Who doesn’t love an adaptation of Dickens’ classic tale?
Last night we saw a production of “A HANUKKAH CAROL, or GELT TRIP! THE MUSICAL” at the Round House Theatre. Well done, clever, timely and funny.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, I have been thinking of my Thanksgivings past, present and future.
Growing up we watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade as this was the window to seeing what musicals were on Broadway. I’ve been to the parade twice:
1979 when we were living in New Jersey (Herb Alpert, Sha Na Na & Mickey Rooney!)
1997 a few months after having moved to NYC to pursue performing dreams. (During those NYC days, I auditioned for Round House. It all comes full circle...)
Pretty much since my sophomore year of college, Thanksgiving has not been spent with family back home. The variety of locales, traditions and table staples have been all over the map literally. I don’t have actual photographs, but lots of imprinted memories: Dinner near the rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts…backyard target shooting before dinner in eastern Tennessee, visiting the bald eagles in western Tennessee…riding the subway in NYC with a fully cooked turkey to a friend’s apartment…a vegetarian Thanksgiving in Seattle…trying to find a way to watch the Macy’s parade while in England…cooking a Thanksgiving meal for one while cat sitting during the pandemic.
And Thanksgiving on the ship? The years spent on American-owned cruise lines, it was no problem finding comradery and turkey with trimmings.
In 2006, my contract was an 11-month long contract, which is long for a performer. We had started just after the new year, so by the time Thanksgiving rolled around just a few weeks before heading home, homesickness hit big time.
As I was on a British cruise line, I wasn’t sure a turkey dinner would be on the menu. Not really an American holiday they feel the need to adopt, but I was assured by fellow crew members that there would be turkey.
My (English) friend Lee and I headed to the dining room: No turkey.
Sniff sniff, but OK. At least I was enjoying a nice meal with friends.
Time to reach home. We were at sea that day, somewhere off of western Europe, and so with the time difference, I had waited until later in the day. This is when I discovered I had no internet or phone access. I don’t remember the exact specifics, but it was something like you had to pay your crew bill if it reached $100 and mine had just bumped over that and the crew office was closed, so there was no way to pay and be able to use the internet or the ship’s calling.
Lee also let me use his crew account to reach home.
I have lost touch with Lee, but this time of year I always think back to his kindness.
As for Thanksgiving present- yep, with friends! Thanksgiving future - who knows? But I look forward to whatever adventure it will bring. As a nod to Thanksgiving future, the cover image for this blog was created using AI.
Wellness Round Up
Nutrition, Hydration, Stress, and Sleep have all been pretty good…Nothing inspirational to report.
Movement. The area needing the greatest improvement. I’ve done some walking and running - time to keep up the momentum.
Wishing a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday for those who celebrate. Wishing safe travels for those who will be on the road, in the air, riding the rails or on the sea.
That’s it for now. Bon Voyage & Bon Appétit!
Good memories of your Thanksgiving in West TN! I always enjoy your photos and admire your adventurous spirit. Hope this Thanksgiving was a good one. Love you!