Frick you are good at expressing *my* feelings haha. I love how you said "It’s an America powered by resentment, not gratitude, which makes it doubly stinging to give thanks this year." Damn that cuts deep. Thank you for writing and sharing and debating casseroles. I'm inspired and hungry. To the pantry!
Thank you Michael. Thank you for helping me surf this horrific wave with your grace, humor and compassion. I can’t say I’m hanging ten yet but I’ve managed to stay on the board and I’m keeping my head above water. Plus I’ve had a couple of belly laughs- a minor miracle!
Had dinner with the kids and my ex. She somehow got the idea sometime that I hate the mini marshmallows and uses pecans on a section for me. I like both so it’s all good. I recommend a bowl warmed up for breakfast.
Thanks for this. In our home and social circle we often remind each other of our good fortune and that is not a universal experience. And that the plight of those less fortunate is often a result of circumstances outside their control. Bad news is news because it is rarer than good news. We rarely hear about the myriad good deeds committed by people that monumentally outweigh the evils perpetrated by a few, like marshmallows on a sweet potato casserole.
Ok. I know you are writing this for effect, but I have never dissed the marshmallow concoction- it’s just that I didn’t grow up with it as most Americans did. My mom was part of that 70s food coop, vegetarian curious, make your own whole wheat rolls that are as hard as rocks and taste like dirt. I love me some sweet potato casserole with marshmallows… for dessert. 😘
My mom made sweet potatoes roasted with a little orange juice and brown sugar on top. I assume her mom did it that way too. We just all love what we know when it comes to Thanksgiving food. People are very tribal about it.
Marshmallows, for sure. I'm from Texas and the bride from Ohio. One of many things we agree on is Marshmellows on sweet potato casserole. That has never been a marital issue. Being from Texas must be like NJ, nothing is done until it is over done, Texas style.
"The thing about sweet potato casserole that my wife doesn’t seem to understand" is really the thing about sweet potato casserole that you clearly do not understand." #TeamMartha
Happy Thanksgiving to both of you. Enjoy having your amazing offspring(s) home with you. That's more important than sweet potatoes.
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, Michael. Something about Thanksgiving always places me in a reflective mood. This year, especially, considering the outcome of the election, I’ve been pretty weary and honestly a bit down. I’m an idealist and when someone takes my hope and jumps up and down on it until it’s flat, that kind of dampens my vibe lol. Lots of personal things have happened in the past couple of years, some very good and some pretty bad, just like everybody else. I am thankful for the opportunity to read and listen to the experiences that other people are having and to their thoughts and conclusions about Life and how we are choosing to live it. I have found, recently, that my mind is very hungry for the input of other peoples thoughts. I guess, at 51, I have outgrown my teenage phase where I think I know everything. My sister is getting her second masters degree in an area that I don’t even know how to explain. It has something to do with data and health. She sent me a paper that she wrote, and I did not know the meaning of the first word of the title. When I looked up the first word of the title, I did not understand the definition. And instead of feeling stupid I felt proud of her. and I think that I’m grateful that my little idealistic brain has opened up just a little bit and is letting other people help me to learn and can be content knowing that other people know more than me and that that’s OK. And my poor little hopeful heart is currently picking itself up off the floor, grabbing a crayon, and trying to draw a new plan for the future. I hope that everybody who reads this newsletter has a wonderful Thanksgiving if you celebrate it, and if not I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday if you celebrate that. And as for sweet potato casserole, I don’t remember what my sister puts on it, I just remember that it’s delicious.
How beautifully expressed. Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving from a fellow idealist who has spent the past few weeks wearily scraping herself off the floor, bit by deflated bit.
Sweet potatoes are for pie. Only. No marshmallows allowed.
But, as you observed, the most important thing is family (chosen or inherited), friendship, and thankfulness. Even with the trump clown show in full force, we have it better than a lot of people in the world today.
Frick you are good at expressing *my* feelings haha. I love how you said "It’s an America powered by resentment, not gratitude, which makes it doubly stinging to give thanks this year." Damn that cuts deep. Thank you for writing and sharing and debating casseroles. I'm inspired and hungry. To the pantry!
Thank you Michael. Thank you for helping me surf this horrific wave with your grace, humor and compassion. I can’t say I’m hanging ten yet but I’ve managed to stay on the board and I’m keeping my head above water. Plus I’ve had a couple of belly laughs- a minor miracle!
