400 years ago, Native American Indians partook in a feast
with English Puritans who wanted to give thanks for having survived their escape
from…um… England…which they
wanted to leave so badly that they risked their lives sailing to the New World rather than stay. Now, hasn’t that got “cozy
English holiday” written all over it? Americans will celebrate this apocryphal
feast today by gorging themselves on turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and
pumpkin pie.
Okay, maybe the thought of England
adopting this American holiday is insane, but consider: in America,
Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season; the day
after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year. In the US, by
Thanksgiving day, I usually had generated several thousand dollars in sales.
I’m certain that Thanksgiving could save England’s economy. Or at least my
own.
This, at least, is what I wish for as I sit at my easel at a
weekly craft fair, hoping to sketch portraits for passersby. With zero
business. For two weeks. Whilst regretting turning down the minimum wage job at
the retirement home. The attractive, young lady next to me apparently does not
need Thanksgiving to generate business; she makes sale after sale after sale
with her jewelry. The other vendors, however, like me, complain of slow
business. Even our director tells me he feels guilty charging me rent because I
have not made any money.
I’m flummoxed. Could it be that, here in the UK, without
Thanksgiving, I’ll never have a lucrative Christmas season again? Come on, England.
You’ve already adopted Halloween. And my neighbors, after treating me to a
wonderful Guy Fawkes night, are anxiously awaiting the Fourth of July. Which is
another American holiday celebrating
freedom from the rule of…uh…you guessed it. Americans celebrate this day with
fireworks, hotdogs, and patriotic American music. Hasn’t that got “blatantly
obvious English holiday waiting to happen” written all over it?
To be continued.
Happy Thanksgiving Bennetts.
ReplyDelete-Luongos