And I was happy to see it, and yet also a little worried.
For years I've been calling for more Thanksgiving decorations. It's a great national holiday, intended for celebration by every American regardless of religion, background, or politics. And celebrate it we do, but decorate it? Nah, we still have our Halloween stuff up, or we're getting our Christmas stuff up, or we're just too busy raking leaves. Well, not this family -- giant light-up inflatable turkey to the rescue!
On the other hand, a turkey holding silverware, wearing a chef's hat and a bib calling us to dine, is concerning. At worst this giant bird is a cannibal, hoping to join in the consumption of his fellows. Or he may be what the Great Lileks calls a quisling mascot, hoping to direct you to eat his fellows in the hope of being spared. I dress like a human, see? I'm one of you!
I'm not sure that's going to help him if the balloon goes up and we spot a 300-pound source of white and dark meat.
It's a disturbing idea, and indeed one I snatched at in my novel Larry and the Mascots. When advertising mascots are brought to life, one of them -- a pork-promoting pig named Hamswell, in butcher's gear -- becomes deranged and murderous because of the horror of his dual nature. Naturally, the book is a comedy!
But I'm going to push aside my grim imaginings and see this lawn decoration for what it is -- a silly means to promote a serious holiday. We should celebrate with the gravity of gratitude and the lightness of hope. And then, let's eat! But don't stick a fork in this guy; he might explode.
2 comments:
At the end of the Peanuts Thanksgiving special, Snoopy and Woodstock share a turkey. More cannibalism
rbj13
When you see that scene, you say, Hey! Snoopy could cook after all and left Charlie Brown and Linus to look like morons by serving popcorn and candy? The next time you notice that Woodstock is eating a bird. Some birds eat other birds, but Woodstock is apparently some sort of canary and they don't.
Post a Comment