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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thanksgiving 2013

(Custom graphic by Stogie of Saber Point)


The true meaning of our American Thanksgiving:


Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.


— Psalm 100:4-5 (KJV)

I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

— Philippians 4:00 (KJV)
[In keeping with the spirit of gratitude for our many blessings, Nincompoopery is on hiatus until December 7]

43 comments:

  1. For the first time ever since we've been married, Mr. AOW and I will be spending a quiet Thanksgiving here at home. We've had several invitations to people's homes, but I'm just not comfortable yet with driving at night since my retinal surgery of October 2. In addition, the weather tomorrow is going to be so cold! Who wants to go out?

    Our three cats will be delighted as the aroma of roasting turkey wafts through the house.

    I'm not going to kill myself cooking a big meal. I'm taking every shortcut that I can!

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  2. The quotation from Philippians is a GEM, AOW. It expresses my own most idealistic philosophy so perfectly and succinctly, but I don't recall noticing it before, even though I've read the Bible from cover to cover, and have been exposed to it all my life. I guess that proves yet again what an INEXHAUSTIBLE treasure The Good Book really is, IF you make a determination to look for it regularly.

    As for shortcuts, Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix is very good, and Knorr makes a terrific turkey gravy mix contained in one of those foil envelopes.

    Whatever you do, please enjoy it, DESPITE all the bad news and adversity.

    Have RESTFUL Thanksgiving!

    Cheerio!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FT,
      Whatever you do, please enjoy it, DESPITE all the bad news and adversity.

      Yes, I got some bad news this morning, the worst of it from my "father-in-law," to whom I had send a cheerful Jacquie Lawson e-greeting for Thanksgiving. He has retinal tears in both eyes! And his wife (bride, really, as they recently married), has a growth in one of her eyes -- probably melanoma. Both of these charming people are in their mid-80s, and their children live far away. I don't know how they're going to manage the next several weeks! Obviously, Mr. AOW and I can't help them: they live in Los Angeles.

      Glad the you liked the verse from Philippians.

      Here are two more verses from Philippians:

      Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

      That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.
      -- Philippians 2:14-15 (KJV).

      Delete
  3. What Thanksgiving means to me. I just want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving before signing off today. For those who are traveling, may you have an easy and safe time and I hope that your trip is without any problems. . And, if you are traveling or not, I’m hoping everyone eats like Kings and Queens!
    And to my fellow members of the tribe – ( a Jewish expression) Happy Hanukkah!

    Thanksgiving is a typically American holiday. In spite of its semi-religious form (giving thanks to God for a good harvest), its essential, secular meaning is a celebration of successful production. It is a producers’ holiday. The lavish meal that we all enjoy is a symbol of the fact that abundant consumption is the result and reward of production. Abundance is (or was and ought to be) America’s pride—just as it is the pride of American parents that their children need never know starvation.

    Whom should we thank on Thanksgiving? Our Parents, and loved ones of course.
    All of those who, down through the centuries, have advanced civilization by means of their productive achievements. For it is they who allow us to live in the luxuriant of our wonderful country.
    This holiday shopping season seems to come earlier, and earlier every year, with retailers selling Christmas decorations well before Halloween. But this year, the season will get a legitimate jump-start of sorts—at least for millions of American Jews. his year is a special year, something happens that will not happen again for potentially another 70,000-plus years to come. Yes I said “70,000" In fact it has happened only once before, and that was in 1888. In other words, make way for Thanksgivukkah.
    In a very rare convergence of the calendar, Thanksgiving and the first day of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights that typically commences close to Christmas, fall on the same date in 2013: Nov. 28. And so we give birth to Thanksgivukkah with creations ranging from sweet-potato latkes (pancakes) to the “Menurkey.” So in closing, let me wish you one and all,to everyone of every persuasion, Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah/

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  4. Have a fun Thanksgiving, AOW.

    Oh, nincompoopery is never on sabbatical.

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  5. Have a blessed Thanksgiving and loved your KJV verses.

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  6. A very happy thanksgiving to you and mr AOW.

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  7. Great graphic, by the way! Sorry I forgot to mention it earlier.

