With ‘Holiday Season’ fast approaching I celebrated the
American classic – Thanksgiving – with the religiously bike riding vegetarian
of my previous post. We shall name him Andrew. We travelled to the ‘burbs just
outside the state capital of Jackson; named, of course, for the seventh
president of the United States (shown, not to true scale to the left!). (As an historical aside, Mississippi’s second
Constitution of 1832 flowed with principles of Jacksonian Democracy, and was
one of the most radical state constitutions of the time with regard to the lack
of property rights needed to vote. The city of Jackson was founded as the
capital because the site within fifty miles of the state’s centre, had ample
timber supplies, and direct waterways. I do love my Mississippi History class –
y’all.)
Every American student had told me of the Thanksgiving
Feast. Fears of eating myself into a catatonic stupor were not a million miles
away from the truth. When we arrived, a day before the main event, the kitchen
was alive with cooking. In the process of being made were pumpkin pie, pumpkin
cheesecake, chocolate pie, pecan pie, and a sweet potato casserole. The
casserole arises much discussion on whether its status lies as a main dish or
dessert; its vegetable base suggested main, but its crumbly pecan topping (some
families use marshmallows too) gives a dessert quality. We ate the sweet
potatoes as a main, alongside turkey, ham, cornbread ‘dressing’ (a Southern
delicacy and sort of stuffing), vegetables, mashed potatoes, and homemade
cranberry sauce. The turkey was a thing of pride and beauty; lovingly fried by
Andrew’s father in the back yard. My scepticism at the cooking method was assuaged
upon seeing how moist the meat remained compared to roasting.
After the delicious meal Andrew, his two brothers, and I
played games in the yard, while his grandfather snoozed and watched a quintessential
American football game. That weekend was one of the last of the college
football season and saw intra-state rivals attempt to best each other – Florida
State Vs. University of Florida for example. In the evening the entire family
took part in board games – Cranium, Smart
Ass etc. – and had a jolly old time.
I’m very grateful for being so welcomed into a family’s home
for the holiday. Although, I do find it odd that Thanksgiving feels so similar
Christmas but with no presents, or that in a month’s time families again cook a
turkey and socialise with each other. As wonderful as the day was, and how good
it is to have a day of reflection for thanks, I’m glad we don’t have an equivalent
holiday. But I cannot emphasise how lovely three days from class were –
especially now I’m, once again, feeling exam stress, essay stress, and an
overwhelming last minute scramble for grades.
Just two weeks until Christmas break – roll on Colorado, Ottawa, and Chicago. And watch this space.
Enjoying the Mississippi Capitol - Jackson, MS.
