It is only seven days until Thanksgiving. I know this year will be different and might be difficult for others, but not to worry because, in Art Yard Bklyn Community, we are here to relive the beautiful memories of the past Thanksgiving holidays. In my culture, Arabic/Muslim, we do not celebrate Thanksgiving. When I came to the US, I have been invited to several ones with some friends and their families. My university had a Thanksgiving dinner party for Honor students that I was part of the community. I had a great time talking and for sure eating lots of food and pies that I never ate in one day before. Not only that, but I also attended the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and I loved it so much, which is why I still watch every Thanksgiving on TV.
Until next week let's share the things we are thankful for, and during this holiday season, what are some ideas to give back to our communities.
Sarah, Thanksgiving Parade, watercolor 2020
I have a funny Thanksgiving story. Many years ago I was at my mother's house for a Thanksgiving celebration. Most of us are vegetarian, so my mother very excitedly announced she had gotten a Tofurky (vegan "turkey") for the meal.
The other dishes were far more popular than the Tofurky which quite frankly was a bit weird. My mother trying to drum up enthusiasm for the Tofurky announced - "But they support a good cause!" We asked: "What cause?" Mom replied, "Well, I am not sure I didn't have my glasses on."
I got up to read the package -- they supported a radical group that free turkeys from turkey farms. This of course became the topic of a endless speculative discussion and much animated dialogue as we imagined the Turkey Vigilantes sneaking about at night on their mission.
Yuck. Hate Tofurky!
I love the thanksgiving parade. I think it is one of the unique parts of Thanksgiving.
I live along the parade route (altho our apartment doesn't face it) and for years I complained about the annoying high school marching band students who invaded our neighborhood, staying in hotels and the YMCA across the street from us. HUNDREDS of them - EVERYWHERE! The schools would buy up every theatre ticket in town. They would all generally arrive on the Tuesday (to rehearse, I guess?). Then, tomorrow (Wednesday), it always seemed that the entire world would descend upon us to see the balloon floats being blown up. It was nearly impossible to walk one's dogs. By late Wednesday night, people started camping out in the streets to have a good spot for the parade.
Was I such a horrible person? Now I'm totally sad that it's all not happening - can I take back 30 years of complaining please?? Of course young people (even marching band students!) should experience the excitement of NYC (and Broadway)!! I take it all back!!!
Our neighbors who do face the parade always invited us in for a Thanksgiving morning brunch while the parade passed by the window. Funny thing was that people still sat in the living room and watched it on the TV (not me!) - even tho it was just outside the window!!! Old habits! I would always think that'd be a perfect scenario for a New Yorker cartoon.
I will miss all the excitement about the parade this year - but it'll surely be way easier to walk dogs! Here's the view from our neighbor Beverly's 3rd floor window - last Thanksgiving.
@Dennis Buonagura I think the visible strings really bring the photo to next level! And you’re right that is a perfect scenario for a NYer cartoon!
@Dennis Buonagura I might go to NYC tomorrow to see the parade. I do not believe it is going to be full of people, as always.
my friend sent me this recipe thinking I might like it for Thanksgiving
I’m going to make it but change the recipe to use my grandmothers stuffing recipe!
pictures to follow!
I think I am going to try it as well.
Sideshow Cat approving of the Mermaid Parade banner prior to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day 2020 Parade. He was tossed on the ramp of the Van Wyck Expressway and rescued and adopted and now has a happy life with duties that include working at the sideshow.
@bitterwonderHe looks great on the banner. Perfect colors!!
I am grateful for the people who are animal rescuers. My cats Rik and Lola were found in a trash can in a parking lot.
Me too - our Olive was rescued from a puppy mill in Louisiana (or was it Alabama?). She was in the cage that she was born in - for 7 months! She was intended to be a breeder but thankfully she was rescued (by a PETA-like organization). The rescue was on the local TV news - and she was adopted by someone who kept her outside 24/7. A neighbor saw that the dog was never allowed in the house so she contacted authorities who took her and sent her thru the shelter system. She was eventually sent to the Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge (NJ) where we adopted her.
I often wonder if she remembers any of that horrible start to her life. She's petrified of the wind - so I'm guessing it was from being kept outside (at the puppy mill and at her first home). She's 12 now - she was 7 months old when she came to live with us.
Here she is just a few days after she arrived in NYC (she was very tiny then) on one of her first walks thru the park. We were stopped by photographer Fran Reisner and the photo ultimately appeared in her book "The Dogs of Central Park".
I am grateful for animal rescuers too!
I should have mentioned the name New Jersey Cat Rescue in my story. R & L were found by a woman named Alicia who worked as a kindergarten teacher in NYC, but she lived in NJ and brought them home with her and placed them with the NJ cat rescue where she volunteered. The organization places rescued animals first with foster homes and then with as they call it “forever homes”!
I know very little about houseplants. In the 1980's, our friend George Dvorak died during the AIDS epidemic. It's hard to imagine that over 30 years have passed since that day. He lived on West 12th Street in the Village across from St. Vincent's Hospital. We were asked to help empty his apartment shorty after his death. We took this plant from the window sill and brought it home.
I guess it's a Thanksgiving cactus because every single year at this time, it blooms. We have it 30+ years and not sure how long George had it. I took this picture this morning. Anyone know anything about these plants? I guess we're doing something right since it's lived this long. But does it need any extra TLC now that it's getting on in years?
I think George would be happy to know that he's still a part of our lives.
Dennis, I have many of these plants. Fortunately they are not harmful to cats (As some cats, like my Rikki Tikki Tavi, are plant chewers!). They need sun to bloom and they like to have tight pots on their roots. they often don’t make it if you transplant them into larger pots.
I have some that bloom well. This one is in my kitchen window with the African Violets.
OMG that is amazing Dennis
well - it is tight in its pot and I'm always tempted to repot it. Thanks for the info. I'll leave it as is and hope it goes on for another 30+ years.
Update! the photo above is from yesterday. Look at how its opened up!
Stuffed squash was a success!
Looks delicious !!
@sarah.a.g It was! The only downside to my meal is that both my lettuce and green beans were no longer fresh, so I was bereft of greenery. Well, other than the mountain of herbs on the counter.
Earlier in the day I harvested the sage, oregano and thyme from my garden before the frost!
When I thought of this . I just thought of a list of gratitude of everything in my life now and people in it . My shelter Having my family near and healthy My health The little glimpse of nature in the city My comfort and sanity The communities that I am apart of I feel like the list can go on and on most definitely!!!
@nayarittineo lovely ideas that match the beautiful light on the autumn flowers! ❤️🧡💛