Turkey Day

Busy day today. Gotta go check on the annual Thanksgiving fire out in the field. The goal is to see how long we can keep it going. Thanksgiving is usually our last good weather and I love to spend as much time as I can outdoors.

One Thanksgiving Beaven wanted to cut down a tree that was blocking our satellite reception. But the tree landed on the house and it took the entire day Thanksgiving clearing up that mess.

Another year the pond had dried up and we spent the day clearing out a lot of stuff that had sunk in the water. What makes that year memorable is that one of our daughters was wearing a heart monitor because she had developed an erratic heartbeat. After she got home after that weekend she ended up in the hospital and had a procedure to correct the problem. Nothing makes a Thanksgiving memorable like a brush with medical problems.

I am grateful this year for great weather. For health. For a family that, for the most part, really enjoy each other’s company. For living close to God’s creation.

Facebook the last couple of days has been alive with recipes and cooking plans. Here’s my contribution:

How to Cook a Turkey
Cooking a turkey is one of the most overrated efforts in America. Years ago, housewives with too much time on their hands began doing weird stuff like sewing it together. It doesn’t need that.

There is only one precaution. Remember to check it inside for those little bags of parts. God only knows what they are-liver and hearts and gross stuff. Some people know how to use them but I don’t. You don’t have to know what to do with them, just remember to take them out or you will cut into the turkey at the dinner table to find it and be publicly humiliated - probably in front of your mother-in-law.

The whole process starts at the store when you have to pick one out. I’ve never done any fancy calculations about weight. I always just bought one the same size as all the others. You’re feeding an average size crowd so buy an average turkey. Don’t get one too small or you won’t have enough juice for gravy. Don’t get one too big, either--you don’t have an oven that big and surely you have enough sense not to invite that many people.

Bring it home and wash it. This is not only for cleanliness. You want to be sure to check for all those little bags. Most important, however, is that during the washing of the turkey you get to know it. This is your honored guest for the big meal. His name is probably Tom. Call him by name. I never figured out why people would cook a male turkey named Tom when it is the big breasts they want. Maybe the toms are larger. I always call mine Tom no matter what sex it is.
Introduce Tom to your children. Have him wave his wing. Show the kids how he runs on his drumsticks. Enjoy yourself . This is the last quality time you will have with the children this whole day. This is the last smile they will see on your face. Explain to them that you are going away on a trip and another mother who just looks like you will be here for a day or so. She may say and do some shocking things and her face will get very red while she screams at everyone. Explain that you will be home after she leaves, probably on Saturday.

Here is my recipe for cooking turkey:
Read on the bag how long to cook it and what temperature to use. Stuff an onion and a celery stick up his butt and throw him in the pan. I’m not sure the onion and celery help the turkey but it makes the room smell nice. Do NOT cover the pan. Rub a little margarine on the top. Salt and pepper. Make a mental note of the time. Put it in the oven. Go away and forget about it. Turkeys have been doing this for years. They know what to do.