Turkey Troubles

All this talk of gratitude makes me want to gobble, gobble, gobble. Those silly humans have no idea what real gratitude is. They enjoy being terrified all October, but turkeys don’t have that innate desire for a good scare. We just want to live and frolic and fall in love. Just because we aren’t human doesn’t mean we don’t notice when one of our mates disappears from the yard.

I overheard some of the humans talking and I know my end approaches if I can’t convince my rafter, what turkeys call our flock, to work together to fight for freedom. But they don’t listen. They consider the slowly increasing amount of food as a blessing not foreshadowing of some terrible day. The first snow has fallen. The pumpkins have disappeared from the front porches. The mistress of the house frets over the guest list so loudly that we can hear it from the yard. And then she recites another list that starts with appetizers, ends with pie, and inevitably includes the word turkey at least twice.

So I appeal to you. Whoever you are, take pity on me. I am too wise to be plucked and stuffed and roasted. Imagine the things you could learn if you just set me free. Besides, I hear tofu tastes way better than my breast meat ever could. Think about it. Save a life and keep your cholesterol down, my friends, I hear turkey raises your cholesterol anyway. You better save your cheat eats for that pie. I hear pumpkins aren’t afraid of anything. Have you seen the faces they make in October. You should be afraid of them.

~Just a little bonus for my dear readers. I hope you know how grateful I am for your feedback, support, and appreciation for these little pieces of amusement. I also hope you know that I am not the only one grateful for you. We all have people who love us, and I firmly believe we have Heavenly parents and a Savior who love each and everyone of us dearly. As we head into the Christmas season, I hope that love will filter through us into the world by our kind words and deeds.~

Gratitude Journal: Week Five [PREACHY]

I decided to hold off until the last day of the month to play catch up on my gratitude. I hope you find reasons to be grateful every day, not just every day of November.

Reading Gratitude

While the scriptures contain the books that most affect my life and I love reading them and learning from them, I also love reading a wide variety of books. Cozy mysteries are fun when I don’t feel like really focusing. In depth fantasy and science fiction novels tend to give my brain a workout. And who doesn’t love a book that teaches them things.  My husband can vouch for my love of books, since I keep suggesting he build me more bookshelves and he knows I am not really joking. Also, some of those children’s books bring me just as much joy as they bring the children…

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Teach Me to Give Thanks

I tried to write out a quick homage to all the teachers I appreciated as a child, which just made me realize I was a teacher's pet, probably much to their surprise since one brother was a class clown and the other I refer to as a discipline problem, so I shall try to be brief as I list teachers/principals/professors who encouraged me.

I have had many teachers who saw my potential and encouraged me to reach for the stars even when other people told me I would never reach them. My first first grade teacher, Mrs. Knotts, saw that I wasn’t learning much from her and transferred me to another class for the remainder of the year, so my mind could be challenged. I had a teacher named Miss Bryan in grade school who always made me feel respected and loved (and introduced me to peanut butter blossoms). And of course, my grade school librarian Mrs. Royce and her assistant Mrs. Sylva made my day by letting me help shelve books before school started each day. In grade school, I was such a good teacher’s pet that both the principal and vice principal took notice of my extreme nerdiness. One of them let me have some retired English books and the other specifically asked for me when one of my classes arranged for children to shadow important people in the community (seven years later). He was the mayor at the time.

I even had a math teacher in middle school who surprised me by realizing how bored I was in his class (because I was in the wrong the class) and made sure I got into the correct class the following year. Mr. Rollyson may have been influenced by the time he made me redo a problem so many times that erasing wore a hole through the page before realizing he had the wrong answer himself. And Mrs. Curry introduced me to the joys of sentence diagraming…

Mrs. Colebank gave me a deeper understanding of how to diagram sentences the following year and put up my my constant questions. I also got encouragement from my creative writing teacher and my high school French teacher, Mademoiselle Mays. And pretty much every language and linguistic teacher I had in college inspired me in some way. I even had a professor, who started curving the class grades to the second highest scores because my nerdy little heart and brain excelled in that particular class and it didn’t reflect well on a fair number of my classmates. In another class, the professor and I seemed to be having a book club because we were the only two who always read the material before class started. One girl even commented that she was taking notes on what we were discussing. I could detail how awesome a lot more teachers and professors were, but I know you have leftover pie to eat.

