In the thick of a gray morning just days ago, fat snowflakes began to fall on the city, dusting the bricks like powdered sugar and swirling in the air like confetti.
Office workers ran to their windows.
People hurrying along on the sidewalk stopped in their tracks.
And moments later, as suddenly as it appeared, the life-sized snow globe settled. Workers turned back to their desks and city streets were just streets.
A holiday weekend is just like that. You've got to make sure to look for the magic. If not, while you're scrubbing a roasting pan, pushing in line for half-off toys or cursing the airport, you'll miss it.
The sparkle might be especially hard to notice this year, with money tight for so many.
But if the pilgrims could kick off an American tradition, inspired by a little extra corn and surviving a rough winter, we can surely muster some enthusiasm for a four-day weekend.
The good stuff isn't expensive anyway.
It's the scent of nutmeg and cinnamon curling through your home.
It's cuddling up with the family to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade.
It's digging deep in the basement to excavate the old family photos.
It's bundling up and taking a long walk in the crunchy leaves. This is great with the family, but maybe even greater alone.
It's watching the marshmallow melt in a steaming mug of cocoa.
Some folks in the area take advantage of the holiday time to pay homage to their American roots with a trip to one of the Smithsonian museums in Washington. Because a lot of people don't know the Smithsonian properties are open today, there's a chance at snagging a fabulous parking spot on the Mall - holiday magic in itself.
While some wrestle over deals at the stores this weekend, others will pile into the car in search of a holiday tree. And even if Christmas isn't your holiday, who can't appreciate the delightfully gauche excess that is Hampden's 34th Street?
Another way to get your Pilgrim on before the weekend closes is to do Thanksgiving like they did and actually celebrate the harvest. Browse the bounty at the Sunday morning farmers' market under the JFX. Think ingredients for turkey soup, turkey stew, turkey pasta ...
In the spirit of the season, it could also be a good time to think of others, particularly those in need. After all, if it wasn't for the Indians giving the Pilgrims a hand, we probably wouldn't have a four-day weekend to worry about.
