LEFTOVERS
I love leftover turkey! I know it gets a bum wrap from a lot of people who poke fun at it. But, I love it.
In fact, I love leftovers of just about any kind. Things often taste better the second day. It allows time for the full flavor to permeate the entire dish. In addition, it is satisfying to the soul when previous efforts can continue bearing fruit in the present moment. But above all else, eating leftovers reminds me of the joy encountered the first time it was served. I also remember to be grateful for what I have. And leftover turkey from Thanksgiving is right at the top of my gratitude list.
Yesterday I woke early and started preparing the feast — turkey with all the trimmings. It was a labor of love preparing this spread for my family. Taking care of the people closest to me is a treasure which is its own reward.
I shared the meal with my two daughters, my youngest daughter’s boyfriend, and their beautiful little baby girl. It was a family affair. There were three generations present in body and a fourth generation still alive in our hearts.
There was father’s sage and onion stuffing, daughter’s pumpkin pie, and sister’s traditional green bean casserole. Throw in mashed potatoes, candied yams, coleslaw, homemade rolls, turkey, and gravy, well . . . as the saying goes, “It doesn’t get any better than this.” A family joined together in love, sharing food, and appreciating each other’s company is what holidays are all about.
In particular, it is the perfect setting for Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for. Family and food, of course, but think of all the other blessings that fill our lives — many of which we take so much for granted that they don’t often register on our gratitude meters.
For one, be thankful that you’re reading this post. It means you have the gift of sight and the ability to read. It also means you have a computer or, at least, access to one. This automatically implies you have electricity which serves many needs. Most likely the electricity is coming through the power outlets in your house. Having a home truly deserves being thankful. Maybe you’re reading this at work. Having a job, particularly in these unstable economic times, should elicit gratitude. On a daily basis there are a multitude of other things available to us which deserve thanks — transportation, education, entertainment, information, support systems, and other people to interact with. How often do we think about our good fortune to live among people who are mostly willing to be helpful?
Taking time to reflect on everything which touches every aspect of our lives in ways that give us health, happiness, and purpose is an excellent way to dispel feelings of dissatisfaction. Certainly there are things we wish to yet have, but none of those unfulfilled wishes can erode any of the blessing of what we have now. Appreciate the fullness of our lives and be grateful for all that fills them.
So, you can go wolf down some corndogs at the mall while fighting the crowds on Black Friday, if you want. As for me, I’m going to revel in the bounty of yesterday’s leftovers. Please pass the turkey before you go.
If you're enjoying this over coffee, tea, or whatever, please consider buying me a cup!BLACK FRIDAY
I usually try to avoid shopping on Black Friday. I don’t like dealing with traffic and competing with fellow shoppers for bargains. But this year, the store discounts were too good to pass up.
So yesterday, somewhere between the Jell-o Shot and pumpkin pie, I snuck off to clip coupons. This morning I rose before dawn to ensure getting a good parking space at the mall. And I did. It was no more than 200 yards from one of the mall entrances. I didn’t want more than a short dash ahead of me. Better to save my energy for bargain hunting.
I even prepared a thermos of high-octane coffee for myself. I wasn’t used to getting up this early. I’d need to be alert the moment the mall opened. But I didn’t join the throng of people clustered around the main mall entrance at 5:45 AM. Someone might demand some coffee.
However, as it turned out, the coffee was a bad idea. I needed to pee, but the mall was still closed. So I went to a 24-hour convenience store with grungy bathrooms. This meant relinquishing my elite parking space. By the time I returned, my spot was taken.
Desperately, I methodically drove up each and every row looking for a space. I was just about to circle around the back of the mall. That’s when I spied a Security vehicle pulling out of a primo spot near the mall entrance. I was in the next row so I swung my car around and raced over, careening around a baby carriage. I pulled in triumphantly and narrowly beat out a Salvation Army Santa. He flipped me the mitten.
Unfortunately though, I arrived too late for the best “Early Bird” specials. I waded through crowds of people in the men’s section of my favorite department store only to be disappointed. Instead of getting 60% off men’s Christmas boxers, I’d only get 40%. And the selection was limited to ones with Frosty the Snowman pasted across the butt. So I passed on them. Besides, it’s not like I have any men to buy for anyway. Being frugal, I just couldn’t resist a sale.
Frantically, I ran over to the women’s sleepwear section to see if I’d missed that sale, too. Yup. The nightgowns were thoroughly pawed through. Only footsie pajamas and Miss Piggy long-johns were left. And the sizes were enormous, even by American standards.
Feeling desperate, I flew down the escalator, pushing people aside as I took steps two at a time. A sale on candy canes was in progress at the drug store. I wasn’t interested in buying candy canes to eat. I only use them to decorate my Christmas tree. And I needed blue ones to match my seashore, tree theme. These are always in short supply.
Candy-cane boxes were heaped in what looked like a pyramid an elephant had charged through. Boxes were strewn everywhere. I spied one, lone box of blue candy canes. My hand locked on it. But so did someone else’s. I glared at the lady across the box. She glared, too. I lifted one corner of my upper lip in a feral snarl. So did she. I tugged heartily on the box. She tugged back.
Just when I thought I’d have to wrestle her for it, a store clerk rushed forward with another box of candy canes. He offered it to me. I reached for it, relinquishing the other box. Too late, I realized my mistake. They weren’t blue! By then, the lady was gone. And my blue candy canes with her.
If you're enjoying this over coffee, tea, or whatever, please consider buying me a cup!
