A Friendsgiving Nighthawk
Celebrating a Modern Classic
Vol. 128, November 26th, 2024 Published a Day Early Online
Friendsgiving
A Modern Classic
The kids these days have a celebration. They didn’t invent it, but for once, they caught the spirit of the season, and distilled it down to a phrase–Friendsgiving: Thanksgiving with Friends. I dig it.
The modern age discards traditions far too easily, so I make a point of keeping their flame burning here, spotlighting history, culture, and things from the past.
But this new fad of Friendsgiving highlights the root of the day: gratitude, even in new places, with those we can celebrate with. Since the Nighthawk is by and for pen-pals, I’d like to wish YOU a happy Friendsgiving.
What a year it’s been: writing stories, Elvis records, Frankie Valli tunes, talking about AI and country music, discussing purpose, and the best Chicken Dance you’ve ever seen. Just last week, I played Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” with a bunch of pals at a show, and we all sang along, waving our phones in the air like lighters.
Mamaaaa....Just killed a man...
What a blast it’s been. Hey, we’ve even started that life advice workbook (I haven’t forgotten about it, I promise!) I’m so grateful that we all get to know each other, and be friends, and be grateful together. Now, that’s a Friendsgiving worth toasting.
Cheers!
When Vegetarians Hunt
Bagged a Blue Spruce and a Canaan Fir on the family outing. Crikey, mate!
Quote of the Week
“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.”
–Jean Baptiste Massieu
“Of all the gin joints in the world...”
Casablanca premieres 11/26/42 to perennial stardom. “Here’s to looking at you, kid.”
Carol’s Appalachian Word of the Week
Piece (Distance). “They just live down the road a piece.”
Song of the Week
“As Time Goes By”
Herman’s Hupfield’s modest hit from the 30’s became the smash theme for Casablanca. It wasn’t their first choice, and was selected for financial reasons.
Write to Us!
The Nighthawk is a new old-fashioned way to connect, published weekly. You’re invited to write back, or just enjoy reading. Let’s have some fun! It’s a social paper! Send stories, etc to: PO Box 783, Rustburg, VA 24588 or Joshurban@protonmail.com
Letters from Josh
(A weekly update from Josh Urban’s adventures on the farm and in the city. #213)
Appearing in the Altavista Journal, etc: Happy Thanksgiving
Howdy, folks, and welcome back to the show! “Did a bomb go off?” my brother asked. I’m not sure how celery ended up on the ceiling–and the floor–and across the way. Whoever said “hard work pays off” was lying. The Thanksgiving stuffing was awful. And late. The family sat around the table, wondering what the hold up was.
“Mush. It’s what’s for dinner.” I found pieces of onion behind the coffee maker the next day. We still laugh about it all these years later.
So I don’t do a lot of Thanksgiving prep, or any cooking, really. Those New Year’s resolutions will come true one of these decades, though, and then I’ll invite you all over for dinner. In the meantime, I’ll confine my Happy Thanksgiving wishes to this column. I don’t want to hurt anyone.
Folks, I sure am grateful that we get to do this “show” together. From trains and stars and watching ‘em build houses, to musical references and appreciating our great nation, I’m as surprised as you are when I read Late Night Radio. No telling what it’ll be next week. I hope you’re enjoying our adventures as much as I am.
Speaking of musical references, I used to wonder why there’s not better Thanksgiving music. Someone made the point on X that “if you’re bugged about Christmas music in the store before the turkey is served, write a decent song for this season.”
Thing is: maybe that’s the point. Thanksgiving is a good time to look at the whole year, and the tunes that go with it. Summer songs, love songs, sad tunes from the dark of February, celebration jams in the fall–it’s all a good soundtrack for the entire year.
Like the music on any good playlist, 2024 has been a mixed bag: I’ve put down roots in a beautiful new home. Dear friends have passed away. Good things have been celebrated, and sad things mourned. There’s a whole mix, and through it all, I’m counting my blessings.
The top of my 2024 gratitude list is finding God. You wouldn’t believe how stubborn I’ve been about it, and the patience of the friends and family over the years. But unlike my hard work failing at cooking, theirs paid off. Talk about champions. I’ll be thanking them. And thanking God.
And, thank you. Thank you for the prayers. Thank you for the kindness. Thank you for reading. Thank you for not coming to dinner. You’d thank me, too. We’d have to resort to Chinese take out. But, the slogan on the bag would still get the point across. “Thank you. Have a nice day.” I mean it.
With gratitude,
Josh
Send leftovers and recipes to P.O. Box 783, Rustburg, VA 24588 or on X @RealJoshUrban