Thanksgiving Decor (Using a Cast of Characters) Part One

In my last post here on HT (@ http://www.hometalk.com/diy/conclusion-of-follow-up-halloween-decor-part-4-of-4-2448255), I concluded a series of entries re the antics of my visiting Halloween characters with the hope that my images and stories provided inspiration for decor in HT readers' succulent gardens and throughout their homes.

Moreover, I ended my last segment of this by saying,"but I'll be back soon as ANOTHER cast of characters is waiting to be heard for the next round of holidays!"

And in the USA, that next round of holidays is Thanksgiving, but you MIGHT not know it by looking at retail stores where, in many cases, Christmas decor dominates the merchandise and, in a few cases, Christmas music is already being played!

One store in my hood, Gracious Home (GH), was playing Christmas carols BEFORE Halloween! When the Halloween characters which were visiting me heard about this situation at GH, they felt pressured to leave as soon as Halloween ended!
And so most of them are gone for the season, except for the Candy Corn Twins and Ms. Cob. They can be seen in picture one of today's entry. And you might recognize them because they were featured in part three (follow-up) of my Halloween decor series @ http://www.hometalk.com/diy/craft/holiday-crafts/group-c-wins-3rd-coin-toss-follow-up-halloween-decor-part-3-of-4-2442456).

Because folks eat candy corn and husks of corn at Thanksgiving, these characters thought they'd stick around and mingle with the Thanksgiving characters, and Mr. Moon-In-The-Man (who has also stayed on and can be seen in image two) is thrilled to have their support. And he is pleased that the resident musician (picture three) in my succulent garden has agreed to play his bass during this time. It was a bit hard to convince him to stay, for he too is feeling pressured by the playing of Christmas music so early in the season!

BUT, a surprise visitor, an "official" cardinal (who can be seen with the bass player in image three and by himself in image four) has come to join the characters in the succulent garden. The cardinal knows all about the commercializing of Christmas and rushing the season so he is visiting to help my characters and me keep a perspective and enjoy the fruits of Thanksgiving: giving thanks.

All the aforementioned characters are eagerly awaiting the Thanksgiving brood that spends time here every year (see story http://www.thelastleafgardener.com/2011/11/light-thickens-and-crow.html as well as @ http://thelastleafgardener.tumblr.com/post/35907409353/thanksgiving-is-less-than-a-week-away-and-my ).

And the cardinal is not my only new guest; two others (Harry the Hedgehog and Claudia the crow) have arrived and they can be seen in image five as well as six. Both of them have visited my succulent garden for the Thanksgiving season in bygone years.
Claudia has a special agenda this year and that is to be the spokes-crow for all her kind re the American idiom, "eat crow," which I mentioned this past week on TLLG's FB Page @ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=572897439426300&set=pb.247917655257615.-2207520000.1384139302.&type=3&theater ).

The hedgehog, as I mentioned on FB, wants to give Claudia moral support. Details of each of them can be seen in images seven through nine).

All the aforementioned characters* will be sure to give the Thanksgiving brood a warm welcome and they, along with yours truly, hope you'll tune in again when I post their stories!

[* Readers have asked where they can get characters like these: Info available via More and More Antiques. 212-580-8404]