Thinking about Turkey Time

     Well, it's the week before Thanksgiving and I'm sure all my classmates cannot believe it either.  Thus far this blog session has gone by fast and furious.  Every week I sit down at the computer with my mind at a blank and somehow always seem to get something up there to think about.  I really was going to devote this post to people and events that everyone should be totally thankful for, but changed my mind.  As my children started bringing home hacked up cut outs of the Nina, Pin ta and Santa Maria, pilgrim hats and Indian corn, I thought about all the interesting past Thanksgiving feasts I had the pleasure of attending.
     My grandparents always had quite a spread on this day.  My mother actually has five other siblings and this made for one big fest of food.  Her family does not drink alcohol, so I can remember eating, playing games, munching on pie all day, and doing it all over again for dinner.  The men, of course, just stayed glued to the tube to watch football.  When they realized how much fun they were missing by not playing the games, they left the living room and entered the game room.  The most interesting part were the guests.  My grandparents always invited acquaintances or friends that had no family to celebrate with, or no children to have their dinner with either.  I actually never knew who would be attending and often relatives or friends dropped by during the day.  It was an exhausting time, but well worth the fellowship.  Since my grandfather has  passed away, those days are no more.  All I have left are the memories.
     One year my grandmother was visiting relatives in Scotland, so my mother decided to cook the meal.  She invited my stepfather's father and his lady friend, my grandfather, my sister and I, and my stepfather, of course.  We lived in a wonderful little three bedroom cottage type house.  When you stepped inside the front door you were surrounded by comfort.  It was very homey and very small.  Mom put our puppy outside during the meal for good reason.  That dog would eat anything.  We all sat down, said grace and started to dig in when someone knocked loudly on the front door.  The neighbor down the street had a very large brown pet rabbit that wore a collar and stayed chained to a post in their front yard.  Apparently the bunny was missing and she was frantic to find him.  Mom told her our yard was double fenced, but she could take a look.  Well, the next thing we hear is a big scream.  Our dog Shadow had chased the bunny down in the back yard and literally shook it to death.  She then buried the rabbit under our deck and only two little brown legs were sticking out of the dirt.  Shadow was so pleased with herself, mother was not.  Although the lady threatened to sue, the moment I recall most vividly is my grandfather's reaction.  After he finished choking and laughing for a very long time, he told our neighbor she was "nutso".  Apparently, since the rabbit hopped into our backyard, his demise was not our responsibility.  Some type of private property ordinance I guess.  Anyway, those holiday photos are quite memorable!
     Now our family togetherness is nonexistent on Thanksgiving.  We are all grown, with our own families and it is so difficult to spread time between this relative and that relative.  I can say, however, that I have never spent  any time anywhere more interesting than with my Mom's family.  The laughter was from the gut and the memories are forever.  After much thought, I think I just might begin this type of gathering for my children to have their own fond memories.