Thanksgiving thoughts

I’ve never had any interest in Thoreau — which can be hard when you can’t get away from him the next town over — but at least he picked a nice place to get away from it all at Walden Pond.

Suzi and I went there for a Thanksgiving walk this morning. The sun was bright, and while it was chilly, it wasn’t cold.

I felt strong, charging along the path like I had some pent-up energy to burn off, which I probably did.

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The week gone by — Nov. 29

It will probably be annoying by the 50th time I hear it, but it was nice to have the season’s first playing of Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” the other day.

Even though I gave an amnesty for anyone who wanted to get their Christmas on early this year — because … 2020 — we stuck to our standard of waiting until after Thanksgiving.

However, the Christmas music went on not long after Thanksgiving dinner.

Bloggers at the feast

Maybe you missed out on this year’s office holiday potluck because you haven’t been in the office in eight months.

Perhaps your entire Thanksgiving fest with friends and family has gone kaput.

Christmas? In August?

Sure, it’s only mid-August, but why not get yourself a pumpkin spice latte?

And grab some Halloween candy while you’re at it.

Hey … go big! Hallmark’s Christmas movies don’t start until October, but you can listen to songs of the season right now.

And there’s a decent chance one of the HBO channels is showing “Love Actually” right now.

Pre-Thanksgiving thoughts

On a summer Saturday, there might be 30 people there, too many even for six courts.

But on a chilly Wednesday in November, there were just five of us, and with the tennis nets down, any balls that got away on one end rolled until they reached the fence on the far side.

However, when it’s the day before Thanksgiving, and the weather lets you play pickleball (or really do anything) outside, you’re happy.

Welcome to the Department of No S**t, Sherlock

Spoiler alert: roads, airports and most other modes of transportation across America are probably going to be busy over the next several days.

But just in case you’re planning your personal or family’s travel (and can read) despite your birth having taken place in the last 24 hours, there’s no shortage of information and recommendations.

Such as …

Two months to go

When we go to Williamstown for Christmas Eve, we drive through the Berkshires.

Since Williamstown is in a valley, there’s a final descent down a mountain to get there, including a switchback that’s always a little nerve-wracking, even though you know it’s coming.

The arrival of November feels like the start of going down that mountain.

Lead me not into pumpkin temptation

It’s that time of year again.

Actually, it’s not “that time” until Thanksgiving, but I’m used to the early arrival of egg nog in the store to the point where I can note it and swat it aside for now.

I just remind myself to be patient until we make the actual turn toward Christmas, at which point I will start guzzling it like there’s no tomorrow.

Thanksgiving dinner, revolutionized

“I like turkey, and I like ice cream, but I wouldn’t eat them together” was my reply to a coworker who said that under one certain circumstance, she might eat a turkey with flaming-hot Cheetos.

After all, she likes them both.

“You wouldn’t eat turkey with … chicken Parmesan …”

At this point, there was a weird energy in the room — the simultaneous thought among those seated nearby, “You know, that’s probably not the worst idea Bill has ever had.”

My annual scream into the holiday void

It starts small … seeing Thanksgiving cards next to the Halloween ones in the drugstore.

Or maybe it’s a report from your spouse that there’s egg nog in the grocery store.

But it has arrived.

Holiday Creep.