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#Post#: 16128--------------------------------------------------
Thanksgiving 2019
By: Jack Date: November 28, 2019, 7:06 am
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I've been talking about most of this stuff elsewhere, but I'll
take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Turkey Day. Sometimes
it seems like there's not a lot to be thankful for, considering
the crazy state of the world today, and what seems like a
constant assault on our Constitution and the rule of law, as
well as simple civility, but it's good to take time to remember
the things we do have. I have a large family of folk who are
mostly doing well in life. Considering the circumstances from
which a lot of my boys have come, I'm so glad they're mostly
well-adjusted and happy with where they are and what they're
doing. I'm especially glad that I've been lucky with money,
that I have a job that I love, and that I'm able to take care of
my family.
Parker was the last boy home last night, but everyone arrived
safely.
We're expecting to have about 90 people today. Yes, we are using
a tent to serve. We also have a 3-stall restroom trailer parked
by the garage (thus between the tent and the house). Space
heaters will have the tent nice and comfortable before we're
ready to eat.
We are turning out a huge buffet - partly so everyone will have
something they like, but party so we'll have plenty of
leftovers. Remember, we'll be going through a lot of those
leftovers Saturday evening, after getting the outside of the
house decorated, with our friends bringing leftovers of their
own to share, and all of us playing board games, cards, and
dominoes.
Used to be, I mostly took care of the meat and bread. We'll be
having smoked turkey, fried turkey, fried smoked turkey, Cajun
friend turkey, roast turkey, and grilled turkey, as well as
brisket, chicken, ham, and roasts. You can probably imagine all
the different breads we'll be having - white, wheat, and
Hawaiian sweet rolls, biscuits, corn bread, Texas Toast.
(Personal note - when I was growing up, my absolute favorite
bread was a loaf of pullapart bread, which they just don't seem
to make anymore). We'll have all the traditional sides, of
course - green bean casserole, candied yams, baked corn,
broccoli and rice casserole, stuffing (or maybe dressing, I
never can keep the two of them straight), several types of
mashed potatoes (and several other types of potatoes, since we
usually have au gratin and scalloped, and various new potatoes),
and I know Noah is doing his grilled salad, pickle salad, and
roast vegetable medley, and I'm not sure what Ryan's going to do
this year, and there's no telling what other sides the others
will be bringing - though we usually have most vegetables
represented.
I'm not even sure if I can list everyone who's supposed to be
here today, but my mom is coming, my cousin Darren and his
family are all going to be here, including his mom - my Aunt
Kathy, all of my brothers, and my ex-step-mom, Mary and her
current husband and his two youngest boys, and my cousin Ryan
and his two boys, and my 'nephew' (Steve's cousin) Jason and his
family, all five of my brothers and their families, and most of
my kids (JD, Mikell, and Charlie don't have long enough leave to
be here, Steve and Belle are going to her families, Tommy and
Donald decided to stay home, Tracy's mom has moved, so he can't
visit her and us the same day, and Caleb couldn't make it
because of work, but everyone else will be here), as well as my
'sort of kids' like Bruce, Chandler, and Billy will be here with
their moms.
Whew!
I need to get up and get moving. Breakfast isn't going to be a
big deal today, but it's still about five hours before we plan
to start eating, and probably more like 5 and 1/2 to be
realistic.
#Post#: 16129--------------------------------------------------
Re: Thanksgiving 2019
By: Zyngaru Date: November 28, 2019, 8:11 am
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Thanksgiving is a time for thanks. God of course is the person
I am most thankful for. Without Him, I have no idea where I
would be today, but am pretty sure it wouldn't be in a very good
place. He has gotten me out of many bad places throughout my
life. Second is my family. All of my brothers and sisters are
alive and well. As you know one of my sisters is now living
with me. She got really sick during October, but now is well,
has a doctor she likes and insurance and a health group that is
helping her. She is much better and enjoying life again. I am
thankful for that in more ways than I can explain. My many
nephews and nieces are doing very well, each in their own way.
Some of them have lifestyles, where they like to live, that
isn't how I would want to live, but they seem to enjoy it. Two
new nephews and one new niece this year. All three are heathy
and happy. My own situation is well. My health is doing good.
My finances are okay. My house just got a new kitchen and
utility room makeover, basically a remodel, since we had to tear
up some flooring and put in new floor joists. All looks great.
Yes the world could be in better shape, but it is still here and
I am thankful for that. During my lifetime, this world has been
at the brink a few times, that most people don't know about, but
since my dad was right in the thick of it, we knew how close
this world came to disappearing, and we have survived each time.
The thankful thing is knowing that this world does not end. It
will change, and not always for the better, but it never ends.
I am thankful knowing that. I have a great life. I am thankful
for it. I have friends online, that I am thankful for. I have
never made friends easily, so have always been thankful for the
few that I have. Yes. 2019 has been a very good year. I look
forward to 2020 with great expectations. If the 1920's were the
roaring 20's, what is the Double 20's going to be like?
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