    Happy T'day!

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  8. The very happiest of Thanksgiving days to you and Mr. AOW........
    eat hearty and know you're appreciated and admired!
    Z

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  9. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    2. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    4. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    5. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    6. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    7. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    8. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    9. The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    10. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    11. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    12. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    13. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    14. And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    16. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    17. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    18. And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    19. Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    20. And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    21. And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    22. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    23. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

    24. And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    25. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

    26. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.


    ~ Psalm 136 KJV

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  10. Some reading for today: The History and Legacy of Thanksgiving. The beginning of the essay:

    Thanksgiving, as introduced by European explorers and settlers in the "New World," was a time set aside specifically for the purpose of giving thanks to our Creator for His manifold blessings.

    The earliest record of a thanksgiving in America is 1541 by Spanish explorer Coronado at Palo Duro Canyon in what is now Texas. French Protestant colonists at Charlesfort (now Parris Island, South Carolina) held a thanksgiving service in 1564. In 1607, the Jamestown settlers held thanksgiving at Cape Henry, Virginia, and there are many other records of such hallowed observances.

    The first call for an annual Thanksgiving was at Berkeley Plantation, Virginia, in 1619, when Captain John Woodlief and 38 settlers aboard the ship Margaret, proclaimed, "Wee ordaine that the day of our ships arrivall at the place assigned for plantacion in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually keept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."...


    If you have time, please read the entire essay in The Patriot Post.

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  11. I hope that the two of you have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

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    Replies
    1. I'll get started in the kitchen around noon. I'm never sure how long it takes to cook a turkey bird. The times given on the package never work for me!

      Delete
  12. To you and your family AOW, Happy Thanksgiving.

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    Replies
    1. Randy,
      Will you be glued to the TV set for some of the football games? If so, be sure to stop watching long enough to eat!

      Happy Thanksgiving to you.

      Delete

  13. Happy Thanksgiving my friends! As you carve open that Turkey at your feast today, remember, that Turkey gave its life so you could have dinner. (sorry for that one)
    What are you Thankful for on this thanksgiving day?
    What Thanksgiving means to me.
    Thanksgiving is not a typically American holiday, it’s a very special one. In spite of its religious form (giving thanks to God for a good harvest), its essential, secular meaning is a celebration of successful production. It is a producers’ holiday. The lavish meal is a symbol of the fact that abundant consumption is the result and reward of production. Abundance is (or was and ought to be) America’s pride—just as it is the pride of American parents that their children need never know starvation.
    But this special Holiday makes you think of whom should we thank on this Thanksgiving day?
    All of those who, down through the centuries, have advanced civilization by means of their productive achievements. For it is they who allow us to live in the luxuriant world of the twenty-first century.
    No seriously though, Please take this time to rejoice over what you have been blessed with, and then take the time to be thankful for it! Thanksgiving is a time to be with your family and friends, whether they be big or small.
    First and foremost, I am thankful for my healthy and happy family.
    I am thankful for a wife and children I love and cherish, and who loves and cherishes me. I am thankful for our cup that never seems to be on empty. I am thankful for this Great Nation of ours and those who have served and others that gave the ultimate sacrifice that we might enjoy the liberties and freedom we have. I am Thankful that I was able to serve my country for the years that I had. I am thankful that I live in a country where every American man and woman are able to say whatever they want to, with out the fear of repercussions.
    I am thankful for being lucky enough to have a good life, live a fine home and have a adorable cat. I am thankful for everything in life we have worked very hard for giving us the ability to do what we enjoy doing. And that is just a start....
    What will or are you thankful for this coming thanksgiving day? From this Templar to all his friends, have a bountiful and blessed Thanksgiving!

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours AOW.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Thanksgiving, TemplarKormac.

      What you said is exactly correct for this day of thanks:

      Please take this time to rejoice over what you have been blessed with, and then take the time to be thankful for it!

      I have had a wonderful Thanksgiving surprise this morning. See this comment that I added a few minutes ago.

      Delete
  14. Happy Thanksgiving to all. And just one after thought to our dear leader...
    Just like all the other tyrants, you'll be gone soon as well Mr. Obama.

