2. There is an article in Slate magazine about the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, and the epidemic that killed most of the people on the New England coast just as the Pilgrims arrived. I knew of course the story of Squanto-- (Tisquantum) a local Patuxet who stepped out of the woods and said 'Hi' when the Pilgrims showed up. His story, and how he came to speak English is a very sad one, but he was apparently a very kindly guy. I have never heard that he blamed anyone for anything.
I had always heard that the illness that caused the dying was measles, or some virulent flu. But this article posits leptospirosis Interesting.
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/11/leptospirosis_and_pilgrims_the_wampanoag_may_have_been_killed_off_by_an.html
3. I am not going anywhere for Thanksgiving. Husband is going to his moms. Kids are undeclared at the moment. I suspect that they will end up going-- just for the day. I am looking forward to doing my Thanks with the internet, a book, nap, quiet house. If the kids stay here I will make lamb.
