Muskogee Phoenix Comics Thursday, November 26, 2020 DENNIS THE MENACE FAMILY CIRCUS PB Jeff and Celebrating Thanksgiving

Dear Readers: As Golden-tinted and fair as celebrate Thanksgiving, Dear thy own Pumpkin pie!” look into all of the beau- Annie As a reminder that tiful, life-changing ben- this day means more efits that gratitude can Annie than just the day itself, have for our health and Lane this 19th-century poem the health of the people harkens back to Thanks- and animals around us. giving memories of yore. When we practice might not be physically “No. 814” by Emily noticing the big things together, you can have Dickinson we’re grateful for, the fun reading these to each “One day is there of the small things, annoyances other. series / Termed “Thanks- and disappointments Known as “Over the giving Day” / Celebrated don’t overwhelm us so River and Through the part at table / Part in easily. We remember how Wood,” this poem from memory-” we are blessed to experi- 1844illustrates a snow- This 1918 poem of sur- ence every moment and filled New England viving through hardship don’t get caught in the Thanksgiving journey. In and still being thankful joy-sucking pettiness 1897, it was made into is very relevant in 2020. of life, which can make the familiar song. “Fire Dreams” by Carl everyone around us mis- “The New-England Sandburg Charles Schulz erable, too. Boy’s Song About “I remember here by Gratitude helps us to Thanksgiving Day” by the fire, / In the flicker- not sweat the small stuff Lydia Maria Child ing reds and saffrons, and to remember that “Over the river, and / They came in a ram- it’s all small stuff. through the wood, / To shackle tub, / Pilgrims Gratitude blesses you. grandfather’s house we in tall hats, / Pilgrims of It opens you so that go; / The horse knows iron jaws, / Drifting by more can come in. It the way, / To carry the weeks on beaten seas, / expands the vibrational sleigh, / Through the And the random chapters space around you. When white and drifted snow.” say / They were glad and you’re living in that ex- Know any pumpkin sang to God.” pansive space, more of pie lovers? They might And, finally, this 1921 everything will flow into enjoy this poem from verse is perfect to share your life. 1850. with children. PEARLS BEFORE SWINE And this year, due to “The Pumpkin” by “Thanksgiving Time” COVID-19 and other John Greenleaf Whittier by Langston Hughes circumstances, many “And the prayer, which “When the night winds families and friends will my mouth is too full to whistle through the trees be celebrating separate- express, / Swells my and blow the crisp brown ly. In the spirit of mer- heart that thy shadow leaves a-crackling down, riment and gratitude, may never be less, / That / When the autumn here are some classic the days of thy lot may be moon is big and yel- poems to celebrate the lengthened below, / And low-orange and round, holiday as curated by the fame of thy worth like / When old Jack Frost is poetry experts Bob Hol- a pumpkin-vine grow, / sparkling on the ground, man & Margery Snyder. And thy life be as sweet, / It’s Thanksgiving While your loved ones and its last sunset sky / Time!”

BLONDIE Dean Young & John Marshall NANCY Olivia Jaimes

FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE Lynn Johnston WALLACE THE BRAVE Will Henry

BIG NATE Lincoln Peirce BEETLE BAILEY Mort, Greg and Brian Walker

DILBERT GARFIELD Jim Davis

BORN LOSER Chip Sansom BABY BLUES Rick Kirkman & Jerry Scott

PICKLES Brian Crane ZITS Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman