Thanksgiving Day ... not turkey day ...


It seems to me that more and more people are wishing each other a “happy turkey day”.
I guess it’s supposed to sound cute but it really misses the point.
Supermarket advertisements were probably the first to refer to the holiday this way and, of course, the media perpetrated it by referring to Thanksgiving Day as turkey day.

Where along the way did they forget that Thanksgiving Day was set aside to celebrate our “thanks” not a turkey...?

Cell phone user... NOT

Having finished my shopping at Giant the other day, I was patiently sitting in my riding cart waiting for the lady ahead of me to be checked out ..
When I moved my cart forward, I heard music coming from the rack of can goods next to me.  It didn’t seem unusual since stores have items that play music when someone passes by them … I rolled a bit further .. now it was behind the candy rack.
All this happened in a matter of a minute or so when I realized it was my cell phone in my jacket pocket … no … the vibration was not activated … well… since I had to maintain my dignity, I didn’t fall out of my cart laughing at myself … I laughed inside like “Old St Nick” and out loud when I got in the car …..

The Vase

I knew mom and dad would like the gift I had in mind. I looked at it each time I went through the arcade off Broad street in Philadelphia in 1958.
It was a beautiful turquoise blue glass vase, wide at the bottom gradually tapered to the lip. At the time, it appeared to be 5 ft tall and expensive.
Twenty dollars was a lot when my weekly take home pay was less than thirty dollars, so, I put it in layaway and after a few weeks I presented them with the beautiful turquoise vase and they loved it and I was a very proud nineteen year old.
Over the years I saw that vase swathed in blankets and pillows and handled as gently as one would a newborn with each move mom and dad made, and there were at least ten …
Once, dad wanted to paint it to match their decor and asked if I would mind. I didn’t mind, it was theirs, so he tested a little paint on the bottom, let it dry then removed it. Since there was no damage the turquoise vase became orange for a couple years ,thereby, maintaining its usual place with its new outfit.
It stayed orange for quite a few years until dad decided the original color was more appropriate for his new color scheme.
Whichever room it occupies, basks in the turquoise blue reflection that emanates from this 37 year old, 3ft high treasured gift of glass that has lived in PA, MD, VA, and TX
A treasured gift that has come full circle, having been given to me by my mom.
©1995 Joyce E Coley


January 12, 2005
In the ten years I’ve had it.. it has endured more swathing and gentle handling in a couple of my moves.
Today that vase sits in an honored place in my living room, still emanating the turquoise reflection of memories. My wish is for it to remain a memory long after I am gone..


January 12, 2006
These days blue lights cast an extra sparkle reflected through a mirror onto the vase .. a calming sight..

November 16, 2010
It is looking down on me as I sit at my computer … with one, ever so slight crack near the top.

Not bad for surviving 52 years ... so far.

Ice cream

EXCERCISE IN WRITING - WORD SELECTED FROM DICTIONARY AT RANDOM---ICE CREAM-- WRITTEN 10-06-96

BLACK RASPBERRY, BUTTER PECAN AND VANILLA WITH BING CHERRIES ARE AMONG MY FAVORITE FLAVORS, WHILE CHOCOLATE AND ANY FUDGE RIPPLES, TIN ROOF, COOKIES AND CREAM AND SUCH ARE MY LEAST FAVORITE.

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A DOUBLE DIP CONE ON A HOT SUMMER DAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN EATEN IN AIR CONDITIONING.

I PREFER A CONE AS OPPOSED TO A DISH OF ICE CREAM, ALTHOUGH, NOW AND THEN I DO LIKE TO STIR THE ICE CREAM IN A BOWL TILL IT IS SOUPY.. SILLY HUH?

I’M SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS SUCH IDIOSYNCRASIES WHEN IT COMES TO DIFFERENT WAYS OF EATING ICE CREAM.

I REMEMBER BACK FORTY ODD YEARS AGO WHEN WE COULD RUN DOWN THE HILL AND FOR A DIME, BUY A DOUBLE DIP CONE AND HAVE IT GONE BY THE TIME WE WERE BACK UP THE HILL.

I DON’T EVER REMEMBER MAKING HOME MADE ICE CREAM OR EVEN EATING ANY EXCEPT THE KIND MOM MADE FROM SNOW BACK WHEN SNOW WAS EDIBLE .

VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE EATEN OR EVEN HEARD OF FROZEN CUSTARD, WHICH, IF I REMEMBER WAS DELICIOUS AND NOTHING LIKE THE SOFT ICE CREAM FROM DAIRY QUEEN, WHICH TOOK ITS PLACE.

WE USED TO GO NOW AND THEN AS A SPECIAL TREAT TO THE FROZEN CUSTARD STAND UP NEAR THE FARM SHOW IN HARRISBURG. IT SEEMS LIKE A THOUSAND YEARS AGO AND I HAVE TO REALLY CONCENTRATE TO REMEMBER THE TASTE OF THAT FROZEN CUSTARD.

I THINK OF ALL THE BRANDS OF ICE CREAM, BREYERS, GREENES

AND HERSHEYS ARE THE BEST FOLLOWED BY TURKEY HILL AND PENSUPREME.

Does anyone remember Toni ???

Originally written  7/24/05


Toni’s gone… but she will never be forgotten by the crowds she hid from in Italian Lake, a beautiful lake, effectively landscaped to present an area of serenity where she became the main attraction.
Her attitude and feistiness helped her elude attempts to capture her.
For months she taunted their efforts .. and there were many.
Black with cream colored stripes, light green eyes and a white tongue.. she was most likely a former pet .. discarded.
In the two years since her capture, she has grown 7 inches and gained 6 lbs and is now 38 inches and 10 lbs. still a celebrity at Zoo America.
Soon she will be transferred to an alligator sanctuary.

©2005Joyce E Coley


I wonder how she is ...