    To my Conservative friends, Fight 'em 'til hell freezes over, then fight 'em on the ice.


    And to our Liberal/Progressive "friends"
    I leave you with this thought...
    Remember that you are entitled to your own opinions but not your own facts.

    I am thankful for my internet friends, some of them here I've known for years!

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    Replies
    1. Fight 'em 'til hell freezes over, then fight 'em on the ice.

      No kidding!

      Delete
  15. Ugh:

    They want you to have fights with your family over the dinner table this Thanksgiving and talk about Obamacare...

    More at the above link.

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  16. Happy Thanksgiving to you, the Mr. and, of course, the 3 cats. And everyone here at in the comments section.

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    Replies
    1. Jason,
      My good friend!

      I'm sure that our three "girls" will be delighted with turkey bird. Amber, adventurous with her diet, may also appreciate the candied yams. Cameo has a sweet tooth, too. Mysti is more kitty-conventional.

      Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Do you still have Lara?

      Delete
    2. Yes, and turkey is her favorite. Glad to see all the familiar faces (ok, icons) stoping by to exchange thanksgiving greetings. Best to everyone.

      Delete
  17. What I'm so thankful for this morning....

    THE BUBBLE IN MY EYE VANISHED AT 8:00 A.M. TODAY!

    Visual acuity is so much better right now than it was at 7:00 A.M. today.

    Thank God!

    And thank God for the wonderful retinal surgeon who performed the operation!

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  18. I have been blessed by your friendship over the years, and for this I am mightily grateful. May the Lord bless you and Mr. AOW mightily. Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mustang,
      Thank you.

      Can you believe it? We first made acquaintance on the web 8.5 years ago! Over at Beak's site, I think. I saw your name "Mustang" and thought that you must own a Ford Mustang.

      Our "meeting" sometimes seems as if it occurred only yesterday -- except that so much has happened in our lives and our nation's course since then.

      Both you and I are blessed to be celebrating another Thanksgiving. No spring chickens, we.

      Delete
  19. AOW! I know how old you both are, and you are NOT near the threat of NOT celebrating a lot more Thanksgivings! What's wrong with you two ? (smile)
    I was SO glad to see your comment about your vision at my place and had to come tell you again how VERY pleased I am...GREAT NEWS!
    Hey, how long have WE known each other? Front Page? I started that in Paris...could it be 10 years for us? Maybe 12??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Z,
      This Thanksgiving is very peculiar for Mr. AOW and me because we are "home alone."

      Oh, well. The turkey breast is in the oven.

      I never frequented FPM. I got "my start" via commenting at Jihad Watch and Northern Virginiastan, the latter a site at which I became a team member in 2005.

      So, let's see....I must have met you when you started your own blog. You said once that you had known of me for quite some time, but I don't know where you first encountered me. Could it have been at Mustang's? TMW's? Beak's?

      I'm THRILLED about today's change in my vision! Having that bubble floating around ever since October was so maddening! At one point, I had at least 17 bubbles floating around (not to mention the pain involved), and the bubbles were still visible when I closed my eye(s). Sheesh. I've felt shut in for week after week -- but now that's over. Night driving, here I come! Mr. AOW and I are going to get out and about again in the van.

      Delete
  20. May this be the BEST Thanksgiving EVER for you and Mr. AOW! (From what I'm reading about your eyesight, it just MAY BE!)

    And for all you readers out there, may this be the BEST Thanksgiving YOU'VE ever had, also!

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  21. We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. (1 Thessalonians 1:2)

    I thank God your eye has some relief.

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  22. Happy Thanksgiving.

    I intended to be nice today, but I just cannot.
    And here is why!
    I wish liberals would stop making everything political and looking for fault everywhere. I've never seen people try so hard to be offended.
    Either you appreciate this day and spend it giving thanks to what you have or you don't. If you don't, fine, but don't try to bring others down.

    Heck, Obama is encouraging people to spend the day lecturing family members to get Obamacare. I know nothing is sacred to libs, except their agenda, but come on, get real.

