Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims

I wonder what the Pilgrim community would have thought of our family had we traveled back in time to share their Thanksgiving meal.

A passage from the journal of William Bradford of Plymouth, Colony, November 26, 1621: 

“We were joined in our Thanksgiving feast by a curiously dressed family of four. 

“Their young girl refused all sustenance save only a dry piece of bread. We wondered what crime she must have committed to be put on a diet of bread and water. Fearing that she die of a lack of nourishment we demanded the child be given meat, squash and sweet corn. She violently refused. We tried to force the food into her mouth. The child bit and screamed. Mary Jones was able to squeeze a kernel of corn past her lips. The moment it touched her tongue, the child commenced vomiting and writhing in agony. Deacon Jones surmised that she must be possessed by a demon and commanded she be placed in the stocks. Having done so, the child reported that she much preferred confinement in the town square to participating in the feast. 

“The boy was a bit more adventurous in his acceptance of our bounty. He consumed a piece of wild turkey sized one by one inches. The only accompaniment he allowed was a slice of potato from which he only took a nibble. He was most surly and refused to participate in conversation. When asked to what he was grateful, he replied that he only found value in throwing a ball through an iron hoop. Deacon Jones pressed him wondering how he could not appreciate beauty of the earth or show gratitude for the grace of our Lord in heaven. The boy answered uttering only two words: ‘whatever dude’. We had never observed such insolence in a child. Thinking that he too must be possessed by a demon, he was also placed in the stocks. 

“The parents responded most curiously to the confinement of their children. Rather than weep and beg the constable for mercy they offered no complaint. In fact, they seemed to enjoy the communal feast with a far greater degree of satisfaction without the companionship their children.”

Disney Cruise and The ‘Magic Kingdom’

New Pix

Jake’s 3rd Birthday

Christmas Pix

Thought I better get these up before Memorial Day…

Christmas Tree

After 5 minutes Jake lost interest in decorating the Christmas tree.  The above photo was coerced.  He got a Tootsie Roll for posing.  Without a Tootsie Roll bribe, Ann wasn’t so cooperative:

Big Boy Bed

Hey Jake, the lumpy thing at the other end of the bed is where your head is supposed to go.

Ann’s Birthday

It’s easy to say I love you, but the truest kind of love is expressed through acts of service and kindness.  Ann’s life is a testament to that kind of love.

As I thought of her on her birthday, I found myself in awe of all she is and does. The gifts, party and night out with her seemed such an inadequate celebration of her life.  She’s changed so much since we were married. Those changes have come in the form of the countless personal sacrifices she makes for Jacob and I.

Her job has turned ugly of late and her working hours are exhausting. She starts work at seven and finishes at three. Then she turns her focus to Jake and fills his afternoons with hours of play and attention. If that weren’t enough, there’s always a delicious meal waiting for us when I get home. After dinner is cleaned up and Jacob tucked in bed, I often look into her exhausted eyes and wonder how she does it.

I love her so very much. I constantly worry about the toll all those long days are taking on her. I often ask, “Are you miserable?” She always tells me that this is the life she wants to live, that she’s content and her expectations don’t exceed anything beyond what she has. How could you not adore someone like that?

Woody and Buzz

Jake’s favorite uncle Dave donned his Woody duds and took Buzz on an epic trick-or-treating round-up. With Grandma Jean and Mom in tow, Jake had plenty of moral support.  Word of Dave’s groovy visit got around to Aunt Nicole who said, “I heard David was Woody tonight. What a stud!  Tell Ann my kids thought that was awesome!”  I couldn’t agree more.  Many thanks to David for making Jake so happy.

Thanks also to Grandma Jean for hanging out with us too. Ann, Jake and I had a great night.

A $19.00 view

Hidden Peak (reached via Snowbird’s ariel tram) provided an amazing view of an articulated dump truck.  This enormous vehicle has a swiveling front end and monster truck tires (see our extensive library of construction vehicles for more information).

Attempts to climb into the cab were largely unsuccessful.