It's Thanksgiving today, a preminent annual event in the American calendar. The Pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower in the 17th century nearly starved, and thanks to the Indians, learned to grow corn and pumpkin and lived to thank God over a three-day feast.
A colleague had invited me to join her family for Thanksgiving lunch. She lives out at Olathe, surrounded by the country side, but just less than 30 minutes on the I-435 into Overland Park. It was a pleasant change to get out of plaza land, away from the malls, the eateries, and the vast array of retail outlets that spring up like weeds everywhere in a wet summer.The hospitality was very warm and welcoming. It was a great experience to share one of the most important meals of the year with an American family. The fayre consisted of: turkey, ham, baked sweet potatoes, baked mushrooms, broccoli and rice topped with cheese, and stuffing made from baked vegetables. Desert was apple pie, cherry pie and ice cream. Drink was iced tea. The meal was preceded by the host saying grace. Although an atheist, I nevertheless respected the practice.
Dinner tonight was at Bristol, an upscale restaurant in Leawood that serves modern American food. It was buffet night, and the oysters were fresh and yummy-licious. The crab cakes on the regular menu are to die for....Thanksgiving is homecoming time. I miss home and I miss my loved one.
