Greetings from Goat Hill Tavern in Costa Mesa, California, USA!
Photo was taken on Wednesday, November 21, 2007.
Thanksgiving Day. Many American television series do an episode on the holiday and, when they air in other countries, I wonder if the rest of the world fully understands the meaning of the day or if they yawn and switch channels to watch something else. This North American holiday is celebrated in Canada (the 2nd Monday of October) and the USA (the 4th Thursday of November). Its name says it all – a day to give thanks, namely to God, but it transcends religion. Regardless of one’s beliefs, everyone can take part, as the day is to reflect – being thankful for what you have. Family and friends gathering for a meal is just icing on the cake or more appropriately vanilla ice cream on warm apple pie sprinkled with cinnamon following a dinner of turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, cobs of corn dripping with butter… Hungry now?
My parents and I celebrated the holiday at a restaurant where a long-time family friend had a surprise party for her 85th birthday. Just reaching that age is impressive yet she has other big numbers. Her one and only husband died a few years ago after 60+ years of marriage. She has 16 children (13 girls, 3 boys, no twins or other multiples), 45+ grandchildren, 25+ great grandchildren and counting. Her kids’ births span 2 decades and she spent 12 years being pregnant (9 months x 16 kids). There is no beating this woman. Combined my 2 parents and their 13 siblings had 30-odd children. Close but not enough.
From Thanksgiving to gift-giving, the holiday weekend officially starts the shopping season for Hanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. This year was the first time I heard of stores opening at 4 A.M. Thursday: eat for a great meal. Friday: shop for a great deal. What about Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving? If they are in town for the holiday, my friends and acquaintances traditionally meet at the Goat Hill Tavern bar - on the floor sawdust and on the walls and ceilings an eclectic collection of posters, photos, road signs, bicycles, mailboxes, airplane parts, etc. I’ve even seen snow skis. Yet the bar is best known for having over 100 beers on tap. As shown in the photo of the week, this is also where beer taps are immortalized as the patio ceiling is lined with the taps of beers past and present… Thirsty now?
Angelo
Photo was taken on Wednesday, November 21, 2007.
Thanksgiving Day. Many American television series do an episode on the holiday and, when they air in other countries, I wonder if the rest of the world fully understands the meaning of the day or if they yawn and switch channels to watch something else. This North American holiday is celebrated in Canada (the 2nd Monday of October) and the USA (the 4th Thursday of November). Its name says it all – a day to give thanks, namely to God, but it transcends religion. Regardless of one’s beliefs, everyone can take part, as the day is to reflect – being thankful for what you have. Family and friends gathering for a meal is just icing on the cake or more appropriately vanilla ice cream on warm apple pie sprinkled with cinnamon following a dinner of turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, cobs of corn dripping with butter… Hungry now?
My parents and I celebrated the holiday at a restaurant where a long-time family friend had a surprise party for her 85th birthday. Just reaching that age is impressive yet she has other big numbers. Her one and only husband died a few years ago after 60+ years of marriage. She has 16 children (13 girls, 3 boys, no twins or other multiples), 45+ grandchildren, 25+ great grandchildren and counting. Her kids’ births span 2 decades and she spent 12 years being pregnant (9 months x 16 kids). There is no beating this woman. Combined my 2 parents and their 13 siblings had 30-odd children. Close but not enough.
From Thanksgiving to gift-giving, the holiday weekend officially starts the shopping season for Hanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. This year was the first time I heard of stores opening at 4 A.M. Thursday: eat for a great meal. Friday: shop for a great deal. What about Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving? If they are in town for the holiday, my friends and acquaintances traditionally meet at the Goat Hill Tavern bar - on the floor sawdust and on the walls and ceilings an eclectic collection of posters, photos, road signs, bicycles, mailboxes, airplane parts, etc. I’ve even seen snow skis. Yet the bar is best known for having over 100 beers on tap. As shown in the photo of the week, this is also where beer taps are immortalized as the patio ceiling is lined with the taps of beers past and present… Thirsty now?
Angelo
