Grateful

Good morning, Texas Woman’s,

I awoke this morning grateful for this #campuswithaheart community! I hope this message finds you all well!!

In the past, Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday of mine because the focus has been on the gathering of family, friends and loved-ones—and maybe a neighbor or two who might be spending the day alone. A singular beauty of the day is that the expectations and obligations are pretty much limited to the proverbial preparation of the turkey and baking of the pecan and pumpkin pies!

Needless to say, this Thanksgiving will be different with new experiences. Despite all the challenges, I know human ingenuity will prevail and that we will still make meaning of the day. And being thankful for the good things in our lives will still be possible. Indeed, it will be fascinating to hear of the many experiences that helped you get as close as possible to the traditions of the past.

But, that said, I have this nagging question in my mind: Who is going to bake the pumpkin pie?

Being a linguist and knowing how Texans love their pecans, and pecan pie, some years back in this message, I asked about the pronunciation of the word “pecan.” Is it “PICK-ann”, or “peeKAHN,” (Maybe that depends on whether you are from north or south Texas?), or “peeCAN,” as they say in the east.

With all the attention on turkey and dressing—and all the fixin’s, as they say—that leaves the lonely pumpkin pie for discussion, and with this year’s challenges, who is going to prepare it? For me, Thanksgiving just would not be the same without a slice of pumpkin pie.

Which made me wonder; why is pumpkin pie such a prominent part of the Thanksgiving tradition? Well, sadly, this is one of the few things that Texas cannot claim as a first. According to culinary historians, in the east during the early part of the 18th century, the pumpkin pie became part of Thanksgiving dinner and by the mid-1800’s was a staple at the Thanksgiving table everywhere.

My wish for everyone is that you find time to be thankful for the many blessings that still remain in our lives—and are successful in getting that slice of pumpkin pie!

Be well and be safe,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

^{Barbara Rogers, president of the TWU Alumni Association, sent me the photo of the sunrise behind the Denton campus from this morning.}

Page last updated 9:39 AM, December 1, 2020