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Body of Gratitude

We should all be grateful for these amazing bodies we have been blessed with. In particular, I am grateful my body cooperated in making two beautiful little girls. It may have tried to kill me a couple of times along the way, but my girls are healthy and beautiful and extremely sassy. I think I have myself to blame for that last one.

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Achieving Gratitude

I am not sure I have achieved anything notable this year. As a stay at home mom of two adorable toddlers, I achieve the same goals over and over. I wash the laundry, fold it, and put it away. I cook the food, make sure everyone gets some, and then clean the dishes and put away the leftovers. Tiny but meaningful achievements.

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Talent of Gratitude

My top three talents, at least as far as my brain is concerned today are:

1. Baking. If you really know me, I have probably offered you baked goods. If you were lucky, they featured flavors you like. Apparently, not everyone likes coconut. Who knew?

2. Making people smile. Honestly, I question this one, but I have had more than one friend tell me how I brightened their day or how calming my voice is (not what you want to hear when you friend is driving you through downtown Baltimore).

3. Staying entertained. I once had a boss comment gratefully that he loved how he could assign me any tedious task and I would be excited about it. Apparently, having a brain wired like mine has its advantages.

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Finally Grateful

I was challenged to ponder what goals the gratitude challenge has caused me to set for myself, and I came up with this:

Apparently, I need to work on finding inner peace, making more time for me, and probably thinning out my interests, so I can focus on the important things in life...like pie...

Always Thankful [PREACHY]

 I know l have expressed a lot of gratitude over the last few weeks, but this should not be a new theme to any of us. We should be grateful every day for every good thing we are blessed with. I hope you bear with me for a couple more posts and be grateful that turkey and pie, oh my, have finally become fair game unless they all disappeared yesterday or this morning at breakfast. Pie for breakfast is a very good idea in times like these. (Truth be told, I had a friend egg and a homemade donut filled with raspberry cream, but I had pie with lunch.)

So today and every day, I’m thankful for my ability to create something out of nothing because I know I can make most of what I need if I can scrounge up the materials. I can turn scrap paper into a book. I can create a warm comfy quilt or clothing from the right number of scraps of cloth. And as most people who really know me have become aware, the right combination of ingredients can be turned into a meal or a sweet treat, depending on my mood. Granted, I have sweet little toddlers who don’t always enjoy mommy’s kamikaze food creations. That just means there is more for me, so that is something else for which to be grateful.

What is one thing you are grateful for even in your turkey and pie-induced haze?

And what is the one leftover you can’t wait to sink your teeth into today?

First Turkey Day [FICTION]

“My first Thanksgiving. My first Thanksgiving.” I sing happily under my breath as I pull the turkey out of the refrigerator and set it on the counter.

My husband laughs. “This isn’t your first Thanksgiving.”

“But it is the first one I am going to host.” I smile at him. “And it is going to be perfect.”

“I don’t know about that.” He looks at my turkey skeptically.

“What exactly do you mean?” I put down the kitchen scissors I was using to snip the bird free of its form-fitting plastic casing

“It’s just that I don’t remember seeing that bird in the fridge until yesterday morning…”

“And…”

“That looks like a good-sized bird. It should have probably been in there starting what Saturday, maybe Sunday at the latest.”

My mouth drops open. I pick the scissors back up, pretending to decide how best to free the bird from its protective barrier. Instead, I lean in to peer at the tiny print telling me how much the bird weighs. I rap on the turkey, frowning at both sound it makes and how hard and cold it feels against my knuckles as I search for the chart. Reading the chart confirms the sad news that my husband is correct. I sigh heavily and put the scissors down again as I turn to face my husband.

“Looks like we won’t be eating this bird until Monday.” I fight back tears.

“Don’t worry! I’ve got this.” My husband gives me a quick hug before turning toward the living room.

I lean against the counter and fight back tears of shame as hushed voices make a soft hum from the living room. The hum ends with enthusiastic cheering from my nephews and a boisterous “boo-yah” from my brother-in-law.

“We’ve got cake. We’ve got pie. We’ve got green beans…” I begin listing off the important meal-makers that we do have.

By the time I finish my mental list, my husband has returned with my brother. They beam at me.

