Songs, The Baboon Congress

Over the River

136 Comments

Today’s guest post is by Clyde.

When we were raising our children, we lived in Two Harbors and my parents lived above the east end of Duluth, only about two miles from Hawk Ridge. Among the four ways we could drive to their house, our favorite was to take the Seven Bridges Road.

Here is YouTube of a song about the Seven Bridges Road:

In winter the Seven Bridges Road was plowed only part way up the hill. Thus for our traditional Thanksgiving Day drive to my parents house we would always take the Seven Bridges Road, assuming that it would ere long be closed. And a family tradition was born to sing as we passed over each of the seven bridges “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go.” As our children matured, one would always ask, “What’s another popular Thanksgiving song?” A question which still lacks an answer.

Why is that? Why are there not many popular songs for this second most American of holidays? Everything seems right for songs: the season, the purpose, the mood, the many items associated with the day. But no songs have arisen.

Also, serious writers of serious music, i.e. classical, often embody popular songs, i.e. un-serious songs, in their serious music. Have I missed it, or has no one used Lydia Maria Child’s “Over the River and through the Woods” in this way?

Another mystery: Her poem which provides the words to the song was called “A Boy’s Thanksgiving Day.” Why is her poem of her childhood memories called “A Boy’s Thanksgiving Day”?

Here are her words:

Over the river, and through the wood,
To Grandfather’s house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood—
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose
As over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood,
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring, “Ting-a-ling-ding”,
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood
Trot fast, my dapple-gray!
Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound,
For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood—
And straight through the barnyard gate,
We seem to go extremely slow,
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river, and through the wood—
Now Grandmother’s cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Why the dearth of Thanksgiving songs?
Go ahead. Write one.

136 thoughts on “Over the River”

  1. Rise and Give Thanks Baboons!

    Nice, Clyde–next time I have a yen for the Northwoods I’ll look at this.

    My theory about the dearth of Thanksgiving songs would be that a lack of religious fervor about this holiday over the centuries means that there was never a tradition established. Therefore, there is not a body of work about this. Christmas has centuries of obsession with The Virgin Birth and defending that particular miracle.

    There are many songs and poems and prayers about giving thanks. For example, Now Thank We All Our God (note religious theme), but that is not associated only with T-giving in the same way that Christmas Carols, both secular and religious, are associated with Christmas.

    I’ll bet Ann Reed could whip a song up if commissioned.

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      1. check wpr (wisconsin public radio) schedule. they had a couple great shows lined up i plan to listen to as i’m rocking in the kitchen tomorrow

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  2. great blog clyde nice tune good video i love that part of the world. the rivers woods and waterfalls form the north shore are a thing to behold. just feels good to think about it.
    a tune huh?

    the day is a honey
    the traditions not funny
    the family gets together just three time a year
    we have bowls full of lettuce
    the details wont upset us
    it a great get together be clear.

    it good to have kids
    weather chrisitans or yids
    it matters not on thankigiving day
    nondenomational wonder
    we all do fall under
    the spell of the family holiday

    the taters the bread
    the carbs in your head
    are all excused for this one day
    eating mounds full of food
    it would really be rude
    to count calories along the way

    cranberries and yams
    wheather fresh or from cans
    mix flavors and colors golore
    we all get together
    in this transitional weather
    and laugh til we cant laugh no more

    turkey and wild rice
    fill the plate up at least twice
    green bean caserole is a definate must
    the smells in the kitchen
    get the tastebuds a itching
    and we wind up with bellies that bust

    the day comes to an end
    and over we bend
    trying to stretch the food to the right place
    the feeling contented
    couldnt be rented
    that satisfied look on you face

    enjoy the day booners
    football and christmas crooners
    are part of the next 30 days
    but today is pure pleasure
    with food and pure leasure
    life at its best many ways

    stuffing
    taters and shrooms

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    1. funny the last words , stuffing taters and shrooms are left overs that got pushed out of the above deal as i went along. i kinda like the rythumof stuffing taters and shroom and may work with that a bit today as im buzzing around
      stuffing taters and shrooms,,, oh my

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  3. Good morning to all. There is a discussion of Thanksgiving in the Bill Bryson book that was selected to read for the last Blevins book club meeting which I missed. Bill says he likes Thanksgiving because it is just about eating and there is no gift giving or other things going on. I guess you are right, Clyde, it is also a holiday without a lot of songs. I don’t know if Bryson would object if a tradition of singing songs was added to the celebration of Thanksgiving.

