Anyway, I am thankful for having a roof over my head, for being able to pay my bills and not have to choose between medication and food. I’m thankful to have a loving family that celebrates the holidays together. I’m thankful I can travel and see others parts of the world. Life is good.

Isn’t football a form of male bonding? And, while football is definitely male dominated, all of my sisters love football more than their husbands, so I’m not sure it is completely a gender thing either.

Certainly I have a niece who would prefer to watch the Cowboys and Lions play, rather than talk about canning, child care, and the latest scrapbooking techniques. (These are talked about frequently–I’m not exaggerating.) If we do get into a subject the men like, it usually involves politics, and I frequently end up bashing Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, or other conservative commentators talking about how the end of the world is coming, and that we need to get our guns and year’s supply of food ready. I can’t say I really enjoy being the fly in the ointment on that conversation either.

Let’s look at your golf example for a minute. So, if the guys slaved over the barbecue grill, and wanted everyone there to eat it, reminisce, etc, you would prefer to sit at the table for 8 hours talking about deer hunting, changing the transmission in your car, mixed martial arts fighting, and other things you are obviously completely uninterested in, rather than watch the US Open or the Masters Golf Tournament with your girlfriends who all prefer to watch golf. Would you really sit there year after year, talking about Hulk Hogan and the latest in the WWF, and not complain?

It is funny to me that women expect the men to be completely interested in their conversation on certain days, and then during baby wedding showers and want nothing to do with men. My point is to live and let live. Certainly there are plenty of men in the house who enjoy a football game. Perhaps even golf….. (While I have been to the Master’s tournament, it is not one of my top 5 favorite sports to watch on tv.)

FD had it right. If the Patriots or Raiders are playing, I’d probably have a hard time QUIETLY watching the games, but the basement is well-insulated enough that our male bonding won’t get too out of control….

I didn’t mean to turn this negative. Raechel, what are you thankful for?

Oh, sure it does, or it can! C’mon, what family spends the ENTIRE day seated around the table interracting? I don’t think MH was talking about being absent from the dinner or locking himself in a room to watch football while the rest of the family has meaningful conversation. I think what he had in mind (he can answer himself) is to quietly go and watch the game once dinner is over and the conversation has died down without being looked down upon.

I think back to Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners with my family. We interracted and we all ate together, but it didn’t last the WHOLE day. The women would start chit-chatting, the men too, and the kids would go and play video games or maybe some would go out for a walk. Not a big deal.

Think of the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Think about what it means for a mother to have family – her children and grandchildren – seated around the table, enjoying the meal she has slaved over for several hours. Think about how the mother has looked forward to having her family together, in the same room, talking, reminiscing and creating new memories. This time is precious to her.

Football has no place in this picture. Golf, on the other hand….just kidding.

Have you got any others there who want to watch, or are you in a house full of football-hating women?

I’m not one of those guys who enjoys watching replays of games. I’d be more inclined to check the score constantly via internet on my phone, and give updates to all the guys who are interested, including her husband.

Look, I’m big enough to miss a game on Thanksgiving. What bothers me is the idea that watching football is somehow sinful. If that’s truly the case, then BYU should drop its football program.

I get the idea that she doesn’t like football. But does she have to ruin it for the people who do? I’m happy to go downstairs and watch the game while she wants to gossip with the girls… (Ok, that wasn’t nice…., but I’m really frustrated.) Can we have a little tolerance for football?

Somehow you re-wrote my entire post on this subject in 10 words!

Now if only we could forgive as generously as He does…

Also, reward yourself for being so considerate and having to watch a taped game by buying your favourite game snack.

I’m sure my wife will be happy when I’m done with school this December too. (I’ll be done if I can get my thesis completed….)

So, I just have a question. Growing up, Football was a big part of Thanksgiving celebration. My wife’s mother hates football, and thinks it is rude to watch football on any day of the week. I feel like I’m in a culture war. Can I get some opinions here?