Wet and Cold

Well, the wet, cold, dreary days of November have arrived here in central Illinois. We are thankful that we got as much outside work done as we did. Not that there isn't more to do - there is always repair and maintenance work to do on a hog farm. But we can pick our days to do outside work now, and today wasn't one of them.
But as dreary as it is outside, a contemplative, grateful, and thankful attitude comes over us as we approach Thanksgiving day.

President Bush pardoned May and Flower today.

When President Bush stepped into the Rose Garden today, he found visitors in every coveted seat, reporters standing three rows deep and staff members craning for just one good glimpse. They came for one of those signature White House moments: Bush saving the life of a huge, white, gobbling bird. This one – and its backup -- raised in southern Indiana.

Bush granted his yearly pardon to the national Thanksgiving turkey, named “May,” and a backup turkey who went unseen, who goes by “Flower.”

The names were chosen in an online poll that drew more than 28,000 votes. It was close; people also liked “Wish and Bone,” and “Wing and Prayer.”

“They’re certainly better than the names the vice president suggested, which was ‘lunch’ and ‘dinner,”’ Bush said.

Bush and the bird coexisted peacefully, although the turkey interrupted the president three times with gobbles, much to the delight of the audience.

After the pardon, the president petted the bird gently and then encouraged some young children to gather around him and do the same.

The White House made clear that the national turkey and its alternate were raised under “normal feeding” conditions. The one exception is when the birds were given some extra interaction with people so that they would be ready for their big moment at the White House.

The popular pardon ceremony, now in its 60th year, dates to Harry Truman’s days as president.

May and Flower are now headed to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., to be honorary grand marshals at Disney’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

“May they live the rest of their lives in blissful gobbling,” Bush said.

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.