It is what it is – 11.27.24 – Jen Brien

by Jennifer Brien, contributing writer, commentary

THANKSGIVING FUN!

I can’t believe we all are about to celebrate THANKSGIVING AGAIN folks!!! Didn’t we JUST do this? Feels like yesterday!!!  HOWEVER, THIS YEAR will be a hell of a lot more interesting around the dinner table (and expensive… thank you, “BIDENOMICS”), that’s for sure with TRUMP headed back to the WHITE HOUSE!  THANKSGIVING 2024 should shake out to be one hell of a wing dinger especially if BOOZE is involved!!! (get good videos, gang!)! Look, I like to have fun every now and then so this week I’m in HOLIDAY MODE. I think we can all agree this past year was brutal for a variety of reasons and we could all use a good laugh. So, grab your favorite beverage and give today’s column a whirl! Thanks for reading and I hope it makes you smile! OK, on with the show!

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WEIRD THANKSGIVING FACTS THAT WILL HELP WITH THE SHEER HELL OF “SMALL TALK”

Pumpkin Pie was NOT served at the first THANKSGIVING MEAL! (The first meal was mostly SEAFOOD!)

THE TV DINNER was invented thanks to THANKSGIVING (in 1953 a SWANSON employee ordered too much TURKEY and the frozen birds were taking up too much space in the refrigerated train cars! A salesman suggested preparing small meals using the TURKEY to create more space and WALLAH! SWANSON FROZEN DINNERS WERE BORN!!!!!).

THERE WEREN’T ANY BALLOONS at the first MACY’S DAY PARADE! (The first parade featured employees, (ZZZZZ… floats, and live animals)

Benjamin Franklin wanted the TURKEY to be the U.S national BIRD!!!

THE FIRST TURKEY TROT dates back to 1896!

THANKSGIVING was originally celebrated in mid-October!

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING was a 3-day celebration!

The tradition of football on THANKSGIVING was started in 1876 when Princeton played YALE! The first NFL games began in 1920!

“JINGLE BELLS” was originally a THANKSGIVING song!

… and finally (a real shocker here folks… see below)

THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING IS KNOWN AS “DRINKSGIVING”. THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING is one of the BOOZIEST NIGHTS OF THE YEAR!

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REALLY LAME THANKSGIVING JOKES THAT COULD BREAK THE ICE IF YOU’RE HITTING ON SOMEONE!

What’s the best way to FIX a broken pumpkin??? (A PUMPKIN PATCH)

WHY did the cranberry BLUSH????? (It SAW the TURKEY dressing!)

KNOCK KNOCK! WHO’S THERE? Norma Lee. Norma Lee who? (Norma Lee I don’t eat this much!)

DID you hear about the TURKEY playing BASEBALL? (He covers FIRST BASTE!)

WHAT did the pilgrim wear to dinner?  (A HAR-VEST)

WHAT do you call rain on THANKSGIVING? (FOWL weather!)

WHY was the TURKEY asked to join a band? (BECAUSE he could bring his own DRUMSTICKS)

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10 THANKSGIVING MOVIES TO GET YOU READY FOR THURSDAY!

“A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING”

“PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES”

“HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS”

“FREE BIRDS”

“YOU’VE GOT MAIL”

“MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET”

“THE BLIND SIDE”

“GRUMPY OLD MEN”

“ROCKY” (EVEN THO PAULIE TOSSES THE BIRD INTO THE ALLEY)

“THE BIG CHILL” (ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVS)

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“SOUL FOOD” 

THE greatest joy – GIVING

THE most satisfying work – HELPING OTHERS

THE greatest shot in the arm – ENCOURAGEMENT

THE most effective sleeping pill – PEACE OF MIND

THE greatest asset – FAITH

THE most beautiful attire – A SMILE!

THE most prized possession – INTEGRITY

THE most contagious spirit – ENTHUSIASM

THE DEADLIEST WEAPON – THE TONGUE

and…

THE most powerful channel of communication – PRAYER

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WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?

Every YEAR ON Thanksgiving I SIT AND WATCH THE PBS SHOW “THE Pilgrims” by Ken Burns AND IT JUST NEVER EVER GETS OLD. I am reminded of how fortunate I am and always THANK God that I get to live in THIS TIME and not THAT TIME. Though many would question why I am SO thankful because my life is not really extraordinary and I live modestly, I truly am filled with gratitude because I am still alive, healthy, can walk, I have a hot shower and a fridge full of food etc., etc… these are things here in the WEST we take for granted.  NOPE – Not me. I was homeless some years ago and, I know how awful the world can be. My alcoholism was brutal. Military sexual trauma / PTSD almost killed me, but God sent the right people to rescue me. I am beyond grateful.

I am also grateful for a wonderful gym I’ve recently joined which helps me along in my fitness journey as I am now planning to run my second marathon next spring. IT’S CALLED “RAD FITNESS” and it’s in PAWTUCKET, RI. I wanted to let Rebecca, the owner, know OUT LOUD what a great welcoming place she has for all types of people including little OLD me. They offer several kinds of classes i.e., strength training, kick boxing, bootcamp, crossfit etc… etc… POINT IS If you’re looking for a wonderful place where you don’t feel “weird” and want to be surrounded by kindhearted fitness folks (and geeky me!), come check out this joint! Don’t wait until Jan 1st to start a fitness routine. That’s lame and people never stick to NEW YEAR’S resolutions.  I’m not getting paid to say these things BTW. I just really appreciate this business and its local. Rebecca is a bright light in this dim world, and she can help you get your workout fire back! She’s helping me now and making me strong! So, thank you Rebecca!!!!

And THANK YOU ALL for reading this when you do… you guys mean a lot to me… and thank you lord for leaving the 99 and coming to get me. You saved my life, and I am more thankful than words could express.

Happy Thanksgiving gang, and God bless to you and your families! 

TILL NEXT TIME!

Jen

P.S leave your comments on the bottom of this column! Find me on FACEBOOK AT Jennifer Brien, or email me [email protected]

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Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine Unit.

To read more columns and commentary by Jen, go here: https://rinewstoday.com/ron-st-pierre-jen-brien/