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Christi Diggs
on May 23 2013 - 06:00 AM
A drop of spin, a cup of deception and tsp. politics=Apathy
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Lindsay Metcalf
on May 22 2013 - 06:00 AM
When that tornado siren sounds, I'm in the basement
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mara williams
on May 21 2013 - 06:00 AM
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Nordstrom's sign from last year.
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday because its name says it all. So, please don’t even think about calling it Turkey Day. That just cheapens it to some sort of fraternity binge-fest.
Besides, being vegetarians, we are often asked what we "do" for Thanksgiving, as if it's all about the turkey. Well, just like our omnivorous neighbors, for us it’s about celebrating with family and being grateful. However, each year Thanksgiving seems to get shoved further and further into the oppressive abyss of advertising and consumerism and the gluttony of consumption on every level.
I heard the other day that the 40” flat screen TV is the new 32”. The Kardashians have a line of clothing. (So who are they, anyway? And why am I supposed to care?) There are tips on Yahoo’s newsfeed on how to avoid over-eating. (Is that news, really?) And as if Black Friday isn’t the foulest and most blatantly obnoxious creation that sums up our culture, it’s now creeping into Thanksgiving Day itself.Retail employees are being asked to give up their time with family so they can work on Thanksgiving night. One Target employee has started an online petition (check in out here) to help change the company policy.
Can we just stop?! Stop the insanity. Stop the gluttony. Stop the noise. Stop the blitzing from one sugar high to the next.
Here’s a tip to keep from over-indulging during the holidays – quit inhaling grub! It’s not a race or a contest.
At least slow down and get quiet just for just a second and say, “Thank you.”
Shut off the TV. Log off of Facebook. Stay in bed rather than waiting in line in the wee hours to buy stuff we probably don’t really need. I love Nordstrom’s policy of waiting to decorate their stores until after Thanksgiving. What a brilliant marketing strategy! I hope other retailers follow their lead.
Did you know that the day after Thanksgiving is also the National Day of Listening? It’s a day when we’re encouraged to tell stories and interview people in our families or in our neighborhoods. We helped our 6-year-old daughter participate last year by arranging an interview with her grandmother. It turned out really cool. Check out the site here: http://nationaldayoflistening.org/
And this year we’re starting a new tradition. It’s called Bright Light Friday – a positive alternative to its more aggressive, shopping cart-wielding alter ego. It’s a celebration of family, fun, dancing, and singing.
Skip the craziness of Black Friday shopping and shine your light on family time with a free concert next Friday at 10:30 a.m., at the Plaza Branch of the Kansas City Public Library, 4801 Main Street.
We named the event in honor of our dear friend Bongo Barry Bernstein, a beloved local children’s entertainer who died unexpectedly in 2009. His song “I am a Bright Light” encourages kids to remember that they are perfect just as they are.
Please join us. I’ll be performing there with some of my friends. It’s free. It’s fun. It’s family. It’s friends. And it’s our way of showing our overwhelming gratitude for a blessed life. More info at: www.jimcosgrove.com/calendar.
I agree that each year it gets crazier and crazier, with stores being open and all. Some years, after we have eaten dinner, the family has gone to see a movie and that was kind of cool, no greasy popcorn needed since we had eaten all of our wonderful food at home. Last year I was kind of grateful that there was a store open because my daughter's pants ripped and she had to go to work (she worked at a bed and breakfast, they are open every day of the year) so we had to make an emergency trip to the store (we weren't close to home.) But, I wouldn't have gone otherwise. Sometimes I go shopping on Black Friday-IF there is something that I feel like I can't live without, which is very rare. I try not to let "things" be the source of my happiness.This was great, Jim! I tire of seeing Christmas decorations in stores, especially before Halloween is even over! I have to confess that I might be putting up some outdoor decorations this weekend if the weather is nice, but not turning them on until Thanksgiving night or the next night. But, I am so thankful for our holiday next week and for the time off to be with my family!You still have to watch the Macy's parade on Thanksgiving... I have been watching it since I was a child and now my grandchild and I watch it together while we are making something sweet for later in the day. I have only shopped on "Black Friday" once and it was during a snow storm. It was actually quite nice, 2 pm and the store was pretty devoid of shoppers.My friends are putting up their trees while I am still looking for my turkey platter. The Christmas music is driving me crazy already, and no, I don't want to draw names or start Secret Santa already. I want to enjoy my kids being back for a few days first. So thankful we can be together again this year!Thanksgiving IS all about the food for us. Mom's chicken, MIL's ham, Aunt N's chicken and noodles, SIL's stuffing, BIL's deviled eggs, Dad's harvard beets, Cousin Bette's bleu cheese carrots, Our turkey, Uncle Ernie's Cranberry Drink, Gran's yeast rolls, cinnarolls, and more. The recipes, the memories, the stories, the laughs & tears. "Thanks" for those here, far away, and the invisible attendees. The dinner brings a crowd, even if there's only two of us now. We feast for days upon grateful memories.Thanks Jim, you always get it right. I gave a talk at a school this week, and challenged the kids to make a special point to speak with their older relatives at Thanksgiving. The elders will (usually) be thrilled to tell family history stories, and the kids will never be sorry they asked. Care to write a blog about the over-commercialization of Christmas? Every year it seems to get worse ... or maybe I'm just getting cranky in my "old age."
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