Hello everyone!
How was your Thanksgiving, US folks? Mine was incredibly stressful, thank you. Oh, it’s all stuff I won’t discuss on the internet…you know. Suffice it to say that I hope yours went a lot more smoothly than mine.
In one way, though, my Thanksgiving was awesome.
Here’s what happened: The first day we were at the in-laws, Joe’s mom presented him with a handful of 4-5 inch tall comic book figurines. She had cleaned out something, somewhere, and despite Joe having no recollection of these items, Mrs. B was sure they were his. They were all posed for action: Wolverine, The Punisher (missing an arm), and Captain America.
I lifted Captain America to examine him. The stamp on the back read “1989,” which would have meant Joe bought these when he was at least 19 if they really were his…but they were his now, and within his power to redistribute as he saw fit.
“Can I have Cap?” I asked.
“Sure,” he said.
I had my phone with me, so I posed Cap next to the apple butter and snapped a quick picture of him to share with my online friends, with many of whom I had spent previous Thanksgivings and was currently missing like crazy. As soon as the shutter closed on Instagram, I had an idea. A brainstorm. An inspiration that would save my fragile soul from the impending wretched holiday.
Because…see…here’s the thing. Authors have this amazing superpower they often forget about: They have the ability to create entire worlds in which people can escape from their lives. And before that author is published and read by millions of people around the world, there’s only one person escaping from life in that world: The Author Herself.
I desperately needed an escape…and I had just found it. I would tell a story.
As soon as I woke up Thursday morning, I began snapping photos of Cap. This was the first one:
Cap — saving the world, and it’s not even 10am.
This went on — off and on — all day long, posting my triptych via my Instagram app (crossposting to Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook). . I used Cap as an excuse to get outside and go for a walk — it was chilly, but a gorgeous day everyone else was adamant about wasting inside. This resulted in my favorite pic, composition-wise:
Turkey needs another hour in the oven…Cap takes this opportunity to get festive.
After dinner, Joe and I left the house again…because we were awake, incredibly stuffed, and Joe’s Grandmother needed a television. Coincidentally, a few places were having sales! Now, Black Friday is not a tradition with us, but this time I was raring to go. And so was Cap.
CAP IS NOT LEAVING HERE WITHOUT A TELEVISION.
While standing in line, I had a chance to check in with the internet and see how well this was being received. There were a few “Likes” on Instagram and a few replies on Twitter. Tumblr didn’t really give a crap.
Facebook, however, had exploded with comments…and these comments went on for a couple of days. Turns out, Cap wasn’t just saving my Thanksgiving…he was saving a lot of other people’s as well. And as those were people I care about, it made the result all the sweeter.
When all was said and done, did the internet remember an American superhero experiencing the trials of American Thanksgiving? No. They remembered a guy who got onto a plane and tweeted a fight with a woman that degraded into passing notes with foul language and a slap at the gate. Even better, this scenario NEVER HAPPENED. Just yesterday, the guy admitted it was all fake.
My fun little story didn’t get retweeted by Joss Whedon or Stan Lee. Marvel wasn’t banging my door down with a picture book deal, and I wasn’t picked up by BoingBoing or io9. Instead, some rude ABC Producer’s fake tweets got attention in every major news outlet, because–literally–at the end of the day, the sensational scandal won out. It always has, and it always will. I have to say, I was disappointed in America that day. Cap was too.
But in my magical little corner of the world, I made my friends smile. That’s what started me on this strange career, and that’s why I’ll stay on this path for the rest of my life. I am a Jedi who will continue to put good things out into the world. I will fight for the Goody Two Shoes and the Mary Sues…and Cap will back me up every time.
So…how was your Thanksgiving?
Cap’s Best Thanksgiving Ever
To see the full album of “Cap’s Best Thanksgiving Ever,” click here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151730393112085.1073741834.709582084&type=1&l=2cf1d1cee4
For those on Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/search/capsbestthanksgivingever (start at the bottom)
This is awesomesauce! I love Cap and Princess Alethea! 😉
And we love you, ma’am! *fishyhugs*
I saw this on Instagram and LOVED it. Showed it to my family one night over dinner. The young ones smiled, saying I had really cool friends:)…and they are right!
Oh, hooray! I get double-fairy-points for making children smile. It’s the Santa Claus in me. *hugs the family*
And happy belated birthday, Denny! xox
It was better with the help of you and Cap!! Thanks. So…what does he have planned for Christmas?
I don’t know! But I’m sure we can think of SOMETHING. Because it totally needs to happen. Right?!?
I too fell in love with cap and his great adventures this help me get through my Thanksgiving alone. now I got into an accident Friday night and was thrown from my truck in and doing so the cell phone got lost so I had no more com link to follow cap quite discouraging so I walked to the library! I just wish my daughter was still here and I could share it with her we both would still be laughing
Oh my gosh, James — I’m so glad you’re okay!
And now I’m doubly glad I took that bonus scene shot for you!
Big hugs to you and your daughter. xox
Shared what made my first–and absolutely wonderful–American Thanksgiving go to the nth degree! Shared the joy!
As for that ABC producer and the fake tweets? I read it a couple days back and had thought that while ‘Diane’ may have been a b**ch, he was just as much an a$$hole and I didn’t see why people kept praising him. Maybe I’m different in that I enjoy peace and harmony?
Yeah, I was on board with him too, until I read his notes filled with rude comments. I don’t agree with fighting rudeness with rudeness. Neither does Cap.
And I FORGOT this was your first American Thanksgiving! And I got to make it super-special! YAY!! *happy dancing on Cap’s shield*
Thanks, DIana!
Any pictures of Cap sitting atop the turkey? Or maybe Joe’s mom would draw the line at that? lol.
Super funny post! Can’t wait for his next set of adventures.
Cap in the Lagoon? Let’s interview him at Waterworld Mermaids. I’d love to have a chivalrous man’s point of view. 🙂
Ha! That would be pretty hilarious. Perhaps we can include it as part of the Christmas festivities.
And yeah…there was enough arguing about food this weekend without me trying to push Cap’s “slaying of the beast” pose. But I seriously considered it. 🙂
We have to introduce Cap to our mermaid avators! Maybe they can enjoy some frothy drinks together? Love the pictures. Reminds me of how much fun I had doing the Flat Stanley projects. Happy post-Thanksgiving, dear Princess!
Thanks, Pintip! *hugs the family*
Personally, I think Cap might be incredibly uncomfortable surrounded by the adoring attention of our scantily clad icthyoids…imagine all the blushing… 🙂
You are now officially my hubby’s hero. If and when he ever gets a tattoo, it’s gonna be Cap’s shield resting at the base of a very special tree which I’m not allowed to name online. As for the Floreses, we had a lovely Thanksgiving with my grandma in her retirement home. From 70-97, we met joyful seniors, some with surprisingly razor sharp eyesight. One lady was from Orange County and spotted the words on my kiddo’s t-shirt from across the dining hall. I wonder if she had left her cape in her room because surely as I sit here and remember that sparkle in her eye, she and her cohorts were my heroes that day. I’m thankful for those who have gone before me and I’m thankful for princesses with extraordinary imaginations. 🙂
Wow…that sounds like an awesome Thanksgiving, Carlene! I’m a big fan of seniors — they always have the best stories to tell, and pull no punches when they do so.
High fives to the hubby for me! 🙂