    I guess we don’t have a lot of songs for Thanksgiving because it isn’t the big deal that Christmas is with all the decorations, gifts, Christmas shows, and other things. I agree with Bryson. Let’s not turn Thanksgiving into a massive holiday like Christmas. I think it would be okay to have more singing and songs at Thanksgiving.

    Very nice blog offering for Thanksgiving, Clyde.

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  4. I suppose it is a sad thing that there are so many songs about the pain of not getting what one wants and so few songs about being grateful for what we have. To my mind, one of the greatest songs ever written–Peter Mayer’s “Holy Now”–is actually a Thanksgiving song. But the word doesn’t appear, and I won’t press the point.

    A wonderful Thanksgiving song has been written, however. Here is Bob Franke’s “Thanksgiving Eve.”

    It’s so easy to dream of the days gone by
    It’s a hard thing to think of the times to come
    But the grace to accept ev’ry moment as a gift
    Is a gift that is given to some

    Chorus:

    What can you do with your days but work & hope
    Let your dreams bind your work to your play
    What can you do with each moment of your life
    But love til you’ve loved it away
    Love til you’ve loved it away

    There are sorrows enough for the whole world’s end
    There are no guarantees but the grave
    And the life that I live & the time I have spent
    Are a treasure too precious to save

    As it was so it is, as it is shall it be
    And it shall be while lips that kiss have breath
    Many waters indeed only nurture Love’s seed
    And its flower overshadows the power of death

    So . . . what can you do with each moment of your life, but love til you’ve loved it away. That sounds like a fine plan to me. Happy Thanksgiving, baboons.

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  5. beth ann and edith
    i saw the blogs yesterday and monday but couldnt get o it. kept my brain working though.
    color yeah. i live for color. the franz kline black and whites are some of my favorite paintings because of the strength that pops out of form when you lose the distractions of color but in real life i love the distractions of color. all the colors of green in the spring as the leaves are popping is one of my favorite things. red branches popping through the snow in minnesota winters are another. i did a house in the 70’s in earth tones and i wanted to rip it all out 6 months after i plugged in paprika, mocha and fawn as the three colors to work around. i ended up painting the kitchen hawaiian blue and the bedrooms turned into color respites. red on red on orange in the fall is somethin i love to watch for, red socks is therapy for a day that need a pick me up. marc rothko, peit mondrian hans hoffman jackson pollack willem dekooning degas van gogh cezanne roualt monet manet ….. ah color.. friends in literature holmes and watson as well as winnie the pooh and the inhabitants of the hundred acre woods, tom and huck, george and lenny, thing one and thing two

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  6. working this week …. thinking of you all and catching up as i can. drove monday 5am til 10 pm. had my 10 year old inform me i was the daycare on tuesday so she got to come to the warehouse and on appts. (we did do a imprompu como zoo pit stop) en route to gymnastics and basketball and picking up the last minute stuff to cook thanksgiving diner before driving to chicago in the wee hours of fridays morning) early start today on the one day of the week to put a bow on things. see you down the trail

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  7. Good morning, baboons. Did you know that Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” is based on an incident that began on Thanksgiving Day 1965? Here’s a link to Wikipedia’s account of how that whole affair unfolded: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice's_Restaurant

    OT – Speaking of 1965, today marks the day that I arrived in the US that year. Three days later I had my first Thanksgiving dinner at my ex-in-laws’ house in Greenport, Long Island. Had I known Arlo, I could have been part of history in the making instead.

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    1. i loved alices restaurant. everythin about it . the tune the story the vibe arlo did a great job of picking and talking on that tune, the picking pattern is complicated enough that you need to pay attention and then t tel the story and never miss the rotation of the song was a marvel to me. i sure enjoyed arlo then and still do tday. a breath of fresh air. alices restaurant was arlo at his finest. that and the motorcyle song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g266Uwp6ZnI

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      1. i becme a vegetarian for spiritual reasons that would serve as my c.o. backbone started in 1969. the draft went through 1972 i was eligable in 1973 so i was prepared to deal with it but didn’t need to deal with the bench

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  8. We actually go Thanksgiving caroling between dinner and dessert. We used to just walk between courses to make room for pie, but some 20 years ago our kids wanted to sing while we walked. They suggested Christmas songs, but we were horrified and insisted since it was still Thanksgiving we sould sing more apprpriately. We now have song sheets and folks who join us just to go door to door singing. Truth be told most are lured by the promise of pie.
    Here is the first song we sang. The tune is obvious:
    My Turkey Tis Of Thee

    My Turkey Tis Of Thee
    Sweet bird of cranberry
    Of thee I sing
    I love thy breast and wing
    Back leg and other thing
    I love thy good stuffing
    Oh! Luscious bird.

