Thursday, November 27, 2008

Roasting Hot Dogs for Thanksgiving

One thing I'm not thankful for is the saying "to kill two birds with one stone." Why do we still say that? It's not nice at all, which is why I'm starting a new and improved saying. It's more humane and definitely more delicious. Roasting two hot dogs on one stick.

For my Thanksgiving post I'm going to roast a few hot dogs on one stick by turning my answer to Pam's question into a Thanksgiving post. Her question was: What would you miss the most about Poland when you come back to the states? by phrasing it in a "What I love about Poland" or more specifically to the holiday "What I'm thankful for about Poland." These are all things I will miss about this wonderful country when/if we ever leave it.

* I am thankful to be surrounded by a country that has such a rich, deeply rooted history of tragedy, bravery, patriotism and endurance.

*I am thankful for castle ruins. I love castle ruins and they abound in Poland.

*I am thankful to be surrounded by people whose culture remains a bit of a mystery to me and to see their acceptance of me and for the opportunity I have to learn to accept and love them and their ways.

*I am thankful that my children share this culture which I do not and can teach me about it in our home.

*I am thankful for the driver language on the tight, two lane highways that are still the the only travel option in most parts of the country. If a driver headed toward you flashes his headlights he is warning you that there is a police "speed trap" coming up. If a diesel is in front of you and you want to pass but it's hard to see ahead of you, they might signal right, indicating that the way is clear and you can pass them on the left. But this is MY FAVORITE: If a car passes you and you move slightly to the right, or slow down a little or do anything to make the passing easier for them, once they are in front of you they will turn their hazard lights on for a second by way of "thank you." For example, you would flash your hazard lights after passing a truck who had signaled right to let you know that it was safe to pass him. This is like the friendliest little gesture and I love it.

*I am thankful for the lovely forests that are found all over Poland. And I am thankful that you can pull into the forest at any time as you drive across the country and go for a walk, as there are paths through nearly all the forests and there is no such thing as trespassing.

*I am thankful for a more basic way of life. That extravagance is not an issue and people worry less about keeping up with the Joneses (Kowalskis).

*I am thankful that I never hear about the latest fad in food until I visit America and then come blissfully back home and never hear another word about "carbs" or "trans-fats" again.

*I am thankful that my husband can live in the country he loves and that he takes every opportunity to help this country improve in all ways.

Oh, there are lots more, but there are also rolls to be baked and green beans to be cooked and not mixed with cream of mushroom soup.

I am seriously so blessed. Just kidding, I'm away from it all, but I am very blessed with a wonderful family, home, faith, and wanna know something? You're a blessing to me, too! And I'm thankful for you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

20 comments:

Kazzy said...

I appreciate the love you feel for Poland. I think it would be really cool to live in a country that is home to your spouse.

Nice road manners... wow! And the forests. Very real imagery. Thanks!

And I am thankful for new friends that write things that make me think! Have a great day!

Shauna said...

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you have a blessed and beautiful day :) ♥ Hugs!

Erin said...

Oh, that was really nice. The forests sound beautiful! And I love considerate drivers!

Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

McFarland Family said...

Visiting over from Jen's Jingle. I didn't know you were in Poland. My father-in-law lives over there- with his Polish wife. Anyway, small world.

Erin said...

Glad you don't have to keep up with the Kowalski's. That was so funny! Wish I could be seeing you soon too. Nathan is giving a talk in Budapest today for Thanksgiving.

Melissa said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! I'm cooking my turkey upside down so the breasts will be continually basted in their own juices. We're having guests over. I sure hope it works.

Becky said...

Hooray for nice drivers!

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving day.

Heidi said...

What a generous and loving attitude! It would be so hard for me to live so far from home--I know it can't always be easy for you as much as you love it. I'm adding Poland to my list of must-sees before I die (though I might have to do the world traveling, er, after).

MelancholySmile said...

It sounds nice to live without word of 'carbs' all over the place. Especially this time of year. :) And those driving manners? Lovely! Happy Thanksgiving!

Melissa said...

Lisa, thank you for correcting my "WWF" error in my latest post. I also knew the correct abbreviation, but in my attempts to be witty, accuracy went out the window.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Sounds lovely. =) Happy Thanksgiving!

The Sibert Family said...

So...wait...are you guys going back to the states? I am confused. Anyways that happens a lot with me though.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Melanie Jacobson said...

Oh....forests! I miss them!

Alison Wonderland said...

I love the driving stuff. Your life is so amazing to me. I'll bet it's not a whole lot like you envisioned growing up, but just so cool.

Randi said...

I love that hazard light thing! I may try to start the trend here!

Anne said...

I LOVE your happy thanksgiving sign!!!! I wish the USA had cool road manners like that!

Lesley said...

The forests and driver language sound really neat! As well as not having to keep up with the Joneses!

Mrs4444 said...

I feel a little dumb asking this, but what exactly is your husband's mission there? Is his job part of that mission?

I'm glad you are near your husband's family, at least. As for living there or here, you just have to decide whether or not either decision would leave you with regrets, and then decide from there. Only you know what's best :)

Ben said...

I know I am way late on this one, but here you go. If I could move to Poland or another country and properly make a living that would support Jackie, I would do it. I'm sick of the US, sick of the dumb selfish decisions, sick of the corruption, sick of the "must-have" attitude. There is little humility in large cities like LA. And I get so caught up in it!

Kinga said...

Hi, this is Kinga and I am from Poland and I live in Utah.
I miss Poland and polish food and the landscape. That was a fun post about my old country.
thanks
Kinga