AHEAD OF THE GAME

The time leading up to this Thanksgiving has been relatively sane. For a change. Even factoring in our taking care of my 89 yr old father, and a 6 mo old grandbaby two or three days a week. 

Three weeks before the “main event”, I went into Publix, noticed huge bins of gourds, and thought “I should get these for the centerpiece, and be ahead of the game” (I often forget it until the last minute).

As I started digging through the assortment, looking for a nice variety of colors, shapes, and textures, Publix was kind enough to pipe in “You Can Call Me Al”. I sh*t you not. I thought “You gotta be kidding me (!) … that thing was stuck in my head for dayssssss last Thanksgiving.”

An older woman — my God, I think she was my age — coiffed, dressed in a cream suit, and dripping jewels, stopped right beside me. Peered into my basket, and asked “What are you going to do with the gourds?”

After an infinitesimal pause — I think I kept my face blank — I said “Make a Thanksgiving centerpiece.” (Is there something else people do with waxed gourds? Never mind, I don’t want to know.)

She exclaimed “If that was displayed on your table, I would buy your house!” (Okay, where’s this goin’?)

Whipping something out of her purse, she said “Here’s my card if you decide to sell.” I took the proffered card, looked at it, and saw that she was a realtor. (What could I say?) “Thank you.” 

When I got home, I hoisted my double-bagged purchase, and announced “Dan, I’m ahead of the game … I have gourds for the center piece!”

He struck his own pose and, diagonally hoisting a hangar and garment he had just dug out of his closet, said “Me too … I have (drum roll) the “professorial vest”! Yoohoo!

Then we got down to business … straightening the garage, trimming back three Yoshino cherry trees, two river birches, and two tea olives. (We were half crippled for two days after, but job well done.)

Then, we divvied up chores, and cleaned the house … a whole week ahead of our usual time frame. (Though we will end up hitting the toilets again 5 mins before everybody arrives.)

Then, we descended on Publix. Bought everything we could possibly need for Thanksgiving dinner, except last-minute fresh fruits and veggies. (2 biggy trips for me, 7 piddly — but essential — trips for Dan … plus he unloaded everything from my trips)

In and amongst all of this, I managed to design and order our Christmas cards, write a two-page annual letter (leaving room for a few last-minute lines), fold 50 cards when they arrived, + stuff, address, and stamp 45 envelopes — flaps open and waiting on the letter to be printed in early Dec.

I either no longer feel ten years older than I am, or I’m snorting something. (Though, possibly, the fried chicken livers and chocolate peanut butter squares — both made sooner than usual — are fueling me.)

Dan is taking care of the ham/tables/chairs/table cloths (and filling my wine glass). Jason/Dana: the turkey. Sara: pecan pies. Cait: croissants/strawberries.

I’m doing dressing + sweet potatoes today, pumpkin pies Wed, and broccoli casserole/green bean casserole/sweet potato casserole/mac-n-cheese/ creamed corn on Thanksgiving.

Everybody’s pitching in w/ Watergate salad/deviled eggs/cranberry sauce/Italian tomatoes, and setting the tables.    

Being ahead of the game is a little concerning … I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Oh, it’s just Dan — and his professorial vest …