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  9. Now that our kids are grown and have beautiful voices, we have soloists. Do you remember the John McCutcheon Thankful song from the LGMS? I think it is at this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpKNNoKxeNA

    I remember calling and speaking to Jim Ed about our Turkey Day tradition. He was incredulous, but played the McCutcheon song in honour of all of us who carol in Hastings.

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  10. This one is sung to the tume of Frere Jacques and works well as a round
    Thanksgiving’s Coming

    Thanksgiving’s coming
    Thanksgiving’s coming
    Save your bread
    Save your bread
    Stuff it up the turkey
    Stuff it up the turkey
    Eat the bird
    Eat the bird

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  11. Clyde, you may be sorry you asked….

    I see that Classical MPR has scheduled Cantus Thanksgiving for 5pm Thursday. Here’s the playlist
    Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
    Finlandia
    Simple Gifts
    Little Potato
    For the Beauty of the Earth
    Alleluia
    Holy Manna (Sacred Harp)
    Heal the World
    Hard Times Come Again No More
    Wanting Memories
    Goin’ Home
    23rd Psalm

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    1. I’m copying this list, B-A, what a great idea. And I think next year, with a little more lead time, I’ll bet we could have a Babooner Carolling party!

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  12. My Turkey ’tis of thee
    I”ll work from dawn ’til three
    to get you baked..
    When all is said and done,
    this meal is lots of fun.
    Neighbors are bringing homemade buns
    and a pumpkin cake.

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  13. We gather together
    in 50 degree weather
    to dine and converse
    with our family and friends.
    We’ll eat lots of turkey and won’t feel too perky
    until its Friday morning our diets to amend.

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  15. We get funny responses when we come a-caroling. Some folks drag their entire family to the porch and others turn off the lights. The kids adore the caramel house where they hand out homemade caramels. WE save them for last as a motivator when it’s cold.

    The funniest response was the family that sang back to us. WE now sing their song but I can’t tell you the tune. Here are the lyrics:

    Turkeys Marching

    Turkeys marching, turkeys marching
    Singing songs of protest day and night
    Turkeys marching, turkeys marching
    Singing of their turkey rights
    No more must the men mistreat us
    Raise us, kill us, cook us, eat us
    Turkeys marching, turkeys marching
    Singing of their turkey rights

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      2. This sounds wonderful! Do you season the wild rice somehow and if so, please share.
        We had very good luck with our squash this year and a goodly supply of wild rice, so I want to try this.

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      4. It will be mushroom and pecan vegetarian burgers and other vegetarian goodies at our house. Both of my daughters and their families are vegetarian. I’m not vegetarian, but I like vegetarian food.

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      6. Mushroom Pecan Burgers

        Oven set at 350
        Saute 1 1/2 cups onions
        Add and saute 4cups mushrooms, 1/2 tsp dried thyme & 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
        In a bowl mix the sauted stuff w/ 1/2 roasted pecans, 1 cup bread crumbs, 2 tsp soy sauce, 1cup cooked brown rice, 1/4 cup rolled oats, 1tbs chopped dill, 1tbs miso (optional)
        Work in with a masher 16 oz firm tofu and salt plus pepper to taste
        Shape into patties and bake on oil sheet for 30 minutes until brown.

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  16. This goes to the tune “Sent Forth with God’s Blessing”

    Sent forth out to Walmart my
    father does his part
    to push through the crowds
    for Vanilla Ice Cream.
    He’s hale and he’s hearty,
    the life of the party, with
    hopes he will live ’til he turns 93.

    My parents drove out here from SW Minnesota on Sunday-a 10 hour trip they made all in one day. He is 90 and my mom is 89. My father is insistent that he have vanilla ice cream to go with the maple pumpkin pie I will make. I am also making pecan pie. We are having another feast on Saturday with the neighbors, and I will make a raspberry cream pie and a strawberry cream pie. Daughter is a contrarian and won’t eat pie. She has requested something called black bottom pudding, which is a dollop of chocolate pudding topped with caramel pudding and finished off with whipped cream.

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    1. Renee, I love that your family has such rich traditions around Thanksgiving. Wish I lived near enough to have your carolers come calling.

