アメリカでは例年11月の第四木曜日が感謝祭です
秋の収穫を祝い、神の恵みに感謝します
今年は叔母夫妻と従妹家族が他州から我が家に来てくれることになりました
ありがとう、ドライブ気をつけてね
My uncle and aunt, a cousin and her family will be joining us from out of state this Thanksgiving.
Thank you, and drive safely.
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| wild turkey decanter, passed down from Grandpa 祖父から承継したワイルド・ターキー・デキャンタ |
北米大陸でのみ産する七面鳥、ロースト・ターキーがテーブルを飾るのが定番です
アメリカの国鳥はボールド・イーグル（ハクトウワシ）ですが
ベンジャミン・フランクリンはこの七面鳥を国鳥にしたかったようです
「卑怯な性格のワシよりも、ちょっと奇妙な容貌だが勇敢なターキーのほうが適合である」
と、1784年に書かれた娘への手紙が遺されています
いつも、なんだか変な鳥、と思っていましたが
改めて敬意を払って・・・いただきます
I had always thought turkeys were strange and silly looking birds.
Here is an excerpt from a Ben Franklin's letter to his daughter on turkey
-with my renewed respect for the bird.
"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.
"With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country...
"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."
Benjamin Franklin, 1784Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone.
