With T-Day coming on Thursday, have you noticed that your family Thanksgiving celebration has changed somewhat from what you had at your parents house? Turkey prepared differently, or not at all? New side dishes on the annual menu? How about the location?

Personally, I find that sweet potatoes have banished regular mashed potatoes to Thanksgivings gone by; stuffing/dressing has more sausage in it, and Pillsbury crescent rolls haven't been around in the last dozen years, replaced by soft sweet butter rolls and occasionally a foccacia topped with rosemary and cheese.

Ponder that while we remember the words of Benjamin Franklin letter to his daughter in 1784, expressing his dislike for the choice of the national bird.

The eagle is a bird of bad moral character. He watches the labor of the fishing hawk, and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to his nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him, and takes it from him.

Of the native born turkey . . .

He is besides, a little vain and silly a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards who should presume to invade his farm yard with a red coat on.