Through An 'Old Timer's' Eyes
By Howard 'Mac' McDonald

I hope that your Thanksgiving was one of good food, good times and that your football team was a winner.

Thanksgiving started as a holiday to give thanks at the conclusion of the harvest season. A National Thanksgiving Proclamation was issued in 1789 by President George Washington and is a very lengthy document. It is interesting reading, but does not get much attention.

When I was in the seventh grade I had to memorize the Gettysburg Address but we were never told of the Thanksgiving Proclamation. I am sure glad we didn't have to memorize it.

As usual, because I am a professional eater, I stuffed myself to the gills. Just about everything on the table was a no-no to a diabetic. I was afraid to test my blood sugar reading so I didn't do it. I didn't feel too chipper the next day.

The USDA estimated that there were about 269 million turkeys raised and about onesixth of them made it to the Thanksgiving table.

Did you ever hear of a "turducken?" It's a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken. I heard one of them can cost up to $100. Too rich for my blood.

I think there was a mean old rooster chasing a duck who was chasing a turkey and the turkey stopped real sudden and the other two birds didn't stop. If your stop lights don't work, it is real easy to get rear-ended.

Even though there is a terrible war going on, we still have a lot to be thankful for here in this wonderful country. I hope our troops are home by next Thanksgiving. What a mess this administration has this country in.

Bear season is history. We had one leave his calling card in our yard and judging by the size of the pile, he must have been a big one.

Deer season comes in on Monday and I hope that the hunters are not too disappointed with the amount of deer that we have. There are still a few left but with so many doe permits issued, it might soon be the end. We need to close the antlerless

season for a couple

of years so the herd can rebound.

Last year a friend of mine got a bear and he said I could have the hide and head. I was going to have a bear rug made, as I have just the spot in my house for one. Well, let me tell you, for what they wanted for that six-foot rug, I could have carpeted my whole house. Maybe if I hit the PowerBall I will get one for each room.

Looks like a lot of people will be staying home for the holidays. With the price of gas over $3.00, it sure makes it hard on the middle class to go anywhere.

You might see more hobos along the tracks but the way they have goofed up the railroads, they might be able to get to Keating Summit, if they can make the grade. I hear tell they are having a hard time getting up the hill.