It's also a chance to bake a pie or cake, roast a turkey, mash some potatoes, or dig out your mom's stuffing recipe - although most swear by the one on the back of the bag of Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix. Yup, even expats in France. If you want to make an overseas American happy, bring over a bag before November 24th. (I don't need one, though, since I'll be with my family in New England.) We also stock up on butter and cream for purée (mashed potatoes), and make sure to have enough wine, or bourbon, to deal with all the stress of putting that meal together! Or after the election, to celebrate our candidate's victory, or...
Which brings me to something else important this November: Vote!
Years ago I was traveling in a somewhat remote country, and was talking to a local. I was blathering on and on about some of the things that our country doesn't do as well as I thought it should. The woman stopped, looked at me, and said, "Do you have any idea how lucky you are to be able to vote?" It hit me that she was right. It's something we take for granted. In many places in the world, people don't have that right, as well as others that we just assume are universal. Even though it may be inconvenient, or a pain to stand in line, or find a parking space, it's a right that we Americans should cherish - and to exercise*. So don't forget to vote!
- David
*And who doesn't love exercise? ; )