National Scrabble Week

In 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of Thanksgiving. He said, "I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens (qtd. in wikipedia)." On the fourth Thursday in November, Americans all over the world remember life's blessings while feasting on turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie. And sometimes they (I) reenact the original Thanksgiving at Plymouth using brown paper lunch bag puppets.

In 2005, the Association of British Scrabble Players declared a National Scrabble Week during 19 November-27 November. Scrabble clubs all over the country are raising the profile of Scrabble, encouraging club membership, and attracting media attention. This Thursday, Thanksgiving to Americans, the Scottish Parliament will host a Scrabble Night. The festivities will include tips from Edinburgh Scrabble Club Champions and lots of games of Scrabble.

All of the celebration creates a huge dilemma for thankful, Scrabble-loving Americans living in Edinburgh this Thanksgiving. Feasting or Scrabble?