Aah, there’s nothing quite like the political landscape during the month of November. The traditional stench of candidates flip-flopping on major issues to appease undecided voters, and millionaires masquerading as commonfolk in hopes of manipulating people into choosing them on election day. And let’s not forget about all those ugly smear campaigns, mudslinging, and asinine accusations wafting in the crisp November air. Or all the agenda-driven citizens’ initiatives, immersed in confusing legal jargon, polluting our ballot forms.
Aah, ’tis the season fraught with incivility, worthless (and annoying) campaign signs, cries of voter fraud and voter intimidation, poorly marked ballots and “hanging chads,” the Electoral College vs. the popular vote arguments, and then ultimately the denying of election results. Luckily, or maybe intentionally, our elections are held prior to Thanksgiving, so at the very least we can always count on being thankful that the election cycle has finally come to a close.
Once the ridiculousness of November’s election has ended, and we’ve maybe tried to make peace with the results, we can now focus on the month’s main event. As if we really need to be told when to be thankful. If Thanksgiving is the only time throughout the year when one ponders their blessings, I’d say that person is missing the Mayflower (aka boat). I am so very thankful for my faith, family, and friends all year long. Therefore, although I am not a fan of transitioning (if you know what I mean) I have no problem whatsoever with transitioning from Halloween straight to Christmas.
So, for me, the Thanksgiving holiday is entirely about the food. And football. But mostly about the food. A menu consisting of ham, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, and apple pie is perfectly fine, but turkey, stuffing, rolls, and pumpkin pie are mandatory, for my happiness on Thanksgiving day. Also cranberry sauce. Not the traditional homemade whole berry cranberry sauce, but my traditional jiggly wiggly kind from a can. And no, I did not forget about the green bean casserole. No thank you! The appearance, the texture, and the taste of the customary side dish is nothing I can get excited about. Neither is mincemeat pie, for that matter. (Sorry Father.) The offensive “dessert” was one of the many staples offered during my childhood Thanksgivings in Joplin, Missouri.
The massive menu my grandma would put forth each year was second to none. Us Iowans could always count on the traditional fare, but once in a while an additional oddity would make its way onto the table. One time it was deer, and another time it was quail ( a no-no in Arizona because quail are beloved creatures in these parts). I do remember Bambi tasting pretty good, but you had to be mindful of the buckshot with each bite of quail. I believe the atypical cuisine was the doing of my hunting kinfolk – not my grandma’s. Anyway, I think I’ll stick with the turkey. So, this is what November means to me. What does November mean to you?
lifewithtruthandcommonsense 
January 5th, 2025 at 3:38 PM
November will always be about Thanksgiving to me. Specifically remembering all of the Thanksgivings from childhood into adulthood with my own kids, spent with family in Joplin, MO.
I still enjoy the Thanksgivings spent here in Iowa, with my family. Sometimes hosting the meal and sometimes just the “after party” for desserts, snacks, games and catching up on everyone’s busy lives. But those Thanksgivings in Joplin will always be my favorite and almost seem magical to me when I think about them.
From the time we left Wednesday morning(closer to afternoon since we hardly ever got on the road when my dad wanted to) to the time we got home Sunday evening, there are so many memories! If I named them all, it would be a book, so here are some highlights. The family station wagon with all six of us inside and luggage strapped on top. Special snacks of Chicken in a Biscuit crackers and squeeze cheese, which was always gotten in to within the 1st hour of our travels. My mom always packed some sandwiches to be eaten along the way at a rest area. We liked to stop at the rest area near Bethany, Mo as they were giving out hot chocolate and cookies to the travelers that day.
As we neared Webster City, MO we always looked forward to seeing a large statue of praying hands up on a hill. It was dark by then, but there were lights that shown on the statue so we could see it. Seeing that meant that it wouldn’t be much longer until we arrived at my grandparents house. We were always greeted with hugs and a dinner of some sort that my Grandma would fit in between all of the Thanksgiving dinner preparations.
Thanksgiving was the time for my Grandma to shine, it was her thing. She loved to cook for her family and did most of it all herself. Even when others started bringing side dishes, she would still cook the turkey, dressing, noodles and mashed potatoes. And the pies….oh my!! It was nothing for there to be 13 pies all waiting to be devoured! I get my pie baking skills from her. As I am baking pies I always say that I am channeling my inner Grandma Pat and it makes me feel close to her.
The next few days were filled with food, visiting with family, playing with cousins outside and as we got older, playing cards with the adults. Oh Hell and Spoons being a couple of favorites! Sunday morning we’d get up and start packing while Grandma would make us a big breakfast before we said our goodbyes and got back on the road.
As we got a few miles away from Newton, there was one place from the interstate that we could see the Christmas lights that were on the very top of the courthouse, so I always looked forward to that. So many memories that I will never forget and will forever hold dear to my heart!!