    By the way, I will spend today with my family and some friends, one immigrant from Germany and two from Cambodia. They are sure thankful to be legal Americans citizens now and it'll be a pleasure to enjoy the day with them. Or should I tell two of my friends that since they aren't white, they should sit home and complain today?

    It's insanity when libs cannot recognize that not all American's think alike. The racism from the left gets so old.


    HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL.

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    Replies
    1. Yesterday, I had a brief chat with a Cambodian woman who runs one of our local convenience marts. She said, "Come to America, and you gotta love America. Don't come here and complain. America is wonderful!" She went on to tell about the futility of the average person in finding any medical care in Cambodia. "No doctors now." Her mother went completely blind as a result.

      Delete
    2. Give it some time, we'll get there. No doctor in his right mind will perform heart surgery for the minimum wage. I guess most people, and I mean most people in the government, have no idea how much medical school costs, or how much it takes to start a practice. What is going to happen is that no one (with any sense) will want to practice medicine in the USA. And then, voila, we'll be just like Kampuchea.

      Delete
    3. Mustang,
      Yep. Third World status, here we come!

      Delete
    4. @Radical Redneck --- It's insanity when libs cannot recognize that not all American's think alike.
      ------
      I realize it every time you post.

      Delete
  23. We had a great day with family, the first Thanksgiving in 17 years when hubby has not been working the ER. This Christmas Day will also be the first Christmas Day out of the ER for him. We are so very blessed and so thankful.

    I hope your day was wonderful

    Debbie
    Right Truth
    http://www.righttruth.typepad.com

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    Replies
    1. Debbie,
      So wonderful to have your husband at home for Thanksgiving!

      Mr. AOW pronounced the dinner that I fixed as the best meal I've ever fixed. I'm not sure about that, but the turkey bird was indeed perfection.

      The day ended, of course, with our succumbing to a turkey coma.

      Delete
  24. Wow, you have so many comments it looks like the check out line at Wal Mart tonight! On that subject, amazing how millions of customers can pack into Wal Mart's across the country at the same time and manage to get what they want and get out with minimal inconvenience. A fraction of that number logs onto ObamaCare and the silly thing crashes.

    Happy Thanksgiving AOW and readers!

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  25. AOW, what's the significance of the bubble dissipating?

    Closer to pain free
    Better vision
    Both?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Duck,
      The pain significantly lessened around November 2, one month post-op. The stabs of pain since November have been less intense and of less duration. Just a few days ago, looking up (at the computer monitor or music stand on a piano), was quite painful the longer that I looked up even that little bit.

      Rarely, the bubble doesn't dissipate, and the surgeon has to go back in with a needle and syringe to draw out the bubble.

      Now that the bubble is gone, I can finally tip my head back (for sleeping, using the recliner, getting my hair done), but I'll wait a few days to make sure that all vestiges of the bubble are gone.

      As long as the bubble remains, there is the significant danger that the bubble will put pressure on the lens of the eye -- but only if one tips his head back for anything other than to apply prescription eye drops and artificial tears. I must have used a gallon of the latter over the past 2 months! Furthermore, now that the bubble is gone, I have a complete visual field, a visual field with no orbiting bubbles. At one point, I had 17 bubbles spinning around inside my eye!

      Visual acuity varies according to distance. Long range = 20/50+, intermediate and close = sharp, sharp, sharp. Except that in the intermediate and close fields, straight lines have waviness to them; this waviness could be astigmatism because of the surgical incisions or permanent damage to the retina.

      In mid-January, I will again see the surgeon and should be released to get a new eyeglass for the operated eye. There will likely be several changes in eyeglass prescription over the next two years, a which point vision will be stabilized.

      Oh, and one more relief, I hope, and I'll call the surgeon's office next week to confirm...I'll be able to remove the alert bracelet on my wrist. It reads as follows: "WARNING: Gas bubble in eye. Use of Nitrous Oxide or change in atmospheric pressure may cause an increase in IOP resulting in blindness. Contact Ophthalmologist on reverse side of bracelet before treatment." This bracelet has prevented my going to the dentist for my regular visit -- and my going to other doctors, too, if having to lie back for the exam.

      Delete

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