Hey Everyone! Just wanted to take a fast brake to stop by and wish everyone one here a Happy Thanksgiving! I am in the middle of finishing up my cooking for today. Hope everyone eats alot, watches alots of tv, plays some games, and just have a great time.

Much Love and Blessings, Scatha

The year 1924 witnessed the first annual Macy's Christmas Parade (the following year the name would change to its current "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade").

Popular myth has it that the parade stemmed from immigrant employees' desire to celebrate their new American heritage in a parade reminiscent of European traditions.

In reality, however, the interest of promoting the company and its stores prompted the then president and vice president, Jesse and Percy Straus, to make arrangements for Macy's first parade. The Straus brothers "kept the carnival aspect of the older ragamuffin tradition but took complete managerial control over who or what marched, thereby preventing the parade from becoming spontaneous or democratic . . . this parade was to stand for 'consumptionism,' not for traditions invoking poverty or ethnic heritage."Though employees happily participated in the staging of it, contrary to popular belief, the organization of the first parade was the province of company executives, not immigrant employees.

Features of the first parade in 1924 included marching bands, clowns, horse-drawn floats depicting popular fairytales, live animals from the Central Park Zoo, and of course, Santa. Live animals were exhibited in the parade until 1927 when, in consideration of frightened children, they were replaced by Tony Sarg's first giant balloon characters: Felix the Cat, the Dragon, the Elephant, and the Toy Soldier. The parade's initial success motivated Macy's to instruct the public through the New York Times to reserve the following Thanksgiving Day for another parade. Each year since, Macy's has promised an ever more spectacular parade

The parade's route has shrunk from its nearly six mile length in 1924 to its present span of roughly 2 miles. In 1924 the parade began at the intersection of Convent Ave and 145th Street. In 1938, the parade began at Amsterdam Ave and 110th Street and traversed four miles before it reached Herald Square. By 1946 the parade began following its current route from 77th Street and Central Park West to Columbus Circle and thenceforth to Herald Square on Broadway and 34th, at which point it culminates, after about two miles of marching.

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I wanted to posted this blog one day early just because I will very busy on Thanksgiving Day and I do not know if I would have time to get to it. Also, I thought I would be nice for anyone who might want to know the history of the parade. I like to know those things. I will be checking in and out tomorrow also as I am starting to cook early to get things done. Enjoy...

We are going to start off this year with a tradition that is still young compared to others. It is the Pardon of the Thanksgiving Turkey.

Each year since 1947, the National Turkey Federation and the Poultry and Egg National Board have given a turkey to the President of the United States at a White House ceremony. Since then, presidents have been more likely to eat the turkey rather than give it a reprieve. A notable exception occurred in 1963, when President Kennedy, referring to the turkey given to him, said, "Let's just keep him." It wasn't until the first Thanksgiving of President George H.W. Bush, in 1989, that a turkey was officially pardoned for the first time.

Confusing the Practice
Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have continued the pardons begun under the first Bush. Some confusion about the true origin of this practice has crept into recent presidential speeches though. One story claims that Harry Truman pardoned the turkey given to him in 1947, but the Truman Library has been unable to find any evidence of this. Another story claims the tradition dates back to Abraham Lincoln pardoning his son Tad's pet turkey.

From Frying Pan Park to Disneyland
What's certain is that since 1989 a turkey-and its alternate-have been pardoned each year. An alternate is chosen just in case the first bird is unable to perform its duties. For fifteen years through 2004, the turkeys were given to Kidwell Farm, a petting zoo at Frying Pan Park in Herndon, Virginia. The turkeys would receive a last minute pardon before arriving, and were then led to their new home at the Turkey Barn after enduring a turkey "roast" full of poultry humor and history.

In 2005 and 2006, however, the turkeys were flown to Disneyland in California where they served as honorary grand marshals for Disneyland's Thanksgiving Day parade. After that, they spent the rest of their lives at a Disneyland ranch. A spot in sunny Disneyland seems immensely preferable to a place called Frying Pan Park if you happen to be a turkey who has just escaped from becoming the main course of someone's Thanksgiving feast.

The People's Choice
On Wednesday, November 26, 2008, President Bush gave two turkeys named Pumpkin and Pecan a last-minute reprieve. The two hail from Ellsworth, Iowa, and were raised under the direction of National Turkey Federation Chairman Paul Hill. The American public was allowed to vote for the turkeys' names on the White House web site. 2007's turkeys were named May and Flower, 2006's were Flyer and Fryer; 2005's were Marshmallow and Yam; and 2004's were Biscuit and Gravy.

Just a reminder, in case most of you have forgotten, with is most of you, I will start on my Holiday blogs. The first two with deal with Thanksgiving. Then we will head off into Christmas. Be ready!

This news story has been out for day or so, you may have seen it, but I wanted to add it. It is just unbelieveable to say the least...

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Officials said an elaborate marijuana growing site was found in an industrial building 25 FEET FROM THE BACK DOOR OF THE TOPANGA POLICE STATION in Los Angeles, and three people are under arrest. Officer Karen Rayner said the pot was discovered Wednesday when a search warrant was served at an address adjacent to the station in Canoga Park.

The indoor marijuana farm included lights, automated irrigation and a ventilation system. Investigators said it had been there for AT LEAST EIGHT MONTHS.

The investigation began a week ago, when officers smelled marijuana in the police station parking lot.

The suspects' names have not been released. Rayner says they face a number of narcotics charges.