Thursday 24 November 2016

Thanksgiving 2016 with Human Beans ...




To those who celebrate have a very happy Thanksgiving, while to those of us who will be thinking of you, and to those others whom we almost certainly do not know …

The First Thanksgiving 1621 painted by
Jean Leon Gerome Ferris


 … let us all celebrate the great and wonderful Human Bean … be they magnolia, green, purple, brown, freckly, speckled, beige … a right mix of human beans …




… which come with lots of Vitamins … A, B6, C and K … let alone the rest of the special accoutrements beans share … 


So let those funny beans –

Many Bean varieties from Africa


Kidney
Navy
Black
Painted beans


    

Red Epicure Beans



 ... then all the others … remind us that we are all human: old, young, tall, tiny, big, fat, skinny … all human beans – all sharing this world.




As Aesop said: 

 “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

Or –

Better beans and bacon in peace, than cake and ale in fear.


Even Jelly Beans!


We share this planet with 7 billion others … we can live together in peace and companionship … we can share all we have …


… we can be friends, even in disagreement, we need to help ourselves so much … especially at this time.




Royal Burgundy Beans

These magical vegetable beans originated from Peru … spread via South and Central America by migrating human bean Indian tribes …


… were introduced into Europe around the 16th C by Spanish human bean explorers returning from their voyages to the New World …


English Runner Beans
… and then spread further in Europe and around the world by Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and British human bean explorers …


I am sure you’ll be having some form of bean for Thanksgiving and many of us will have a bean or two in the coming winter or summer months …




So let’s be thankful … remember peace is important to all our communities - local, countrywide and global ... 



Happy Thanksgiving to all the world
let's spread the Human Bean word


Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

48 comments:

A Heron's View said...

Tb honest I have no idea what 'Thanksgiving' is all about unless it means treating everyone person in a country with the same respect. In which case if done every day there would be no need to have a special day.

Susan Scott said...

The humble bean - such a source of goodness. Thank you Hilary. Here in SA there's a little box on the shelves of shops of 3 Beans in a lovely sauce. An attractive and delicious addition to the table at any time. Packs a punch! Or in rice - or pasta - but don't let me get carried away - bean soup. And of course there's Mr. Bean :)

Your message is lovely thank you - for us all of all stripes shapes and sizes - we can share this planet we live on, treat it with respect, gratitude and kindness - and flower towards peace.

Anabel Marsh said...

Words of wisdom! (And the beans are good too. I'm partial to most types of bean.)

Out on the prairie said...

Many forget what we should be thankful for, the meal is to only elaborate on the moment.

Gattina said...

Lol ! I read the word "Beans" for the first time on a cat blog where the cat talks about his "human beans" At that time I didn't understand and asked and I was told that it stems from human beings !

quietspirit said...

Hilary: Back when I was in the third grade, my teacher told us that Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what we have, even if all you have to eat is peanut butter sandwiches. Most people here in the central part of USA still do turkeys. A dear friend of mine is fixing both turkey and ham. (She has a large family. We will have our dinner on Saturday. Our son lives 100 miles away and he has to work on Friday. We decided to have our dinner on Saturday because I couldn't see him being here for just a couple of hours.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Mel - Thanksgiving started as a Harvest Festival ... after the Pilgrim Fathers had their first harvest in 1621. However I totally agree with the rest of your comment - but I'd miss the traditions and customs ... we just need to care for all ...

@ Susan - glad you enjoyed my beans ... came about from a South African Bernadino ... known as "Beans" ... I found a card one year for him with lots of beans on ... so appropriate ... then though this could be updated with a slightly different message for Thanksgiving. Then Mr Bean would make us laugh ...

I love beans ... and I think we have a similar pack of beans here ... very delicious as you mention. Beans in various foods - such a great addition, apart from being so nutritious ... chilli con carne sounds good now?!

Delighted you enjoyed the beany message - seemed a different way of approaching Thanksgiving ... stripes and all ...

