I've hesitated about posting here concerning my annual Quixotic quest to see Thanksgiving given respect. Most of you have heard it before. You know my feelings. And it hasn't really been news, so I've fought the temptation to annoy you.
Now, it has become news.
Around 11:40 a.m., Jim Lokay posted a photo of the backed up traffic on the turnpike westbound between Framingham and 495.
Around the same time, Dave reported a major jam on 128 north by Rte. 20 in Waltham caused by a multi-vehicle crash that closed three lanes. Sarah Nelson reported a similar situation involving another multi-car crash on 495 south between exits 26 and 27.
Channel 4 reports a turkey flew into a Bellingham man's living-room window. It died, but he buried it instead of saving it for Thanksgiving.
At 9:30, Bari Walsh tweeted:
Traffic just stopped on 9 west in Newton as 10 or so wild turkeys crossed the road. I swear.
The Boston Foodie spent Monday helping to bake pies at Harvard Square's Rialto for Thanksgiving delivery by Community Servings. You can buy some of their work until 4 p.m. at the Park Plaza castle.
I have a new "game" I'm playing at work. Each day when I go out to buy lunch at the local Trader Joe's or Whole Foods, I'm buying one extra item.
My office building, like many others, is participating in a food drive for Thanksgiving in support of the East End House effort to hand out turkeys with all of the fixings this holiday season to people in need.
Jim Sullivan opens his annual, Sisyphean campaign to remind retailers about this thing called "a calendar."
Noternie reports that by Sunday, the turkey was running low, so his wife went out and bought a 15-pound turkey so they could continue to feast on turkey and stuffing. As of this afternoon, he's downed 14 turkey sandwiches, 2 turkey dinners and a turkey pie. Guess what's for dinner tonight?
Scooterdude reports a bizarre sight on Carson Beach this afternoon:
... I first spied a lump of orange-red on the beach and as I came closer it was discovered to be an entire turkey, cooked and all, on the sand. And then, as I walked further around, I realized the whole area was littered with fruits, unopened cans, some fresh corn on the cob, and even some chips and appetizers....!
If you're looking at this Sunday afternoon/evening, you're probably not stuck at it.
Business Insider reports on the controversy when FDR pushed Thanksgiving back a week to give Depresssion-era merchants an extra week to move product:
... The selectmen of Plymouth, Massachusetts, informed the President, "It is a religious holiday and [you] have no right to change it for commercial reasons." Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks to the Almighty, harrumphed Governor Leverett Salstonstall of Massachusetts, "and not for the inauguration of Christmas shopping." ...
Matthew I. reports he happened to have his camera with him on the way to Starbucks this morning when he spotted this man on Mass. Ave. in the Back Bay:
Gave this guy a couple bucks. Took his photo from across the street on the way back.
Copyright Matthew I. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.
Adams apparently was convinced the reason he couldn't get re-elected was becaue he declared a national day of thanksgiving on behalf of, gasp, Presbyterians. J.L. Bell recounts the whole story.
Legendary "Love Potato" found during Thanksgiving preparations in Westwood. Finder immediately gets guilty and lists on eBay.
OK, the turkey's in the oven, the Thanksgiving Day parade is on TV and now I can sit down and be thankful: For the meal we're going to eat, of course, but more important, for family and friends. And all the folks who sent me words of encouragement - and even work - after I was laid off (I really had no idea, thank you all!). And everybody who visits Universal Hub.
What local bloggers are thinking about today follows. But what about you?
Ashley lists several things she's thankful for, including:
Merge: I-84 at the turnpike in Sturbridge, around 3 p.m.
From a MassDOT camera. Updated every 20 seconds or so.
Channel 5 reports a 45-mile backup on the turnpike - from Sturbridge to Weston.
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