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      1. ill take the pies. my mouth is watering raspberry creme. im gonna try that one send a recipe please..
        hey did the pizza crust recipe ever show up? im thinking it was edith

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      2. Tim, If you have the early 1950’s Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book, the one I lovingly refer to as Red Betty, you will find that recipe. If you don’t, I will happily enter it into the blog.

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      3. Berries and Cream Pie

        4 c. fresh raspberries ( I use frozen, unsweetened berries-just needs a longer cook time and maybe two more T of flour.)

        Place berries in pastry-lined pan.
        Mix together and pour over berries- 2/3 c of sugar, 4T. flour, 1/4t. salt 1/2t. cinnamon, 1c. heavy cream. Bake45 minutes in 400 degree oven until crust is browned and filling is set.

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  17. nice blog, Clyde – i haven’t driven on 7 bridges road for a good long time – thanks for the reminder! and All – your creativity is amazing. i’ll just read and enjoy – thanks.

    WOT, but kind of apropos but a little long – sorry – early January of 2009 i was waiting for Dream to get in the mood. we had just bought Majority (T) because the buck Dream went to in late December DIED the day after they were together (that Dreamy!) and she didn’t settle. we needed her milk! so little T is in the pen with Dream. on Jan. 15 i walked into the barn early in the minus 15 degree morning. Dream was ready. T was obliging. i went in and asked Dale if he would be so kind to play Barry White’s “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Baby” and of course he did, and added a charming story to my request.
    fast forward to last night. i took Juju to her “first prom” with Topper, living west of Moose Lake – everything went very well- she was back in the RAV4 Goatmobile and just as we left the driveway to go home, i turned on the radio and there was Barry White singing that song! the memory of (and thankfulness for) those days just swept over me – me, crying as i drove and Juju, smiling knowingly. thanks Dale.

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  18. I just found a Tom Lehrer song

    We gather together to ask the lord’s blessing
    For turkey and dressing and cranberry sauce
    It was slightly distressing but now we’re convalescing
    So sing praises to his name and forget not to floss
    Our nearest and dearest we don’t want confessing
    It’s sort of depressing to have them so near
    Our feelings supressing for lightly acquiescing
    And perfectly professing we’re glad they were here
    We gathered together and got the lord’s blessing
    Of course we’re just guessing ’cause how can you tell?
    Our stomach’s are bloating
    Our kidneys nearly floating
    Hellos are very nice but goodbyes can be swell!

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  19. If Turkeys Thought

    If turkeys thought, they’d run away,
    A week before Thanksgiving Day.
    But turkeys can’t anticipate,
    And so there’s turkey on my plate!

    Jack Prelutsky

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  20. I have a favorite T’giving hymn from childhood, and I’ve tried to get Husband’s family to sing it at our gathering, but they’re Catholic and don’t know it. Here are the lyrics, I’ll bet some of you know it:

    1. Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home!
    All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin;
    God, our Maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
    Come to God’s own temple, come; raise the song of harvest home!

    2. We ourselves are God’s own field, fruit unto his praise to yield;
    Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown;
    First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
    Grant, O harvest Lord, that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

    3. For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take the harvest home;
    From His field shall in that day all offences purge away,
    Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
    But the fruitful ears to store in the garner evermore.

    4. Then, thou Church triumphant come, raise the song of harvest home!
    All be safely gathered in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
    There, forever purified, in God’s garner to abide;
    Come, ten thousand angels, come, raise the glorious harvest home!

    Wikipedia says it was written in 1844 by Henry Alford.[1] It is often sung to the tune St. George’s, Windsor by George Job Elvey. Here’s a you-tube link:

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  21. I’m trying to convince the college-age kids to sing this Peter and Lou Berryman song this year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0l5XHrXn3qQ

    Uncle Dave’s Grace

    lyrics by Peter Berryman, music by Lou Berryman
    ©1999; All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
    We are Berryman groupies, and love so many of their songs it’s
    hard to choose just one. Peter says this is based on an actual
    event … but all their songs are. – CM

    “We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing”

    Thanksgiving day, Uncle Dave was our guest
    He reads the Progressive which makes him depressed
    We asked Uncle Dave if he’d like to say grace,
    A dark desolation crept over his face
    “Thanks,” he began as he gazed at his knife,
    “To poor Mr. Turkey for living his life
    All crowded and cramped in a great metal shed
    Where life was a drag then they cut off his head

    “Thanks,” he went on, “for the grapes in my wine
    Picked by sick women of seventy-nine
    Scrambling all morning for bunch after bunch
    Then brushing the pesticides off of their lunch
    Thanks for the stuffing all heaped on my fork
    Shiny with sausage descended from pork
    I think of the trucks full of full of pigs that I see
    And can’t help imagine what they think of me”

    Continuing, “I’d like to thank if you please
    Our salad bowl hacked out of tropical trees
    And for this mahogany table and chair
    We thank all the jungles that used to be there

    For cream in our coffee and milk in our mugs,
    We thank all the cows full of hormones and drugs
    Whose calves are removed at a very young age
    And force-fed as veal in a minuscule cage

    “Oh thanks for the furnace that heats up these rooms
    And thanks for the rich fossil fuel it consumes
    Corrupting the atmosphere ounce after ounce
    But we’re warm and toasty and that is what counts
    I’m grateful,” he said, “for these clothes on my back
    Lovely and comfy and cheap off the rack
    Fashioned in warehouses noisy and cold
    In China by seamstresses seven years old

    “And thanks for my silverware setting that shines
    In memory of miners who died in the mines
    Worn down by the shoveling of tailings in piles

    Whose runoff destroys all the rivers for miles
    We thank the reactors for our chandelier
    Although the plutonium won’t disappear
    For hundreds of decades it still will be there
    But a few more Chernobyls and who’s gonna care?”

    Sighed Uncle Dave, “though there’s more to be told
    The wine’s getting warm and the bird’s getting cold”
    And with that he sat down as he mumbled again
    “Thank you for everything, amen”
    We felt so guilty when he was all thru
    It seemed there was one of two things we could do
    Live without food, in the nude, in a cave,
    Or next year have someone say grace besides Dave

    .

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    1. I’m going to try to avoid doing my Uncle Dave act tomorrow for Thanksgiving. I will probably be a little like Tom Lehrer thinking that goodbyes can be swell, but I will also try to avoid that attitude..

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      3. Now I have….
        It’s from Ocean Spray and is very forgiving-I tend to make changes.as in parentheses.

        Tex Mex Cranberry Salsa

        Ingredients:
        1 cup water
        1 cup sugar
        1 12-ounce package Ocean Spray® Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
        2 tablespoons chopped canned jalapeno peppers (I use the whole little can)
        1 teaspoon dried cilantro (I chop about a TB of fresh)
        1/4 teaspoon ground cumin (I omit this)
        1 green onion, white and green parts, sliced
        1 teaspoon lime juice (I squeeze in half a lime)

        Directions:
        Combine water and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add cranberries; return to a boil. Gently boil cranberries for 10 minutes without stirring. Pour into a medium glass mixing bowl. Gently stir in remaining ingredients.

        Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on salsa. Cool at room temperature and refrigerate. Best if served at room temperature. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

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  23. Glad you folks are enjoying this. I love that the video shows the road the way it looks this time of the year.
    In case you have not guessed, this is the blog for tomorrow too.
    Hope you all have a good Thanksgiving, in the form of your choice, and headache free.

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  24. There’s a New York Times editorial from 1902 that should be read aloud before any table sits down to an all-pie feast. Here goes:

    “It is utterly insufficient (to eat pie only twice a week), as anyone who knows the secret of our strength as a nation and the foundation of our industrial supremacy must admit. Pie is the American synonym of prosperity, and its varying contents the calendar of the changing seasons. Pie is the food of the heroic. No pie-eating people can ever be permanently vanquished.”

    Can somebody set this to music?

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    3. To the tune of Come Ye Thankful People Come:

      Pie is the American
      Symbol of prosperity,
      And it contents varying
      With the seasons’ quality.
      Pie is the heroic food
      With it yummy, tasty crust
      No pie-eating people can
      Ever be completely snuffed.

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  25. Lovely, Clyde! Thank you! Well, I’m really not a songwriter but here goes:

    I never had nothin’
    Not a dollar or a dime
    My clothes are torn and tattered
    My body feels the time

    Looking out this window
    Gray trees and dull gray sky
    I wonder about tomorrow
    And finding peace by and by

    Chorus:
    An attitude of gratitude
    Can change your whole life
    Be thankful for the good times
    And keep smiling in the light

    Memories of kind friendships
    Of fire, hearth and home
    I’m thankful for my mother
    And my father who never roamed

    I remember one kind lover
    Warm sunshine was our way
    And my sweet dog in the kitchen
    Who wagging greets each day

    Chorus

    I remember friends and music
    I’ve loved each singing tune
    With smiles and food and bonfires
    And a halo ’round the moon

    So I’m grateful for the laughter
    For the roof over my head
    For the songs that fill the rafters
    For the warmth of my small bed

    Chorus

    Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. It’s guaranteed never to be popular though. Happy Thanksgiving, ‘booners!