@ Anabel - many thanks ... and yes beans be good ...

@ Steve - sadly many do forget why and what we are celebrating or commemorating ... we need to remember mother nature and protect and nurture her in all her forms ... so true ...

@ Gattina - ah well I'm glad you didn't have to ask me! It's a fun usage at times ... and today seemed a good idea ...

@ Cecelia - good to see you ... and our Christmas time is similar with all the festivities - it can get over the top ... I'm glad you'll be having your Thanksgiving Dinner when your son can join you .. and it'll be lovely to have him home with you ...

Cheers to you all - today is a day of thanks for all the humble things of life we have readily available and can access should we need ... be at peace, speak kindly to others, be generous with your time and love ... all the best to one and all - Hilary

TexWisGirl said...

bless you, hilary. and thank you for your friendship and sense of humor. be well and happy.

Theresa Milstein said...

I love the message here. Those Royal Burgundy beans are so pretty. This is truly a divisive time. I have to hope we go up from here. I'm wary. But I'm hopeful. xo

beste barki said...

I loved the 'human bean' idea. Being one who loves and needs other human beans is the beginning to giving thanks.

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

Really good post, Hilary. Nicely said. Who needs all those has-beans anyway? I see it all now - the bean as a symbol of Peace - the wind of change is coming!

Rhodesia said...

Another interesting post, much of what is new to me. Thanks giving is something which is a bit lost on me as I had never heard of it until much later in life and I have never celebrated it anyway! Have a good weekend Diane

Liz A. said...

The outsides may be different, but the insides, pretty much the same.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Hilary!

I'd love to share some of my tins of kidney beans with the starving people in Aleppo and other war zones and famine-hit countries. How beautiful that would be. No Thanksgiving Day Down Under, but I'm thankful every day I live here...:-)

Sherry Ellis said...

I like the play on words: Human Beans. We are most certainly all in the same pot! Thank you for the warm Thanksgiving greeting.

H.R. Bennett said...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Nicola said...

What a lovely, uplifting post, Hilary. I adore your bean analogy and the message it conveys. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a lovely weekend!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Theresa – it’s been a pleasure being along your fences with you … I hope you don’t disappear from the blogging fray forever …

@ Theresa – thanks so much and yes those Royal Burgundy beans called to me. We are in a world that needs some bringing together – and not sparring or warring … and like you I’m hopeful …

@ Beste – I was so fond of the human bean in South Africa after whom this post was thought up … who was always caring and helping others …

@ Mike – many thanks … and yes who needs the has-beans. I’m glad the symbol of Peace came to mind ... oh dear I hope not too much wind!

@ Diane – Thanksgiving I think is lost on those of us who don’t celebrate it … but the early settlers adopted it ... and it's changed over the centuries ... but is a celebration of having their first harvest.

@ Liz – we are all the same aren’t we …

@ Denise – we have starving people here … but people in Aleppo must be in dire, dire straits – too terrible. We don’t do Thanksgiving, though some have adopted the practice here … most of us await Christmas …

@ Sherry – many thanks … I suddenly thought I could use the analogy …

@ Robert – good to see you …

@ Nicola – so glad you were uplifted and warmed by the post. It’s a fun thought for a very serious situation – let’s hope a multitude of human beans can rise to help all in whatever way is possible …

Thanks everyone – so good to see human beans rings bells with you! Cheers and have a very peaceful weekend … Hilary

Rhonda Albom said...

Thanks for the inspiring words.

Jo said...

I do miss the English runner bean. We get something similar now and again, but... Used to celebrate Thanksgiving in the States when we lived there, but now of course, it's Canadian Thanksgiving which is in October. If only we could all be happy beans together.

Joanne said...

this is one of the best Thanksgiving posts I've seen. Wonderful and oh so true. I admit I did not eat any beans yesterday - it was pretty much a turkey and carb load. But I enjoyed the company of family human beans and it's quite a variety. Now I head out for some Christmas shopping and shall appreciate the variety of beans I encounter. Thanks for this post. Big smile!

