THURSDAY Americans gathered around our collective feast tables to give thanks for . . .well, I really don’t know that for which everyone gave thanks, but I’ll bet that a great many of us included the feast itself, as well we should, because an equal or greater number enjoyed many fewer calories for many days surrounding our annual celebration of cornucopia.

It is not our fault that we have been so richly blessed and anyway I am not going to launch anyone on a “guilt trip” because of our good fortune. Part of that circumstance is deserved by our hard work (nationally and historically speaking), part comes from unearned good luck, and, if you are so minded, by the Grace of Provence.

STILL, it is the time of talking right out loud about things for which we are thankful.

I am grateful for … air conditioning, for starters. I know it is fall and central heat might be a more timely candidate for my gratitude, and I don’t mean to slight that…but all things considered, air-conditioning comes first because I remember growing up when we did not have A/C in our house or in our car. If you are old enough to share that memory, you will understand my priority…

I AM grateful for the abundance and variety of foods available to me now, even items we once enjoyed only for a season because it is always that season somewhere in the world and modern transportation can bring me fresh blueberries in November and cranberries in July if I want them. Many of the foods I can have all I want of now, are not healthful for me. Still, I am grateful that I have Iived this long even if I can’t have anything fried anymore…

Let us give thanks that we are right in the middle of football season, half way between training camps in August and The Super Bowl early in February. We are sufficiently far along to know how the season is going even if uncertain about its outcome. Remember that long time last year when we had to make do with the World Cup and most of us wondered why they didn’t pass the ball instead of butting it with their heads?...

It is time to be thankful for all the folks just doing their jobs who make our lives enjoyable…and possible. I’ll start with our public service providers…it is easy to remember policemen and firefighters because of visibility in time of need but let’s not forget the folks who keep the water flowing— “in” for use and “out” for disposal and treatment, who keep the streets and highways repaired, and who provide all the other city services from the animal shelter to refuse collection. . .and how about the pharmacist who fills my prescriptions and always has a kind word about my radio commentaries.

PUT IT all together with all the stuff I have forgotten and this has to have been a good year despite the loss of a loved one and all the other worries, so crucial at the time and so trivial now.

But I’ll tell you this: if Dr. Ledet tells me my time is up, I’m going to a restaurant and order a chicken fried steak!

Archie P. McDonald is a professor of history and Community Liaison at Stephen F. Austin State University.