I’m trying to get this all done and posted prior to Wednesday, since we have plans to brew with friends and then watch cheesy movies. (Of course, I am just now editing and posting, early Weds morning.)

1. Talking turkey…are you cooking the turkey this year? Does ham belong on a Thanksgiving day menu? When it comes to gravy do you pour it over your whole plate, skip it altogether, or land somewhere in between? Cranberries-homemade or jelled right out of the can? Do you look forward more to the main course, the savory sides, or the desserts?

I always make the turkey, yes. He’s a 19 pound Butterball and I got him for $1.19 a pound a week ago, which isn’t the best price but I wasn’t about to wait until the last second.

No, my family likes ham lunchmeat but is not keen on an actual ham, though I love it.

We never make gravy even though, again, I like it. If I ever get gravy I pretty much only use it to moisten a dry turkey.

I prefer the dog-food looking cranberry sauce but realized I picked up the whole berry can this year; we’ll see!

I’m personally a fan of the sides. We have mashes, mac and cheese, corn bread, and southern green beans.

2. Holiday movies…tell us your favorite and what it is about the film that makes you love it. Is it the film itself or a memory it stirs? 

Oh man, there’s so many but I am personally fond of It’s A Wonderful Life because my God, it makes you reflect on just how good you’ve got it. I always blubber like a baby when he comes back to his family. Funny thing is, I really didn’t appreciate it or enjoy it as a kid; it took having a family to see its true merit. I know my mom used to watch it when I was little and now I get it.

3. A favorite way to give back and help others?

In the past I’ve done one of those adopt-a-family things if someone at worked organized it but I am not very good with figuring out how to do this. And then the season is over before I know it.

4. Name a place or setting you encountered this month that made you feel grateful. 

This will sound dumb but when the kids and I got to the hotel Ash had already been at four days and had checked in, changed, and we were finally in the pool, I felt a sense of relief and calm. As my daughter pulled Ash and I in the lazy river, I was so thankful we even had the opportunity to have a little family weekend like this, especially as we head into 2025, which is my eldest’s last year here.

5. Knowing what you know today, if you could redo yesterday what would you do differently? 

This also sounds dumb but I would have majored in something else. I love English and the Masters got me the jobs I have now but I wish I had gone into real estate or computers or even banking.

6. Spill your own random thought here. 

I’m MIA Wednesday because as noted, we have 3 friends coming over to brew. One couple had mentioned they like cheesy B-movies so we had loosely planned a watch day. But then, at the concert this past weekend, we found out our other friend, Tim, was super into those too. He mentioned wanting to brew but needed a mill (which we have) so plans came together. I’m making a budget-friendly charcuterie and Katie is baking sourdough bread. Should be fun. Kids are home but they have their own things they’re doing. My oldest is unloaded Christmas trees. He did it yesterday for 15/hour and he said it was probably worth it but also, back-breaking.

Tuesday I had to go to campus; this week is technically the last week and next, just finals week. It doesn’t make much sense because kids don’t attend the day before the Thanksgiving break, even if it is the final day. Oh well. I had to rush home after and snag Isaac to go do job paperwork. I think I mentioned that we started a snowball effect once I found the birth certificates: Monday he got his state issued ID and a bank account and we did go to the city offices to meet with the woman about refereeing but she was so engrossed in making soccer schedules she didn’t see us. LOL. She called me and I told her we’d be back. We then met Ash at BestBuy and then the three of us ate at the mall. Kind of a nice afternoon. Took some food home to our daughter then she and I ran to Hobby Lobby and the grocery store. I felt fine but my throat is encumbered by mucus all of a sudden. Again, it must be the shifts in weather; it got warm again but then tomorrow is supposed be a little rainy then turn cold, very cold. We’re going to see 30s.

Anyway, let me get on with some grading then I have to prep the equipment for brewing! Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!