“We took a vote, but I need to know one thing.”

“And what is that?” I ask, holding my breath.

“Did you make the mashed potato yet?”

“No. Why?”

“Yes, fries.” My brother pumps his arm in celebration, adding another “boo-yah.”

“Don’t bother with the mashed potatoes. We will grab some burgers and fries to go with all of our other goodies. Sound good?”

“Doesn’t sound like Thanksgiving,” I mumble.

“But who isn’t grateful for burgers?” My husband asks, offering me another hug.

“And fries?” My brother grins as he shakes his head up and down excitedly.

I laugh as he begins to do his patented gratitude dance, reserved for any time he gets to eat like a glutton, particularly Thanksgiving Day. “Alright. Let’s show our gratitude with burgers and fries, but who is open on Thanksgiving?”

“It’s the funniest thing,” my husband releases me from the hug but leaves one arm draped over my shoulder, “but my favorite hole-in-the-wall burger joint happens to be run by Canadians…”

I stare at him uncomprehendingly.

“They celebrated Thanksgiving in October…”

I nod understanding and give him a big hug. “Well, let’s give thanks for Canada then. And your love of a random burger joint.”

And that is how we all celebrated how grateful we are with hamburgers and fries. And let’s be honest, my husband probably wants this to be a yearly tradition though I will take my turkey 

~Don’t be caught off-guard, my friends. Check to see how many days your bird needs to thaw in the fridge and give it that many days (plus one if you seem to have my luck with half-frozen turkeys.) I already have my bird in my fridge. This year I will not find the neck still frozen to the inside of my bird. Oh who am I kidding, the turkey is my husband’s Thanksgiving task, so all future commentary on the bird should be attributed to his skills. I shall focus on planning a small feast for myself and my three housemates, who are picky. If you could send positive waves that this will be the year tiny hobbits like pie, I would appreciate it so much.~

Gratitude Journal: Week 2 [PREACHY]

 In case you didn’t catch last Sunday’s post or the excitement, terror, and continuing business of the past week has made you forget about it, these Sunday posts in November are inspired by a challenge to be grateful every day for our many blessing. My friend poses a question each day about what brings gratitude to our hearts and these are my responses.

Grateful, Naturally

What in nature are you grateful for?

I am grateful for everything in nature. I love the shade of the trees and their fruits. I love the peaceful calm of a gently flowing stream, but I also love shooting out over the rapids when I am floating along. And, of course, I love cute little animals. I was actually contentedly watching a fox watch me on my walk one morning until a rumbly car came along and broke our silent reflections on each other.

Now if I could only bring some of that peace and calm into my house. Keep in mind that letting a little fresh air wash through your house is strongly encouraged right now to let your own germs be vanquished on the winds.

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Gratitude Starts at Home

I am grateful for my mom’s patience as I trundled around under her feet in the kitchen and watched her cook. Despite their complaints that I made them fat, I know my roommates always appreciated the skills I learned at her feet.

I am grateful for those few times my brothers and I were all getting along and playing a board game or watching “Fraggle Rock”. Otherwise, we would probably never talk to each other. A few good memories are better than none after all.

I am grateful for warm blankets made of fuzzy cats. You can never feel unloved when the felines are hungry or cold. 

I am also grateful having “the cart before the horse” because the pie was always ready before the turkey.

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Friends Fill Our Hearts With Gratitude

I can’t pick just one friend that I am grateful for, but I can narrow it down to about six. Without naming names, I am grateful to them for many reasons including: no matter how long we go without talking, we end up dissolving in giggles over topics that mystify others; no matter how many times I call to complain about crappy people, those friends still pick up and listen no matter what is going on in their lives; they are willing to drive hundred or thousands of miles to help me eat birthday cake, even if life won’t actually let them; and of course, they never judge me for being the weirdo that I am, in fact, they love me for it.

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Music of Thanks

I am grateful for most music, particularly what one roommate referred to as whiny chick music, which includes Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, and Jewel. I also love hits from the 80s, as long as I don’t ponder the lyrics too closely.

