A Sad Thanksgiving

-

I filled my plate as I normally do - turkey (dark meat), mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans and corn. I added some gravy.

The standard first dish.

I usually head back up for extras of a few other things I haven’t tried and maybe a little more stuffing.

Not this year!

Jim knocked it out of the park again this year - everything was great and he cooked enough for 40 people.

There were 10 of us there.

I barely finished that first plate.

Didn’t even consider dessert.

There was also a point where my Mom looked at me and Jim standing side-by-side and said:

“What the hell happened? You two are skinny.”

After we ate there was the cleanup and Jim put some plates for us to take home.

“We won’t eat all that,” I said.

“You have the kids. They’ll finish it off.”

“They aren’t there anymore!” I said. “Most nights it’s just the two of us, and Kathy would eat a bowl of cereal for dinner if I let her.”

And Jim was feeling a bit nostalgic.

“It’s sad,” he said. “Remember all the food we’d eat on Thanksgiving at the big house on the hill? Now. Just a little sad.”

But of course, not being able to eat to pain isn’t the gauge by what we will be remembered for.

We shared some laughs, talking of those who are no longer with us.

The Bills played like turkeys but were gifted a win.

So, all in all, it worked out.

The more things change…

…Kathy left early this morning to go Black Friday shopping.

She hasn’t done that in years.

Some of my money went with her.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more