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    1. Wow, Kritsa! Do you have a tune in mind?

      I heard someone on Kerri Miller this morning with a study that the “attitude of gratitude”, if you can express it actively on a regular basis, is shown to increase health, sleep…

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    3. Krista, I hope your song will be a Thanksgiving tradition on the Trail. Let’s bring it back every year as long as the blog shall live.

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    4. nice stuff krista, even if its not popular out there with the masses we here on the trail know whats what and i say its fantastic. more more more. if this is what you do as not a songwriter keep going as not a song writer. it is wonderful

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  26. OT – Attended the funeral of friend this morning. Dorothy was a dear friend who lived a long and full life, and her service was warm and comforting. Now, I’m not particularly fond of “Raise me up on eagle’s wings,” but, lead by a horrible organist, I think those of us assembled there this morning managed to deliver the worst rendition of that song ever. It was painful to listen to, let alone participate in; it actually hurt my ears. Hope Dorothy turned her deaf ear.

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    1. It’s interesting to note that on occasion, a good song — even when performed terribly — can still be very inspiring and beautiful. I still remember some of my sons’ band concerts that were particularly moving; even if they weren’t performed to the standards I usually enjoy on MPR. I still remember my oldest son’s 8th grade band concert finale. They did the William Tell Overture and totally rocked it. It was far from perfect on many levels, but it was done with great dynamics, pacing and energy. I loved it!

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    3. That’s good to know. Our choral director was comforting us with similar words Tuesday evening – that the feeling behind the words is more important than getting each note exactly right.

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    4. I was at a funeral this morning too – not Dorothy’s – but the same song was sung. No fault of the organist’s, but it was a bit dirgelike. I sometimes wish someone would break format and throw in some gospel.

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      1. Dorothy would have loved gospels. In fact, she attended a mostly black church in the Rhondo neighborhood although she lived on the West Side. I don’t think I’ve ever attended a funeral with a more diverse group of people: white, black, Native American, and Hmong. Dorothy was 98 years young and though she never married, had a large family and lots of friends. She’ll be missed, but on this Thanksgiving Day, I’m grateful to have known her.

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  27. I’m enjoying all these songs and the video of Seven Bridges Road was wonderful, Clyde. It certainly looked like November in the north country. I’m not a songwriter at the best of times and my heart definitely is not singing with happiness right now, so I am glad just to read and listen to the songs that have been posted so far. Thanks, Baboons!

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  28. Clyde was a h.s. teacher of mine, so henceforth you will see me address him as “Mr. B.” Old habits from the 1970s are hard for me to break! I’ve attached a link to “The Promise of Living,” from Aaron Copland’s opera, “The Tender Land.” We sang it as a choral piece every year at Thanksgiving; I’ve chosen the opera setting from YouTube so you can see the lyrics as well. Lyrical, and lovely thoughts. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, esp. Mr. B and Mrs. B.

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    1. thanks for poking your head in bonnie, im sure clude wasnt worth a damn as a teacher but hes a pretty good blogger. we kinda like him, he has an interesting view on things and brings a spice to the conversation that would otherwise be absent. the tender land is one of my favorite pieces. copeland does such a wonderful job of allowing you to sit back and be bathed in the feeling he is presenting. thanks for giving it to us. yall come back now, hear?

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    2. Happy T-Day to you, Bonnie. Assuming you must be with one of your many wonderful relatives.
      Mrs. B seems to be not trying to die this year. Thus we are all assuming a much better day than last year.

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  29. One more note about the Seven Bridges Road: I believe my Dad said that all of the bridges were built during the CCC projects of the era. Within the last ten years we tried one summer weekend to take the road, but several bridges were under repair. Someone who stopped to look, like we did, proudly told us that the repairs were being made to match the beautiful CCC stonework, instead of putting in “modern” bridges.

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    1. I wish that’s what they would do more often when repairing those beautiful old bridges.
      Welcome, Bonnie, and thanks for the Copeland link.

