My good colleague, Dr. Schaff, takes the road of piety in his quick nod to America's November feast. In doing so, he follows in the ruts of many a journalist, formal or otherwise.
Like Frost, I have decided to take the other fork in the road, and list the things I am really thankful for. Its not that I don't appreciate spacious skies and amber waves of grain. I am personally and professionally proud of the degree to which God has confirmed our souls in self control, and liberties in law. Nor do I take second seat to anyone in my admiration for those heroes prov'd in liberating strife. However, like most Americans I am just too accustomed to those blessings to really grasp what it would be like not to enjoy them.
So here, on this November night, is what I really feel thankful for:
1. High definition television. This comes first on the list only because I just finished watching one of Michael Wood's "In Search of Myths and Heroes," a series in which he takes works of ancient literature as themes in a travelogue. Shots of a gorgeous raven-haired lass reading passages from Apollonius' Jason and the Argonauts punctuated panoramics of the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts, the great domed church/mosque in Istanbul, and ancient ruins hidden in the coastal hills. Take my word for, wide screen HD makes the TV I used to watch look like a faded post card.
2. Harry Potter. When I saw the trailer for the new movie it brought tears to my eyes. House Blanchard is united in mutual affection for the Potter books. We will be going together to see it Friday.
3. Google. My father used to tell a joke the punch line of which was "yeast is yeast and nest is nest and never the mane shall tweet." I never forgot those words, but I had no idea what the joke was. My wife, one of the reference library persons at Northern, suggested: "google it." I did, and now I have the rest of the story. I found it at, of all places, the Volokh Conspiracy, one of the blogs that we here at SDP regular consult.
4. Heated car seats. Further proof that God loves us, and wants us to be happy.
5. Beer. The original proof.
6. The Barbecue Bible, by Steve Raichlen. My favorite cookbook. I'll take a slab of seasoned meat roasting on hot coals over a tall ship and a star to steer her by any day. Well, most days.
7. My panini maker. The grilled cheese sandwich is one of Western civilizations most perfect achievements. Try tossing a little blue cheese in with the cheddar.
8. Down. Goose down, that is. Especially our down comforter. I always thought that the dial on a thermostat was there so you could make the room comfortable. My wife, God bless her, thinks its there so you can turn it down to save energy. Crawling under that down comforter when the bedroom is roughly the temperature of Carlsbad Caverns makes up for almost all the disappointments of life. And then there's my new down coat.
9. The steam room at the new Fitness Center. Keeps the sinus passages clear and good Doctor Blanchard feeling like he can face reading another entry by Chad Shuldt at CCK.
10. My wife, my daughter, and my son, in order of acquaintance. With Godspeed, we will be together again in about ten hours. My cup runneth over. Praise the Lord and pass the remote.
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