| BigDiggers' Thanksgiving 2000
By Imelda Murphy and Francis Murphy
Basted turkeys surrounded by a cornucopia of side dishes will be adorning
tables across America this week. Always the third Thursday of November,
Thanksgiving rivals Christmas in importance to American families, who come
together around an elaborate meal. The holiday commemorates a harvest meal
and peaceful interlude shared between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans,
who introduced the newcomers to indigenous edibles including the large bird,
whose name and likeness has become synonymous with the day. Americans give
thanks to God for the nation's bounty, which they have gathered together
to share, and our workers on the BigDig are no different:
SEAN O'NEILL
Heidi's family will be lavishing food and attention on their son-in-law
to be. Sean will be heading west on the Mass. Pike to Connecticut for the
holiday weekend with Heidi.
PAUL BRADY
Like Al MacPhail (below), Paul is using the holiday as an opportunity to
get-away. Paul's grandfather is ailing, and he will be in Dublin over the
American holiday.
AL MACPHAIL
Americans, who are not cooking, are traveling to be fed by family or friends.
The Central Artery and Logan Airport will be stuffed with traffic. The MacPhails
are using the Holiday break to visit Virginia's sister in Kitchner, Ontario.
Canada celebrated its Thanksgiving Holiday on the 9th October.Curiously
enough, Al's son Andrew will be abroad - in Turkey- for the week.
MARTIN MCDONAGH
Uncle Jimmy's will be the scene of the festivities for the McDonagh family
in Boston. Jimmy's daughter is due in from Seattle, where she works for
the local telephone company. Martin looks forward to the huge meal and to
seeing his cousin, and to watching American Football games with his two
uncles Jimmy & Pat. Football dominates television through the afternoon
and evening. The morning's television covers the annual Thanksgiving parade
with its fancy floats and three-storey balloon figures. Bridgeen has to
work a shift at the pub Thursday, but will be over that evening to Jimmy's
to elbow Martin back awake.
GERRY MCNALLY
There will be about 20 people sharing cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and other
traditional ingredients that are now a part of the McNally Thanksgiving
dinner. Maureen McNally's two sisters and their families will be over for
the day. Gerry will know by Wednesday eve whether he needs to report to
work at 2a.m. Friday to supervise a concrete pour. If not required to work,
Gerry, like many Americans, will take Friday off and have a four-day holiday
weekend.
PAT WALSH
The family patriarch will be surrounded by his family and grandchildren
at his son's house. Pat enjoys Thanksgiving because it's such a big family
event.
GEORGE FARR
The Farr household will be introducing friends from Cork and Scotland to
the traditions of the holiday. Eileen Farr loves to cook and will be preparing
the meal and table arrangements all week. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
© Copyright Francis and Imelda Murphy
All rights reserved
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