Thursday, November 27, 2014

Did Twain Steal Thanksgiving?

Mark Twain's 70th Birthday party * November 30, 1905

Let me start by saying "How the heck have y'all been?"  I know it's been quite some time since I've been on the writing end of blogging, but, don't think I haven't kept up with my blogmates comings and goings.  I've had a lot going on lately, and seem to need more rest.  But, I'm still here, and I appreciate your friendships more than I can say.  I am behind on some of  your posts, but, I will get to them soon!   

 I couldn't let November just fly by without saying a few words about the weather, and the price of gas, lol!  Gas has gone down quite a bit, hasn't it?  We've had a few days recently, of drizzle and rain...oh, I see Florida has gotten some rain too!  

Soooo...Mark Twain, eh?  He has a birthday coming up, and I was just doing my usual nosing around and found the above photo of him at his 70th Birthday party.  This party was held at Delmonico's restaurant in New York!  Twain was to make a speech that night, and a particular Colonel George Harvey (who was actually Mark Twain's editor) didn't want to miss the event.  It seems that the birthday party was to take place on the same day as Thanksgiving, and Harvey believed that Twain's birthday affair should take precedence over the annual Thanksgiving holiday.  Can you believe the Colonel actually went to the United States President to ask that the holiday be changed to another day, or postponed for another year?  Colonel Harvey's rationale for this request was that nothing significant had occurred during the previous year, and Thanksgiving is just a habit designed to advertise for something to be thankful for-imagine that!

Well, I really have no idea what transpired from this meeting, except Thanksgiving hasn't changed any, and I have no idea whether or not the Colonel got to attend Mark Twain's birthday party!

***

What a lavish menu for this party.  I did find a copy of the menu for this occasion, which, of course is quite antiquated-I'll put it up here for you to see...

* So...what do you think?  What a fun looking menu!

Here is a list of the courses on the menu-they are very interesting!
Oysters-Consommè Souveraine, Green Turtle
note:  the author questions 'green turtle'-he presumes it is soup,
either of green turtles, or just green in color!
* Then we have Saddle of Lamb Colbert, Stuffed Tomatoes, Baltimore Terrapin,
* Quail, Red Head Duck, Fried Hominy and Currant Jelly
* Whew! Timbales Perigourdine, Filets of Kingfish Meunière, Cucumbers
* Salad: Celery Mayonnaise, Fancy ice Cream and assorted Cakes, Bonbons, Coffee
Served with Sherry, Sauterne, Champagne, Mineral Water, and Liqueurs.

Well, it is my understanding that Twain delivered one heck of a speech that night, of his 70th Birthday.  I have listened to just a bit of it as narrated by none other than Val Kilmer!  You can find that speech on www.literarymanhattan.org  Val does a good job!

***

And, did you know there is actually a Mark Twain Prize for American Humor?  I guess it's to recognize artists who have made significant contributions to American comedy.  It was created in 1998 by the Kennedy Center.  Just a few of the recipients include:  Carol Burnett, Ellen DeGeneres, George Carlin, Lily Tomlin, Richard Pryor, Bob Newhart, and Richard Pryor.  This year's recipient of the award goes to Jay Leno-congratulations Jay for your contributions to fun entertainment!

Having said all of that, I guess it's time to wish my old buddy Mark Twain
a Happy Birthday post Thanksgiving!

~Mark Twain * November 30, 1835 - April 21, 1910
"Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like,
and let the food fight it out inside."
~Twain

*** Let me say this...I hope all of my gracious readers are having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday thus far.  Thank you for your friendships and I hope we can stay in touch for many more years!  Please stop and say 'Hello' if you can.  I'm so glad I found such a great picture of Mark Twain, aren't you?  Please be safe, and laugh often!

***

Oh, by the way...our little Scooter got to spend a few days with us earlier in the month, and, we had some Thanksgiving fun...that little Turkey!


* photo by Suzanne * November 15, 2014

Thanks going out to:
yahoo
wikipedia
www.newyorker.com
www.literarymanhattan.org
Thank you Mark Twain


*See You!