Happy Thanksgiving 2021!

Nov 25

Thanksgiving blessings!

My brother, Steve Coyner, shared some of his beautiful photos with us for today’s special blog. Many of us, myself included, have happy memories of family at Thanksgiving. If you are one of those who dreaded family holidays, I understand how difficult that can be. My hope is that you are changing your family tree by creating new and special traditions and memories.

Steve’s lovely photo of this mountain road brought back a childhood memory. When I was in second grade, my teacher chose me to be part of a group invited to sing for our town’s local Lion’s Club. I was so excited. My dad was a Lion’s member, and I felt such pride sitting next to him during dinner. I still recall my relief that Dad didn’t scold me when I spilled my glass of pineapple juice! The song our second-grade group sang was a very old nursery rhyme set to music:

“Over the River and Through the Woods”

Thanksgiving Song

Over the river and through the woods,
To grandfather’s* house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

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

Over the river and thru the wood,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bell ring, “Ting-a-ling-ling!”

Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!

Over the river and thru the woods,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground like a hunting hound,
For this is Thanksgiving Day!

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

Over the river and through the woods,
Now Grandmother’s cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie! [i]