DMS said...

I love that there are such a wide variety of Human Beans. Keeps the world exciting and interesting. Even more fun to talk and get to know Human Beans that are different from us. Let's go out and be kind to all the Human Beans we encounter. Smiles, kindness, and spreading happiness is sure to make the world a better place.
~Jess

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Thank you, Hilary, for your lovely message. If all the world could be so kind and gentle in their thoughts and deeds, what a different place this planet would be!

Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting on my little feral cat, Fluffy Noir!

Truedessa said...

I watch Jack and the Giant Slayer today and you now what happened with those magic beans, it opened a portal to another realm. Well a "human bean" could grow in so many ways, reaching new heights with a nurturing heart.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Rhonda - good to see you ...

@ Jo - runner beans are a summer delight. I know different events are important elsewhere in the world ...

@ Joanne - many thanks ... it is slightly different - but beans I'm sure have as many varieties as there are the diaspora of human life. So good to read you enjoyed yourselves ... and heading out on Black Friday for some shopping - well enjoy! Glad you're smiling as you go ...

@ Jess - exactly ... Human Beans are so varied and so interesting to talk to and to understand them ... and I hope we can all be generous in our thoughts and deeds to all 'beans' at all times ...

@ Monti - I do hope we can all do as you say ... so glad my post resonated. I was sorry to read about Fluffy Noir ...

@ Truedessa - yes I remember the portal to another realm - it would be good if all "human beans" could readjust and reach new heights with a nurturing heart - how good that would be ...

Cheers to you all - let's be extra kind weekend ... remembering all our fellow men ... take care and have peaceful thoughts - Hilary

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

What a great analogy, Hillary. Comparing beans to humans is a perfect way of illustrating our differences, our uniquenesses, and also our similarities. I love beans. I have to confess I don't love all humans. I love their souls though.

Nas said...

Awesome words of wisdom all through out. Thanks Hilary.

Happy Thanksgiving.

(I love beans, lentils and pulses.)

Paula said...

A good reminder for all of us human beans (beings)!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Joylene - I'm glad everyone's liking the analogy - I know I feel the same way ... love beans, and most humans ... sometimes I despair of the human variety ... but let's hope ... .

@ Nas - many thanks ... reminding ourselves, keeps the good thoughts up front ... and I too love all pulses, but especially beans ...

@ Paula - yes and thanks it's a good way to remember our differences, yet our goodness ...

Cheers and have good weeks ... Hilary

Annalisa Crawford said...

I really don't know why some people won't accept we are all the same and equal in every way - it shouldn't be so difficult.

Julie Flanders said...

What a clever and also wise post. Love it. <3

Chrys Fey said...

"… we can be friends, even in disagreement, we need to help ourselves so much … especially at this time." I love that. So well said!

I've never seen burgundy beans before.

Christine Rains said...

What a wonderful post! Many years ago, there was a comic and toys called Human Beans. I remember doodling them on schoolwork! :)

Mark said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you too! :)

Karen Lange said...

Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes! Had a nice celebration with family and friends. Thanks also for the happy bean inspiration! You always make me smile. :) Have a lovely week! Enjoy your events!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

What a sweet way to spread a message. Beans have a lot of important nutrients and human beans need to act with more common sense and common decency.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

There is a LOT to be grateful for.
Love the Aesop quotes.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Annalisa - yes we are all equal in every way ... slightly different with different voices, but the same as everyone else ..

@ Julie - many thanks ... it was fun to write up ...

@ Chrys - thanks Chrys ... we just need to help ourselves and thus everyone else don't we ... as you agreed ... The burgundy beans go green as they are cooked, but are a wonderful colour and can be eaten raw ...

@ Christine - Oh how interesting about the comic and toys called Human Beans - hadn't heard of that ... and your doodles!

@ Mark - Thank you

@ Karen - so glad you had a happy time with family and friends ... I love the idea of the human beans ... just happy about you being happy reading this up!

