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Love the article, Mari. Particularly the advice to 'turn away from politics and toward one another'.

My in-laws are visiting for the holiday. They are on the opposite side of the political spectrum from us. We've decided on a strict 'no politics' rule. Instead, we're going to try to hash out which is the one, true religion... I'm joking. We're going to eat, watch the dog show and play games.

Still, maybe I'll see if I can interest anyone in the topic: 'what fictional religion do you wish were a real thing?' I think the 'Church of All Worlds' from Stranger in a Strange Land would be neat, if it were effective. I'd also like to hear more about Fenchurch's revelation from the beginning of 'Hitchhiker's Guide'.

Enjoy your holiday,

-Gent

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The dog show! I forgot about the dog show, which is also an excellent distraction from politics!

I think your proposed topic about fictional religions sounds fun and interesting. Stop back and let us know how the conversation goes! And happy Thanksgiving!

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During one Thanksgiving I visited more distant family and they insisted we all play cornhole. I have to say, I think it's the perfect Thanksgiving sport - requiring the bare minimum of athleticism (perfect for slow-dawning food comas) and giving player and spectator alike a rectangle off in the distance to stare at (which is what makes watching football such a great tradition).

And how dare your son insult the glorious spinosaurus! >:( He's a big barracuda with legs, what's not to like!?

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Cornhole is an excellent family Thanksgiving activity! As for Spinosaurus, I will have to defer to my son. Personally, I have never understood his beef with Spinosaurus. 😂

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Retired English teacher here with too much time on my hands: "My friends and I serving good old American chili for International Day." Would you say "[This is] I serving good old . . . ." No, you would not. When in doubt about me or I, just look at the sentence and take away the other part of the "and" phrase, and all will be clear.

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Fellow English teacher here! I probably should have included a verb: My friends and I ARE serving . . .

Incidentally, because in English it is so normal to say “it’s me” (or, if you’re Mario, “it’s-a me!”), and because “it is I,” while correct, is really weird and stilted, I have to remind myself when speaking German that “es ist ich” is correct and normal, and “es ist mich” is a mistake.

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