It’s Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Another one of those holidays that probably only has any significance to Americans. Although this is a time that we’re supposed to be thankful for the things the Indians did for us in allowing helping Pilgrims to survive, we mainly just gorge ourselves with turkey, stuffing (a bread-crumb mash, of sorts), sweet potatoes, and cranberry relish. There’s also notoriously a football game or two to watch as the tryptophan in turkey slowly puts you into a slumber (or quickly – just how much turkey did you eat?!?). This year, we’ll be breaking our recent trend to eat a real home-cooked meal at Amy’s parent’s house. Her sister will be joining us from Philadelphia too. She apparently can’t actually get good southern cooking in Philly – a wonder, I’m sure. Regardless of the usual happenings at Thanksgiving, I’m particularly thankful for the things I have and the world I live in. I was just in communication with a new friend in Iran. I’m looking into getting a drum (the tombak) from him, as he’s in the industry and can certainly pick out a good one. As it is, he can’t have a bank account of any type that is based in the U.S. (ergo, no PayPal). He also can’t ship to the U.S. directly, but rather through another country like Germany. Such simple things as choice in banking services and postal logistics are much more difficult on the other side of the world. That may seem shallow to you, but as a direct personal experience it gets me thinking about all the other reasons I can be thankful.