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    2. i noticed how beautiful they were and also noticed that they were fairly new. something didn’t jive.thanks for making the world a place where things fit into the proper pegs again

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  30. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

    This was the favorite song when the kids were little
    The Turkey Ran Away

    The turkey ran away
    Before thanksgiving day
    He said gee! They’ll make a dinner of
    me
    If I should stay

    The pumpkin ran away
    Before thanksgiving day
    She said gee! They’ll make a pie of
    me
    If I should stay

    You can add enough verses to cover the whole dinner. I seem to remember the broccoli ran away one year!

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    1. The cranberries ran away
      Before Thanksgiving day
      They said Gee! Beth-Ann will make salsa of me
      If I should stay.

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  31. The pumpkin pie is done – baked that one last night. Then it got late and I got the mock mince assembled but not baked. I am doing that this morning. I was going to put the oven on for the rolls anyway. The breadmaker is creaking away.

    Here’s a pie question from one of my cookbooks. Apple, pumpkin, pecan, chocolate. Which is your favorite? Do you know what it says about you?

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    1. i break out in a cold sweat when i think of making pie. but my Mom always wanted pecan pie for TG, so i’d buy the crust to unfold that came from the frig. section of the grocery store.
      my paternal Grandma always made pumpkin pie and frosted it with real whipped cream from the Frenzel’s Jersey cow (neighbor across the road – right in town!) but our favorite was always the cream puffs that she had waiting for the grandkids on the chilly stairway to the attic. we’d run in the house directly to that door – open it – and squeal (like the little piggies that we were). we’d always get to have one before dinner. and then we’d fill up on the big olives that Grandma always placed on the children’s table – well ahead of time because she knew how we loved them. our menu today? leftovers from yesterday, but the olives are in the fridge. 🙂

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    3. The book says according to American Pie Council statistics, if your favorite pie is
      apple…you are likely to describe your self as independent, realistic and compassionate.
      pecan…you are likely to describe yourself as thoughtful and analytical.
      chocolate…you are likely to describe yourself as loving.
      pumpkin….you are likely to describe yourself as funny and independent.
      If you have trouble picking a favorite…you are likely to describe yourself as indecisive.

      I made up the last part.

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  32. The Goats’ Thanksgiving Hymn
    They gather together to ask the goats’ blessings
    They milk us, they brush us, they bring us good hay.
    They help us when we’re kidding,
    They feed us at our bidding.
    They think that we should thank them,
    Well, they are just wrong.

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  33. I remembered the one we always sing when we have family for dinner – the Johnny Appleseed Song:
    The lord is good to me
    And so I thank the Lord
    For givin’ me the things I need
    The sun and rain and appleseed,
    The Lord is good to me.

    Have a great turkey (or whatever) day, everyone!

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    1. Oh the Bird is good to me
      And so I thank the Bird
      For giving me the things I eat
      The wing and the leg and the sweet dark meat
      The Bird is good to me…

      Oh the Pie is good to me
      And so I thank the Pie
      For delivering a yummy treat
      The pumpkin, apple and mincemeat
      The Pie is good to me

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  34. oldest son has an interesting thanksgiving day agenda. he got involved in the meals on wheels extravaganza a couple years ago and he would wake up at 2 in the morning and head on down to help organze and sort and deliver the meals to folks. this year he went to bed at 6pm got up at 10 and headed out to be there at 10:30 for the prelims. then he comes home about 2 in time for dinner and family pictures for this years christmas card. he always looks a bit tired then he and hs sister head over to his moms house for thanksgiving dinner after which he meets up with his brother by another mother and they go to the annandale outlet mall and by 4 million dollar designer coats for only 89 dollars. he gets home at 3 in the morning and then goes to be a happy smiling waitstaff person at his restaurant. daughter is comong over to make gnocci. i don’t think shes done this before. i love gnocci but they are buggers to make, second son hangs with his girlfriend and school buddies til late the night before and then does the crash and burn til 1 or 2 when he come up to do his family time and the little girls run around enjoying having everyone home and eating the olives and celery and carrots and cheese and rackers that are out. this year we are going to get to bed early and head to chicago in the am for a noon friday thanksgiving at the inlaws. cousins event for the girls everyone else stays home for work or other priorities. the turket prep was done last night for the carnivores. they enjoy it and i enjoy making it. greeen beans sweet potato wild rice and salad and gnocci and arequest ofr mac and cheese salad and then find room for the leftovers to sit til sunday when we get back i will check in. between bastings

    hey dale you have some time off you can jump in here too.

