ANOTHER THANKSGIVING BITES THE DUST

November 22, 2007, has come and gone. It snuck up on us once again and seemed to come a week earlier than usual; others mentioned it so must not just be my imagination.

For the last couple of years Thanksgiving dinner has been eaten either in a restaurant or retirement center dining room, actually since my parents stopped owning a home. To the women folk, not having to prepare a Thanksgiving feast would be music to the ear but to be honest, I miss the hustle and bustle of a hot kitchen and the disagreements caused by having too many cooks getting in each other’s way. Maybe it’s the homemade taste but think it’s more of having done something special for those you love. This year Mom said I could fix the meal at their place but politely declined. It still would not be the same. Of course, my place is too small and a majority of those cooking utensils are in storage. Maybe when I move and get that nice apartment Mom thinks I deserve...

On Thursday, Dad was able to go down to dinner. The first time he has been down since coming home from surgery, and he actually packed it away, including a piece of pecan and pumpkin pie. Several months ago the dining room changed the “rules”--no “take out” if eating downstairs--however, there was an extra piece of pecan pie on our table and knew it would be trashed, so Debbie had no problem sneaking it out in two of those cheap paper napkins. What were they going to do, arrest me? But Mom and Dad had no problem with it. I also will admit to having done that in eating establishments in the past for a different reason--if it’s left and I’m paying for it, it’s going with me. And before you ask, no, there was never any premeditation involved--never got something with the intent of taking it home.

The next several hours were spent in front of the TV--Don insisted there would be football with Thanksgiving--but he kept surfing the channels. They ended up watching the Miracle on 34th Street, and I sat and read a Prevention magazine, but you’re with family; that is what’s most important. Wished Jonathan could have been there, but the distance was far too great to go down and pick him up and then take him home.

My calendar is usually blank, and if you were to ask me to do something even on the spur of the moment, I would undoubtedly be free; however, this weekend the plate was quite full. Practicing keyboard to accompany a friend for an Elk’s Lodge memorial service. Going out of town to spend some quality time with special friends. Visited, ate, watched TV, played board games... What is it about board games that when the competition gets fierce, the horns come out and shocking phrases spill out of the mouth. Oh, I was quite disillusioned with a particular individual, but she is still A-OK in my book.

Guess it still bothers me that I’m not very talkative especially in bigger groups, although Jonathan would disagree, but that’s who I am and there’s nothing wrong with that; however, I have never laughed so hard for so long. Already knew these people were nuts, but at the end of our 24 hours together, that opinion was raised to a whole new level.

Great time. Great company. Great hospitality. Great food. Where do you find such an assortment of jellies, some even homemade, and juices where you have the choice of no pulp, medium pulp, and extra pulp? Not in any eating establishment I’ve ever patronized. This visit confirmed what I already knew--wish Carl, Jonathan, and I had met these fine folks many moons ago.

Another bonus feature to this weekend--I’m no longer an e-Harmony reject. Yes, this was one of the best Thanksgiving weekends ever.