Approaching Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving preparation 2022

Thanksgiving is commonly associated with the Pilgrims and Native Americans coming together for a peaceful feast in 1621. This is the holiday’s mythology, but it very much overlooks the darker aspects of history. The arrival of European settlers to Turtle Island resulted in the displacement, marginalization, and eradication of indigenous communities, and it's important to hold these truths in mind as we prepare to celebrate.

Agenda:

1. Plan an acknowledgement

2. Support Native Communities

3. Read "Wake Up Grateful"

4. Make pies

1. Plan an acknowledgement:

In order to celebrate Thanksgiving respectfully, I plan to acknowledge the diverse cultures and histories that existed long before the arrival of European settlers. Today I will write an acknowledgment of the Kalapuya People, and prepare to read it at our Thanksgiving meal tomorrow.

2. Support Native Communities

I've decided to use Thanksgiving as an annual opportunity to support Native communities and contribute to indigenous-led initiatives, charities, or businesses. By actively engaging and supporting these communities, I show my gratitude for all they did to care for the land I now live on, and help repay a debt of my ancestors.

3. Read "Wake Up Grateful":

I've been reading this book by Kristi Nelson (2020), with the sub-title "The Transformative Practice of Taking Nothing for Granted". She explains how she met Brother David Steindl-Rast, and eventually began to work with him on The Network for Grateful Living website, and that this book is a guidebook based on Brother David's teachings.

Chapter 2 is Grateful Living as a Way of Life. It covers the five guiding principles of Brother David's teaching.

The fourth principle is Appreciation is Generative. "Awareness makes it possible to become active practitioners in shaping our experience. ... What we celebrate with our attention will grow and thrive." 

One practice for this principle is to Tend what you value: Commit to taking care of one thing you love - a plant, a room, a core value, a person, or your neighborhood. Show this one thing active appreciation and care everyday for a period of time.

4. Make pies:

This recipe card is very old!

Today I will make the pies! My pumpkin pie recipe-

Ingredients:

• 4 c. pumpkin
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp. each ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg

Makes one large pie-

1- Put half of the pumpkin and half of the milk in the food processor, and blend until pureed.

2- Pour into a mixer bowl, and repeat with the second batch.

3- Add eggs, sugar, salt, and spices to the mixer bowl and mix on low.

4- Preheat the oven to 450ºF. Make the pastry and line the pie plate. Fill.

5- Bake at 450ºF for 10 minutes, then lower the heat to 375ºF and bake for 45 minutes. Filling will be soft, but not wiggly.