On Thanksgiving Day it’s appropriate that my door collection is from historic sections of the East Coast – just down the coast from where the Pilgrims landed in what is today Massachusetts. I found the neatest doors in Annapolis and in Baltimore last week! Thank you, Norm, for giving me this platform to show them off! If you want to join the fun, post your Thursday doors at Norm’s page.
There is something about the feel of these old eastern towns that I am drawn to. I am not sure that I can describe it, but I recognize it when I see it. On my recent trip to Maryland I found doors that were extra special because they had that feeling.
I’ll add a note in honor of today’s holiday.
Among American Indians, Thanksgiving Day can bring up inner conflicts. I was raised (long, long ago….ha ha) in a climate where no one talked about Thanksgiving holiday in the context of accurate history. Instead, it was all about pilgrims and Indians getting along, and being thankful for things, and getting together with family.
And yeah… it’s still all that. But thank the gods Americans are now talking about the rest of the story. No, not all whites and reds got along, and they still don’t. No, that mythical first thanksgiving meal was not a joyous expression of love for fellow human beings, but more like desperate people doing what they could to stay alive. Those Indians are my ancestors, and sometimes I bitterly grumble to myself that the Wampanoag tribe saved the Plymouth colonists by sharing their food and teaching them local husbandry, and as a thank you, got despised, or killed, or diseased, and anyone left 200 years later was marched off on the Trail of Tears. But it’s disingenuous to ignore the good stuff. The rest of the story also includes the fact that our country is the landing site for pilgrims from around the world, who built a beautiful country to be proud of, and those pale-skinned people are also my ancestors.
The source of the conflict of Thanksgiving Day for me is that those whites created a system that I am now benefiting from, while simultaneously suffering the consequences of.
I am fortunate to have thrived in our school system, I fought in our military, I was a public servant for our government, I have government health care, and I am retired on taxpayer dollars. The white system is protecting me right now. At the same time, I was raised out of generations of hidden disadvantage, from people who carried ancient anger, ignorance, and hegemonic oppression – so ancient that the people who raised me didn’t even know all this was inside of them and didn’t even know where it came from. I struggled like mad to succeed in a complex system designed to keep poor, uneducated, descendants of Indians down. As a country, we are doing a better job at trying to recognize the present-day consequences of all the suffering of enslaved people. But we are barely barely scratching the surface of recognizing this same generational suffering among indigenous American families.
No wonder we feel conflicted on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving is not a bad holiday. In my recollection of my childhood education, the aim of this holiday has been pure, and the lessons have applied to everyone: Be Thankful, Eat Together, Recognize the Greater Good Despite Our Differences. I think there is room for Thanksgiving Day to be a good holiday for everyone while we truthfully acknowledge the whole story. I’m not there yet. I don’t feel it. I’m confused and angry still, that I had to learn the awful truth about my country and this holiday so much later in my life. But I have faith that in time my country can grow into a better nation, a nation strong enough to speak the truth, apologize, respect and value each other, and stand proud together.
And eat together. Because until we learn to get along, that’s one thing we’ve got. Let’s eat!
Conscious Engagement 
The outer door to the saloon is awesome as are the few corner doors you found…yay!
I get the mixed feelings about the historical significance of this holiday in the U.S. To a certain extent we have the same mixed feelings, for the same reasons, here. All the same I hope you’re able see it as a time to pause and reflect upon and give thanks for all of the good in life.
Cheers and thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for your comment, Norm. I’m glad you liked the corner doors I found. I always thought that Canada did a better job of relations with indigenous people. I guess occupying someone’s land is never going to go smoothly. But in answer to your question, yes, taking time to think of what I’m thankful for is the main thing I associate with Thanksgiving, and most Americans that I know do the same thing: focus on what we’re thankful for. That’s a very good outcome of a holiday.
A great set of doors – the last one so well photographed in particular. An important historical note of honour.
I’m glad you liked the reversed arches, because I have more photos of them, and I’ll post soon.
I love that red door and also that 162 door.
Teresa
I’m so glad the red one caught your eye. I think it may be my favourite here. It has so much: the stained glass, the odd construction of steps (a pile of marble bricks), the decorative tile on the steps, the vine, the pottery sign…. it’s wonderful. Also, such a bold red. 🙂
The 162 is the entrance to a church – I think in Annapolis. I was trying to decide whether to photograph the whole church, but right then the light came up and illuminated the door, under leafy branches. This one has a tiny stained glass window too. I’m glad you like it. 🙂
Thanks for the explanation, Crystal. Stained glass gives more character to any door. Have a good weekend.
Mmmmm, I’ve devoured these doors alright. Just marvellous! And I wouldn’t mind eat with you every day something from a different ethnic cuisine. Buon appetito!
You are lucky enough to choose from delicious, authentic Italian cuisine every day, which would make me want to skip the other ethnic choices for awhile. But Italy must have people from every direction, due to its location, and I’ll bet the food choices are amazing.
Well, we don’t eat out much at all. Amore likes to cook too much. 😉
Lovely pics! Since I love in Baltimore I can definitely appreciate these! Thank you!
Thank you for stopping by! If you wanted to see more Baltimore photos, I have a few more here https://crystaltrulove.com/2019/12/09/baltimore-shiver/ I have only seen a little bit of Baltimore in the past, but on this trip I was especially drawn to the city. I can’t explain it, but it felt so real and full of character. I think I would be happy to live there.
I am being a country girl cannot imagine living in any inner city. I need space! We have quiet a few customer though who live around the Harbor and the Fells Point area. We love to go down there on weekends early and have some hot chocolate and a few bites at Pitango then take a walk around at the edge of the water with our dog. An hour at a time for me….
I just read the Baltimore shiver and was surprised that one of the colored houses you took a picture of is owned by one of our most beloved customer! I will show her this post. She’ll love it!
What a neat surprise! I hope she likes seeing her home in my post. Thanks for letting me know about your discovery.
I think she I going to be delighted! I’ll let you know about her reaction.