Hey Bob,  I would never call you a turkey, gobble gobble.  Now if you want to call yourself one, that's a different story lol.

Hi Liz - I didn't carve mine either this year. That was always my husband's job to do with the kids.  He was working yesterday and the kids were all off to "grownup" parties.  I just had a few candles going in the house.

Hi Melinda - Glad you had a great Halloween.  I think we should have an Active Rain contest on turkey disasters.  I'm sure there have been a few.

Hi Marc - Alas I don't think the pumpkin pie is going to happen.  I even have a few cans of the stuff in the cupboard and haven't done anything with them.  I just made pancakes this morning and put babanas in.  What was I thinking?  My sister has a great pumpkin pancake recipe.  You are right about the malls.  I did see some Xmas stuff the other day.

Hi Fred, I'm working on changing the clocks right now.  Yah he is a bit of a skinny bird but I didn't see many fat animals in Cuba.  Remember even the people get food stamps to live on and their monthly ration lasts only 3 weeks.  Terrible. They make 23 Pesos a month.  Not much to supplement the food rations.

Hi Theodora - I hope you have a great gathering at Thanksgiving.  Sounds like you are organized already.  But then it is November isn't it?  Yikes where has the year gone??

Ed, that is a fantastic idea.  Have you posted a blog about this yet???  I hope you do if you haven't already.  What an amazing goodwill gesture. You must be the talk of the town.  It sounds like so much fun and so many people benefit.  I hope you post some photos of the big event.

Hi Maureen, I didn't recognize you because of the different profile pic.  Poor doggy's all mixed up, eh?  I like your idea of getting an updated Thanksgiving post out. Sometimes it's easier for some to eat out for the big dinner.

Hi Norma, I have to go to the mall tomorrow.  Now that it's November I wonder if the Christmas music will be playing.  Yikes.  I'm still trying to figure where the year has gone.

Hi Mary - I bet you have all your Christmas gifts bought and wrapped already lol.  I think when the snow hits it feels more like holiday time.  I would be happy to get it on the 24 of Dec. til Jan 1.  Has yours melted yet?

Haha John - Very funny.  No I'm not touching the yucky insides of a pumpkin.  I would love to be on your beaches right now.  I don't know if they'd let me bring the pie across the border being it's a vegetable you know.

Hi Bill, wow the Turkey as a national bird.  I'm Canadian so it would probably be the Canada Goose here.  Or maybe it is already.  Not too sure about that.  I was really surprised though when I found out the Utah State bird is the Seagull!!!  What the heck?  You must have more where you are than they do in Utah.

Hi Marian - I like it in October also.  We get a bit of a rest between turkey dinners.  I know you have your big shopping blitz the day after your Thanksgiving.  And then there's lots of football right???

Hi Sandy - I think any occasion where we can pull the family together for a few hours is great.  I come from a large family and I find when the food is all served and cleaned up everyone starts to leave before I even get a chance to talk to each one.

Hi Gene - A lot of people love Nov. and Dec. but many find it to be very stressful.  It's all so complicated now.  And everything is so $$$$.  Enjoy your family and football. :)

O.K. Tom - I think I get it. Pop a Tums will you.  And it's the turkey that makes you tired.  A good walk before the football will help.  God I hate football.

Hi Jon - I agree.  I think Ed needs to give us a play by play.  Is that football lingo?

Hi Kathy - One turkey at a time - sounds good.  I saw lots of nice Christmas stuff at HomeSense theother day also.  Didn't buy anything though.

Hi Dianne - the turkeys and other wildlife just roamed free in Cuba.  We saw pigs and cows on the road too.

Hi Kathy - I think the stores are all just hoping you show up to shop the day after Thanksgiving.

Hi Martha - I mean Therese - What?  You don't spend all morning cooking and all afternoon sewing and making crafts?? What's the matter with you lol?

Hi Irene - I'm happy that you enjoy this time of year.  Maybe you are the real Martha??

Hi Terry - I was just wondering what I"m supposed to do with mine.  Put them in the green box? Let them rot?  Use them for bowling balls?

Hi Anna - I see you got your "hair" cut.  I loved those lovely Dolly Parton locks.  Doesn't time stand still in the heat??  I think Ed's idea is brilliant.

Hi Debra - I hate that it gets dark at 5:00 now too.  Makes for a long evening.  At least it's pushing me to the gym. I'll dig up some Cuba stuff one day soon.  We had hail today.  Can the snow be far behind?

Hi Rita - I'm afraid I leave things to the last minute also.  I have to be in the mood to get at the decorating. 

Al & Peg - I don't think I've tried roasted pumpkin seeds.  No, no pie, sorry.  But I was just at the store and looking at them.  I really had a craving.  But none looked appealing so I came home and had a chocolate pudding.  Boring.  I don't think this was a full fledged gold star feature.  Just made the daily newsletter thingy that goes out.  It was nice to get some great comments though.

Ben you are so right - It is nice to travel but always nice to come home.  Cuba is an awesome island.  The people are so friendly and hospitable.  They lead simple lives but are very poor. 

Thanks Roxy - same to you.  There is so much political correctness these days around holiday traditions.  So Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, etc.

Hi Martin - So true.  See my comment to Roxy.  Our community is very multi cultural and many different holidays are observed.  Homes here are decorated in many different ways.