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  35. I have become one of *those* Americans…was up half the night waiting for a web site to refresh so I could get a bargain on a present for Daughter (she has not asked for it as she knows it is an expensive thing…but I know it will delight her – and the deal was good enough that it made it affordable). When I woke back up the Gift was sold out online – I am sleep deprived, and was totally sucked in by rampant consumerism, but I can’t wait for Christmas and the squeal of glee I will hear. Today I shall be thankful for good friends, good family and having more than “enough.”

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  36. Health issues confine me to my home this year, but the fact Jacque was ready to share her family Thanksgiving with me is a true comfort to me. It is fun to fantasize about sharing Thanksgiving with each of you, dear baboon friends. But although I cannot share your tables and conversation, you all enrich my life.

    Be well, baboons. Happy Thanksgiving.

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      1. Steve – it’s next Wednesday (30th) they’re coming? If so, i may be able to get a small box of toys to you for backup. Will email.

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  37. Greetings and Happy Thanksgiving to all on the Trail! We had a very nice day at father-in-law’s house. His wife passed away a few years ago, but he has a wonderful girlfriend to share his life with now on weekends and holidays. When Jim talked to him a few weeks ago about what we should bring, Jim relayed to me “three bean salad.” I thought it was strange, but bought 2 cans of it and made a nice green salad as well.

    Well, we were supposed to bring “green bean casserole.” I had never brought it before, but Jean Ann, my other sister-in-law, usually brought that. So we had a good laugh over that miscommunication. We certainly had plenty of food, no doubt. The Packers thoroughly trounced the Lions in a very rough game — a Lions player was ejected from the game for deliberately stomping on a Packer player on the ground. Very unsportsmanlike.

    I hope you all had a lovely day, enjoyed time with loved ones and didn’t drop the turkey or the pie.

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  38. Evening everyone…
    I missed the trail completely yesterday, son came home from college and I put him to work right away putting up snowfence. And today was a full day until family left a couple hours ago and we got the house relaxed to our typical standards again.

    Thanksgiving is always with my wife’s side of the family; although we have lost another member this year but also have a toddler so the kids out-numbered the adults. Only one child is a real monster who’s ear I had to pinch once to get his attention.
    All in all it was pretty good fun as usual and the food was better than ever. (Ham being my favorite).

    Thanks to all of you for being here and part of my daily routine now. Thanks Dale for hosting us.

    Be careful now as you all head into the Holiday season. Don’t get crazy, slow down and appreciate things, stay between the ditches, breath and laugh.

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    1. thanks ben, nice to hear you are the guy who puts your son to work, i woud liek to plug that in but i far once the precident is set the family tradition dictates. my son went to visit his buddies who are home for ony a couple days a year from college now, the social butterfly.
      a great day today with the family together for one of the few times a year it happens these days, lots of laughs the little one laughed and listened to everyone telling stories about our visits to yellowstone, disney and alaska all when she was to small to remember. she is 10 now and when she said does anyone remember any good stories about me i had to smile. we talked about the time she cut her hair and the time she pooped in the bathtub with her brother and the time she got a haircut from her sister. not great plots but family stories often go nowhere. my mom wasnt around this year so the kids commented we wouldnt have any stories of recollection my mom is so good at getting us all started at. so the 10 year old asked for the stories form us ad said lets start with what was your favorite part of the day. love that kid.
      between the ditches is the goal for the trip to chitown tomorrow early am. i will be trying to blog by ipad. we will see how it goes.
      thanks to all the blog friends out there. great to keep in touch as we go through this life. it is a great new addition to the thanksgiving tradition.
      had a wonderful accidental dish of baby bell mushrooms a glass of wine 4 kinds of hot peppers all on the milder side of hot, soy sauce tomato paste and two cans of corn. had to do the couch crash and burn before the dishes and now i am trying to form the christmas letter before we drive off to chicago in the morning.

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  39. We are glowing, and so is my mom. Took her to the Hassing family gathering, and there was a 2-year-old, so she was in heaven. Toddler got curious about her walker, wanted to try it out. His aunt found a child’s play baby stroller for him to push around instead, and he and she did a “parade” with their walkers, back and forth for several laps. We were all in stitches, and my mom loved the attention.

    Food was great, too, and we even got out for a walk in the balmy fall day.

    I too am particularly thankful for this place to come every day. Happy Holiday, Babooners.

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  40. Time for bed Baboons!

    Wehad a wonderful day here with very traditional menu. The pie was to die for. The company was terrific,too. Then tonight Ivisited Steve. Til tomorrow.

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