Y said…
AHhahahahaha. Great selection of cartoons. Loved the roasted Big Bird. Not going to show that one to the daughter, but it cracked me up. Hope you had an excellent holiday; thanks for the education.
12 October 2010 at 21:43
nonamedufus said…
KABLOOEY: I liked that one too, and the blind farmer one. We had a great Thanksgiving weekend with the main big meal Sunday with friends and their family - about 20 people. Monday was a quiet affair with my wife and I and meatloaf and oysters Rockefeller. Yummm.
13 October 2010 at 08:17
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