So in the United States today is Thanksgiving. There’s a whole story made up about this being based on a feast with the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, but it’s mostly nonsense. National days of thanksgiving dot US History, and the first one of the current republic ¹ was declared by George Washington in 1789 – the day was in February.

The idea of a national holiday gained traction during the American Civil War, championed by Sarah Josepha Hale. She also happens to be the author of what would become known as “Mary Had a Little Lamb ².” Lincoln proclaimed the fourth Thursday of November a national day of Thanksgiving in 1863 and it’s pretty much been celebrated then ever since ³ – though it was only officially established by an act of Congress in 1941. Interestingly enough this date superseded an older holiday, Evacuation Day, which celebrated the withdrawal of British troops off US soil after the Revolution. Evacuation Day is no longer recognized in New York City ⁴, though a similar holiday is still celebrated up in Suffolk County, Massachusetts ⁵. That day, March 17, marks the withdrawal of troops from Boston in 1776.

So enough about mostly fictional origin stories about this holiday ⁶, I want to give thanks!

This year I’m thankful for a great many milestones, most of which I won’t share here as it’s not my business to share other people’s business online. But the two I’ll toss out have been my defining moments of 2018.

First, and lesser of the two, is the release of my first novel, In The Land Of The Penny Gnomes. Publishing a novel was a life-long dream, so I’m thrilled to have accomplished it. Reviews have been mostly positive, for which I’m also thankful.

Second, and the more important, is the birth of our third child, Bump. We were not expecting to have a third child, and there are times where I wonder if I’m just too dang old to be doing this, but Bump is a wonder. I can’t imagine us not having him in our lives ⁷. When Bump laughs, I melt. It’s amazing.

So happy Thanksgiving, folks. Enjoy some time with friends and/or loved ones, eat too much food, and just relax. I’m always thankful for an opportunity to not be busy!

Oh, and here’s a picture of some wild turkeys.