Thanksgiving edition reveals so much gratitude in so little space

Please, please tell me you didn’t forget the cranberry sauce.

OK:Good.Anyhoo:Happy Thanksgiving!A day full of food, family, football, petty arguments and relatives who just won#146;t leave.But most importantly, it#146;s a day of giving thanks.And ...:Despite a week of glum news, from the Bears#146; ugly loss to the Rams to the loss of D-Rose for the season to the loss of Brian Griffin #151; maybe forever #151; there are still plenty of things to be thankful for.First and foremost among them:Verne Lundquist.Seriously, is there anything better than Verne on the call of a late-afternoon SEC game?But seriously:As good as Verne is, what makes this day the best is having the opportunity to share it with family and friends #151; or friends who are like family. Or, if you#146;re lucky, both.Question:Wouldn#146;t it be great to have more days dedicated solely to that principle?Answer:Absolutely!Just not too many, though, because honestly we#146;d start getting sick of each other real quick. The dilemma:Who #146;ya rooting for in the early game today?Tough call, huh?Gotta go with the Lions, right?In the spirit of the season:Things I#146;m thankful for:ŸThat we have at least one sports franchise in Chicago that isn#146;t currently #151; or soon to be #151; in a state of flux/disarray. Thank you, Blackhawks.ŸCorn #151; the all-time overlooked Thanksgiving side dish.ŸThe fact that we probably have only a month or so left of those relentless Michael Bolton commercials.BTW:Are those supposed to be funny or serious?Amaizing trivia:Speaking of corn, did you know that Demeter is the Greek Goddess of Corn?OK, make that borderline amaizing trivia.More to be thankful for:ŸJordan Lynch and Jimmy Garoppolo.ŸThe chance to witness the career of Paul Konerko.ŸThose green guys at Vancouver Canucks games #151; I shouldn#146;t like #146;em, but I do.A quick 180:Couple of things I#146;m not thankful for:ŸAny attempt to sully Thanksgiving by calling it Brown Thursday.ŸThe fact that it looks like the Cubs aren#146;t bringing back the one player I truly enjoyed watching last season #151; Dioner Navarro.UghCooperstown, hello:I don#146;t have a vote for the Hall of Fame, but if I did, I think it#146;s pretty obvious who should represent this year#146;s class: Mike Timlin, Jacque Jones and Hideo Nomo.Pretty much a no-brainer.Question:Can you imagine how good a job John McDonough would do running this state?Giving more thanks:ŸFor the way Chicago fans travel. Amazing.ŸFor the options in sports we have this weekend even when the Bulls, Bears and Hawks are away.Wolves, Hawthorne ... anyone?ŸFor the return of Marian Hossa to the lineup and the good health of his family. TV tip:If you#146;re watching the parade this morning, keep in mind that my huge floating head will appear right after the Goofy float and just before Diane Lane#146;s musical tribute to #147;August: Osage County.#148;What? Gives you chills:Isn#146;t it amazing how so many individuals, companies and sports teams have risen to the challenge of helping our downstate neighbors in need?Answer:Yes it is.Happy Thanksgiving!