Thanksgiving Notes
This year we tossed a coin, and the kids will sit at the dining room table and the adults at the card table in the living room.
A secret I will take to the grave is how I carve the dark meat in slices and the white meat in chunks.
My wife says that this year she'll carve the turkey and I can carve the gelatin mold.
You can be humbled by praise, or you can be humbled by carrying in the turkey and having it slide off the plate into your mother-in-law's lap.
I've read where the body cells completely replace themselves every seven years. So at my age, I've already been ten different people, all with a tendency to forget the rolls.
This year we're having the words. "There's more gravy" stitched right on the napkins.
At our house we have a rule that the cook has to come to the table so we can all get started, then she can go back to the kitchen.
This year we've designated Aunt Viv to say grace and Uncle Howie to say "Let's eat."
As usual, we've invited an odd number of people, so there won't be a tie vote on whether to have the pies right after dinner or wait an hour.
As always, the pie-serving honors will go to Cousin Marian, who cuts the biggest slivers.
Speaking for myself, when I ask for a sliver of mince pie, I do mean a sliver.
I suppose I will die never knowing what pumpkin pie tastes like when you have room for it.
What greater blessings to give thanks for at a family gathering than the family and the gathering.
And Then Some...
"To ask why the front page always reports bad news is like asking why the obituaries always report somebody dying."
"Am I so unusual? I mean, if you had an imaginary friend who died, wouldn't you blame God?"
"I was the other day unaccountably sad and wondered if perhaps some secret admirer had passed away."
~~ Robert Brault
19 comments:
We both wrote about holiday dinners today!
kenju,
Looks like we have Thanksgiving and Christmas covered. Happy New Year!
smiles,
rb
I've been dreaming of Thanksgiving Dinner....please sing to the tune of White Christmas!! Every year, as soon as I see the first magazine cover with a turkey on it, my mouth starts to water! Yum! And this year, everything has zero calories, did you know that, Robert? Yes, there's been some kind of Declaration, I heard....somewhere.... ;)
Becky,
Zero calories? I think the President has to declare it by executive order, but it would only pertain to those making less than 250K.
smiles,
rb
I will be sure this year NOT to toss a coin!
;)
"I was the other day unaccountably sad and wondered if perhaps some secret admirer had passed away."
The least we can do for someone who loved us in secrecy is to be sad for an unknown reason during their passing. Beautifully said Mr. Brault. Your thoughts are always a pleasure to read and mull over.
Sue,
When I was growing up, I had three brothers and four cousins at Thanksgiving dinner, the eight of us all within three years of each other. It was a crowded card table.
nocturnefirefly,
Welcome. Visited your blog and am pretty much blown away. Your poem, "A Tiny Death" is the heartfelt emotional catharsis that must necessarily precede any appreciation of my poem "Jessie's Piece," and your "Acceptance" is nothing short of an intellectual jewel. I am pleased no end by your taking notice of my thoughts.
smiles both,
rb
Making less than 250K....well, I'd definitely qualify for THAT!!
Once again you have made me laugh out loud. blessings, marlene
What greater blessings to give thanks for at a family gathering than the family and the gathering.
My favorite, although they all made me excited for Thanksgiving and nostalgic for ones in years long gone. Wasn't it a great year when you finally graduated to the "big table?" There's something to be said for people who don't spill or drop food on the floor, but the conversation is so much more amusing at the card table!
Becky,
You and me both. Fact is, there were times when I was very thankful for the calories.
Stitchin,
The turkey did slide off the plate once, but ended up in the baby's highchair. Fortunately, the baby was already in somebody's lap.
karen,
I well remember the card table. The food left on our plates would have fed the local high school football team.
smiles all,
rb
Robert, you already know how I feel about your writing, so I won't embarrass you by gushing today. And I also really enjoy the folks who hang around your place. Please ask Becky if she'd mind if I SHAG to the tune she suggested? Over here on Topsail Beach, sunny, sandy, windy, and warm as it is, I somehow can't get into the wintry wonderland scenario. And I just finished my annual tuxedo fancy dancing for the year at a friend's wedding. You guys ought to hear the Embers' version of that tune! Now that I think about it, maybe I'll scoot down to Myrtle Beach and do my bit under the boardwalk. dk
Don,
Let's all meet under the boardwalk New Year's Eve. Like to see you shag to Auld Lang Syne. We'll see if Becky can dance backwards in heels. Wear your tux. I'll be the fellow in the cardigan.
smiles,
rb
Cardigan and speedos. Now, that, will be a hoot! BTW, which boardwalk? Myrtle Beach, S.C. or the Boardwalk in Atlantic City? Are there any other (significant) boardwalks. Did I send you the thing I put on my blog about veterans? I mentioned Evie and Donn. I have no way of measuring the worth of their sacrifice, or the depth of her pain and others like her. But I do feel great respect and appreciation for unselfish, sacrificial, noble service. I've been telling folks today they should thank a veteran for their freedom. don
Don,
Actually, as many times as I've been to Myrtle Beach (10 or 12), I've never noticed a boardwalk. Not to worry. We can party under the lifeguard stand.
smiles,
rb
Hi Robert!
I know it's been a few days since you published these quotes, but can I still comment?
"...or you can be humbled by carrying in the turkey...made me laugh right out loud!!! those turkeys can really be slippery!!
"...What greater blessings to give thanks for at a family gathering than the family and the gathering...fantastic!! i so agree...one Thanksgiving a couple of years ago, I gave thanks that we were all together...the next Thanksgiving there was an empty seat at the table... Sean was in Afghan!! infact, that was the day they left on their offensive...
"...other day unaccountably sad and wondered if perhaps some secret admirer had passed away."...or a friend...it's such an eery feeling, isn't it?
thank you for putting into words some of the same things I have thought!! always good to read your blog, Robert! thank you! Nina
Nina,
The great satisfaction in this exercise is to have people identify with the words I post. Thank you. I'm following your series on The Impressionists with interest and appreciation. You are spreading word of one of the world's great delights.
smiles,
rb
What fun! I love your blog and am now following.:*)Kerrie
Kerrie,
Welcome -- and a fine final day of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to you!
smiles,
rb
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