Thursday

Nov. 27, 1997

Mortal Sorrows

by Rodney Jones

THURSDAY  11/27

Today's Reading:  "Mortal Sorrows" by Rodney Jones from THINGS THAT HAPPEN ONCE, published by Houghton Mifflin (1996).

Today is Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November, a holiday proclaimed by President Lincoln in 1863. The familiar song ("A Boy's Thanksgiving Day"): Over the river and through the wood To Grandfatherâs house we go-- The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh Through the white and drifted snow. Over the river and through the wood, To Grandfatherâs house, away! We would not stop for doll or top, For It is Thanksgiving Day. Over the river and through the wood When Grandmother sees us come, She will say, Oh Dear, the children are here, Bring a pie for every one.â Over the river and through the wood Now Grandmotherâs cap I spy! Hurrah for the fun!  Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Writer James Agee, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel A DEATH IN THE FAMILY and co-author of LET US NOW PRAISE FAMOUS MEN, was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1909.

Joe Mack, who with his brothers started making their own gasoline-powered delivery wagons to deliver their silk-goods, which eventually evolved into the Mack Truck Company, was born in Mount Cobb, Pennsylvania, 1870.

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.®

 

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