During quarantine though, I have been appreciating a coupe of bands that have taken the time to perform live shows online. With two toddlers, I wouldn’t be able to see them at all in person, but I can listen to them with my toddlers in my living room when they livestream to Facebook. If you are friends with me, you may have noted that I have shared the musical stylings of The Clarks (a Pittsburgh band), Bill Deasy (another Pittsburgh crooner,) and my friend Greg. We creative types need to stick together and produce some joy in these tough times. (Still hoping this blog is helping to keep the blues at bay for my loyal readers.)

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Keep Dreaming

When I heard the description of the television show “The Pretender”, I thought that sounded like the perfect life for me. I have been interested in a variety of professions, but I always bounce back to writer, where one can at least write about being anyone or anything, though research is often required to make that believable. The image of Louisa May Alcott’s Jo from “Little Women” comes to my mind quite often. I wish I could disappear into a tiny room up in the gables of an old house and sit at my desk in my special writing clothes. I wish I could get down all these wild and crazy thoughts that flow through my head. But I don’t have time for that, so here I sit in November, adding word after hard fought word to my project of the month for National Novel Writing Month. So today, a little gratitude for words, those who employ them to wonderful ends, and those who encourage the creative spirits to share word after word no matter what form they take.

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Be Thankful to Be Employed

I am grateful that my little bosses are as cute as they are bossy. Being a stay at home mom can often be a thankless jobs, but those tiny hugs are totally worth it. And I never at a loss for tasks to perform, so I can’t be bored. Being bored in times like these can give one a little bit too much time for reflection and introspection. Be kind to yourselves and stay busy, friends.

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Thanks for All the Knowledge

I am thankful for things I know to be true, including that I am a child of a Heavenly Father who loves me, that my best is more than good enough, and that families can be together forever, even if some of them are driving us a little crazy right now.

Just so you know, Heavenly Father loves you, too. Whether you believe he exists or think you are worthy of divine love, you are loved.

And you are definitely good enough. Sometimes we let ourselves get bummed out because we wish we could do more. Ad long as you are doing your best, you are more than enough. Keep pushing forward and leave the world better than you found it.

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Dear loved ones,

As Thanksgiving approaches in the wild rollercoaster ride that is 2020, I write to you from the bottom of a grateful heart. I want you to know that I am grateful for you. I love your smiles and your hugs. I love learning from you and occasionally teaching you something new.

But most of all, in this time of COVID and isolation, I am grateful for my true friends. I am grateful for people I can call despite having not speaking to them for months and talk to them as if we are sitting across from each other with a glass of milk at one hand and a fork in the other—a fork loaded down with chocolate cake or pie, which is more appropriate for the season we are in. I am grateful for the friends who truly listen and truly care. They don’t judge me. They don’t tell me I need fixed, unless, of course, I have just asked them to share their expertise about subjects at which I struggle.

I am also grateful for people I can connect with virtually. The ones who read the excessive number of words I use to describe a given situation and remind me to look on the bright side. They respond when they can, not six weeks later after having posted at least a half dozen times a day in response to their true friends. (Honestly, if I didn’t think it was petty, I would thin my friends lists down to only the people I feel think of me as a friend. But that is ungrateful.) 

I am grateful for my friends who read and write and sing and play and create beauty through a variety of physical formats. I am trying to be better, friends, at reminding you that you are amazing instead of just asking for reassurance that someone besides me cares about my words. Thanks, dear readers, for taking the time to read my words and give me honest feedback on how they touched you. I am hoping to connect and exchange better with my fellow creators in the new year, but trying to work that out will have to wait until after I finish 50,000 words for Nanowrimo and probably until after Christmas. ’Tis the season to be perpetually busy, isn’t it?

I am thankful for those few moments of down time I manage to snag. I have to get up early and sneak out into the pre-dawn chill to do it some days, but it is needed in this time when I am blessed with so much time with my family. I am grateful for the fact that they like me enough to vote me off the island on days when I am not the queen of happy and joyful.

And, of course, I am grateful for those who came before me. From time to time, I climb my family tree and find a little bit of me in the stories I find carved on the branches. I love the newspaper story about a great great great uncle who still mowed his own lawn at 101. I love hearing about ancestors who loved to create because it helps me feel a connection with them. And any time I hear about a relative that likes to bake or tame animals, I nod my head and think how great it is that those attributes are clearly genetic.

Feel free to share what you are grateful for with me, your family, and other loved ones.