@ Susan - good words you've used here to describe what we need to do .. act with more common sense and common decency ...

@ Lynda - there is a lot to be grateful for isn't there ... and that Aesop quote was perfect for this post and my thoughts ...

Cheers to you all - thank you ... Hilary

Keith's Ramblings said...

I feel a song coming on - 'I've bean everywhere man, I've bean everywhere' For me, the king of beans comes in a tin labeled Heinz!

Visit Keith's Ramblings

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Human beans - love it!

diedre Knight said...

Such a lovely post, Hilary! I can almost imagine what a colorful bag of beans we'd all make if we could just get along ;-) Those red beans look like they might be sweet, are they? "Better beans and bacon in peace..." I like that. Thanks for the pleasant thoughts!

cleemckenzie said...

Hail the almighty bean! There are so many varieties to choose from and each one has a flavor that is splendid. I'd never seen the Royal Burgundy Beans before, but I'm going to be on the hunt for seeds. Next year I'll see if I can grow some.

Thanks, Hilary!

Guilie Castillo said...

Hahahaha... It took me a while to get the bean/being play—very, very cool analogy here, Hilary. Gratitude is, I think, the key to happiness and fulfillment. These dark days it may be hard to keep our focus on the good stuff, but it's there, just waiting for us to notice. Your friendship is one thing I'm very grateful for :)

Thanks for stopping over at Quiet Laughter earlier. Loved your comment.

Nilanjana Bose said...

Cool analogy Hilary! :-) Both bean and being staples where I come from. I totally love beans, esp kidney beans which is called rajma in India and is a Sunday delicacy served with rice in the Punjab. So many of the foods I love originated in S America! - chocolates, beans, chilies, vanilla...

Living the gratitude and focusing on the positives is important to keep sane in a world gone mad, and coming to your blog is one way I get my weekly positive fix. Thank you for this post and your wider message of positivity - I cherish it truly.

Best always,
Nila.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Keith - oh yes ... well thought out ... "I've bean everywhere man" ... fascinating song - I see it's been adapted many times for different countries/areas - with the different places each singer included into his song. I didn't mention the Heinz bean .. purposely ...but they are hugely popular ... and even I indulge sometimes!

@ Diane - thank you

@ Diedre - I think we could all get along easily enough ... it'd just be lovely if all of the world's people could. The Red Epicurean bean is described as having a magnificently old fashioned broad bean flavour ... but fresh beans are usually sweeter than if they've been hanging around before cooking ... but I love broad beans!

The Aesop quotes are credited to him ... but the cake and ale ... not so sure ... still I'm happy with my beans!

@ Lee - oh yes the almighty bean, or being ... I hope you can find some Burgundy Bean seeds ... and then let us know how they fruit up ... My uncle and aunt used to grow them ...

@ Guilie - oh well I'm glad your head came straight up for the bean/being play - it's a fun analogy. Gratitude is so important ... and just being positive, however we're feeling ... thanks so much for the comment - it's great you're back in the blogging world ...

@ Nila - thank you ... I've never quite got to grips with beans and rice at the same meal - except here with buffet salads ... but I'd love to try a Sunday delicacy someday in the Punjab.

It's interesting the South American connection isn't it .. chocolates, beans, chillies, vanilla et al .. add to those the potato and tomato for us ...

As we all seem to pick up - living with gratitude and focusing on the positives makes for an easier life: for us and for others ... delighted this is your positive fix page - thank you!!

So grateful to you all for visiting ... and congratulations on succeeding with the end of NaNo 2016 - have a good week ahead ... cheers Hilary

Lynn said...

I'm thankful for nice bloggers like you, Hilary! Love the beans!

Juliet said...

I love the red beans - I've never seen them before.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Lynn - many thanks ... really appreciate your sentiment there ... we're in a really wonderful group ...

@ Juliet - the red beans are pretty amazing aren't they ... but turn green when cooked up ... still ... fun to see ...

Cheers to you both - Hilary