Armistice Day – watercress words by Dr Aletha

Say “November”, and in the United States, we think “Thanksgiving”.

Yes, for the abundant and delicious food we consume, but mostly because it’s a time spent with family, often ones we don’t see every day. And other countries observe a Thanksgiving Day.

What do you have planned for Thanksgiving?

Whether you have made plans yet or not, what would make your holiday special and satisfying? What do you need to do now to make that happen?

An Immigrant’s Thanksgiving

Dr. Hans Duvefelt immigrated to the United States from Sweden. He practices medicine in Maine and writes a blog, “A Country Doctor Writes”.

He wrote about his first Thanksgiving in the United States. Here is a link to that article.

Another Thanksgiving Reflection

A Country Doctor Writes

Dr. Duvefelt published his blog posts as a 3-book series, available on Amazon. (affiliate link)

Daylight Saving Time ends

If you don’t like changing to Daylight Saving Time in the spring, you will welcome the change back to standard time in the fall. We used to change in October but a few years ago it was extended to the first Sunday in November.

If the change messes with your sleep, this post offers help to adjust quickly.

How does the change in daylight hours affect the way you feel and function?

Sleep Practices for Restful Nights

Keep reading

Armistice Day-November 11

Maybe you’ve never heard of this day. It’s become more of a historical term for the end of World War I, said to have ended “at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918.

Many countries observe it in various ways. In the United Kingdom it’s called Remembrance Day. In the United States, we mark it as Veterans’ Day, where we honor those who have served in the military in all wars and peacetime.

Forever Honoring Our Veterans

Veterans Day on November 11 honors all who served in the U.S. armed forces. The Veterans Administration provides crucial health care and education through the VHA system. Personal stories highlight the deep bonds between veterans and their families. Meets a wounded veteran’s therapy dog serving as his best man at his wedding.

Keep reading

Your Veteran Relatives

Some veterans welcome the chance to tell stories about their service time, while others find it too intrusive. Be sensitive to their feelings and don’t push those who are reluctant to share.

For your relatives who are willing to talk about their military experiences, show interest even if you’ve heard their stories before. Their accounts are history that may otherwise be unknown. Once they are gone, their stories will be gone too. Don’t miss this chance to learn valuable family history.

Native American Heritage Month

The Thanksgiving holiday mostly celebrates the immigration of Europeans to the North American continent. Native American Heritage Day and Month, recognize the people who were already here.

It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation….

we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation.

We celebrate Indian Country with its remarkable diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and peoples while remembering and honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our Nation.
U.S. Department of the InteriorIndian Affairs

If you descend from Indigenous groups, how do you observe and preserve your heritage?

If you descend from people who came to North America from elsewhere, what do you know about the Indigenous people who inhabited the land you now live on?

The Rich History of Watercress in Native American Culture

In 1889, the Locvpokv Muscogee Creeks established the village of Talasi near the Arkansas River, later called Tulsa. The Council Oak remains a cultural landmark, where Native Americans hold ceremonies. This article explores watercress and its culinary uses, highlighting its significance to local indigenous communities and the environment.

Keep reading

Giving Tuesday-“Radical Generosity”

It started with Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, when shoppers flock to retailers in search of Christmas shopping bargains.

Then came Small Business Saturday, which promotes local, independently owned businesses.

And the next shopping event is Cyber Monday, for e-commerce transactions on the Monday after Thanksgiving. It was created by retailers to encourage people to shop online.

All of these are opportunities for shoppers to save money and for businesses to make profits, strengthening the economy. But some parts of our society can fall through the cracks of that economy.

While some of us may be doing well financially, not everyone is. And that’s where Giving Tuesday bridges the gap.

Join the GivingTuesday movement and reimagine a world built upon shared humanity and radical generosity.
Giving Tuesday website

And generosity is not just about money. “Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts, and everyone has something to give.”

Radical generosity-the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering
GIVING TUESDAY

Because Thanksgiving is November 27, Cyber Monday is December 1, and Giving Tuesday is December 2. But why wait? Any day is a perfect day to be generous.

Exploring the HEART of health

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