My Thanksgiving Slow Takes About Plymouth Colony, Berkeley Plantation and Casablanca.

1. Writings about the Plymouth Colony. Both Edward Winslow and William Bradford were senior leaders. These writings and more history of the Plymouth are available here.

“And God be praised we had a good increase… Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”

Edward Winslow, Mourt’s Relation: D.B. Heath, ed. Applewood Books. Cambridge, 1986. p 82

“They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which is place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports.”

William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation: S.E. Morison, ed. Knopf. N.Y., 1952. p 90

2. Some Virginians claim that the first Thanksgiving was held at the Berkeley plantation, November 30, 1619. Thirty eight settlers sailed on the ship, “Good Ship Margaret.” The leader of the expedition was Captain John Woodlief. Details about the adventure are here.

“Then, at a command from Captain Woodlief, with which they were profoundly stirred to comply, the homesick men knelt on the dried grass to pray.

As instructed by the London Company, Woodlief prayed: “We ordaine that this day of our ships arrival, at the place assigned for plantacon, (meaning plantation) in the land of Virginia, shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God”.

America’s first official English speaking Thanksgiving had just occurred, one year and 17 days before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts and almost 2 years before the pilgrims held a 3 day Harvest Feast with their Indian friends, which is referenced in some materials today as the First Thanksgiving.”

3. I have always heard that Ben Franklin had suggested we use the turkey as our national bird. However, an article by Jimmy Stamp, explains this myth. Mr. Franklin did question using the eagle and explains his reasons. The following is from a letter to his daughter.

“For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

With all this injustice, he is never in good case but like those among men who live by sharping & robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district. He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our country…

“I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America… He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”

4. “Play it, Sam, Play ‘As Time Goes By.’”

“Round up the usual suspects,” 

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine,”

“Here’s looking at you, kid,” 

“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

These are some of the famous lines from “Casablanca.” It premiered on November 26, 1942 in New York City. Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.

A good friend of mine said Casablanca is a movie that is so good, it needs to be seen once a year. I try my best.

Bogart and Bergman

Humphrey Bogart

5. Harry Chapin, “Cat’s in the Cradle.”

6. Last Saturday’s football was not so good for the Irish Lads. They fell to the Louisville Cardinals, 31-28. They are at 7-4 as they travel to face USC on November 129.   

Post game notes from Spider Football.

“With the 34-20 win at No. 19/22 William & Mary, the Spiders have now won the Capital Cup for three-straight seasons and have come out the victor in “The Oldest Rivalry in the South” in eight of the last 10 games.”

The Spiders y play Morgan State at home for the start of the 2014 FCS Playoffs.

7. Photos of friends. 

Me, Tony & Jack

Dinner With Friends