Butter. Bile.
I would not like to be in that focus group.
Had dinner with the kids and my ex. She somehow got the idea sometime that I hate the mini marshmallows and uses pecans on a section for me. I like both so it’s all good. I recommend a bowl warmed up for breakfast.
I sincerely hope the sweet potato casserole debate is put before Judge John Hodgman, celebrity episode.
Thanks for this. In our home and social circle we often remind each other of our good fortune and that is not a universal experience. And that the plight of those less fortunate is often a result of circumstances outside their control. Bad news is news because it is rarer than good news. We rarely hear about the myriad good deeds committed by people that monumentally outweigh the evils perpetrated by a few, like marshmallows on a sweet potato casserole.
I’m not a big fan of sweets, but I think the solution here is to just put marshmallows on the portion you and others who prefer them want to eat ;)
(I do love pecans, though… sweet and savory... oh my!) or perhaps make multiple pies? 🥰
Jersey born and bred; marshmallows FTW.
I’m thankful for your humor and your letters on Substack. They’re like butt-uh.
Marshmallows are disgusting. Full stop.
Maybe you should have added some pudding? asking for a friend....
Ok. I know you are writing this for effect, but I have never dissed the marshmallow concoction- it’s just that I didn’t grow up with it as most Americans did. My mom was part of that 70s food coop, vegetarian curious, make your own whole wheat rolls that are as hard as rocks and taste like dirt. I love me some sweet potato casserole with marshmallows… for dessert. 😘
😘
My mom made sweet potatoes roasted with a little orange juice and brown sugar on top. I assume her mom did it that way too. We just all love what we know when it comes to Thanksgiving food. People are very tribal about it.
Which is why we have terrible Thanksgiving dinners.
Marshmallows, for sure. I'm from Texas and the bride from Ohio. One of many things we agree on is Marshmellows on sweet potato casserole. That has never been a marital issue. Being from Texas must be like NJ, nothing is done until it is over done, Texas style.
"The thing about sweet potato casserole that my wife doesn’t seem to understand" is really the thing about sweet potato casserole that you clearly do not understand." #TeamMartha
Happy Thanksgiving to both of you. Enjoy having your amazing offspring(s) home with you. That's more important than sweet potatoes.
I'm with you! Marshmallows rule!
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well, Michael. Something about Thanksgiving always places me in a reflective mood. This year, especially, considering the outcome of the election, I’ve been pretty weary and honestly a bit down. I’m an idealist and when someone takes my hope and jumps up and down on it until it’s flat, that kind of dampens my vibe lol. Lots of personal things have happened in the past couple of years, some very good and some pretty bad, just like everybody else. I am thankful for the opportunity to read and listen to the experiences that other people are having and to their thoughts and conclusions about Life and how we are choosing to live it. I have found, recently, that my mind is very hungry for the input of other peoples thoughts. I guess, at 51, I have outgrown my teenage phase where I think I know everything. My sister is getting her second masters degree in an area that I don’t even know how to explain. It has something to do with data and health. She sent me a paper that she wrote, and I did not know the meaning of the first word of the title. When I looked up the first word of the title, I did not understand the definition. And instead of feeling stupid I felt proud of her. and I think that I’m grateful that my little idealistic brain has opened up just a little bit and is letting other people help me to learn and can be content knowing that other people know more than me and that that’s OK. And my poor little hopeful heart is currently picking itself up off the floor, grabbing a crayon, and trying to draw a new plan for the future. I hope that everybody who reads this newsletter has a wonderful Thanksgiving if you celebrate it, and if not I hope that you have a wonderful Thursday if you celebrate that. And as for sweet potato casserole, I don’t remember what my sister puts on it, I just remember that it’s delicious.
How beautifully expressed. Thank you. Happy Thanksgiving from a fellow idealist who has spent the past few weeks wearily scraping herself off the floor, bit by deflated bit.
Thank you Beth! We are going to make it! Happy Thanksgiving!!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving stupidity! I know I will enjoy my own.
LOL, thank you!
Sweet potatoes are for pie. Only. No marshmallows allowed.
But, as you observed, the most important thing is family (chosen or inherited), friendship, and thankfulness. Even with the trump clown show in full force, we have it better than a lot of people in the world today.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Very very true. Happy Thanksgiving!