The sweet smells wafting from the kitchen, the turkey cooking, the women of the clan present, stern-faced and frazzled in last minute time-juggling between kitchen duty and getting dressed for the soon arriving family and friends.

It’s no place for man nor beast. I’ve done my duty. Ice in the ice bucket, fire set and ready for the match, shaved and dressed, but the Lions and Packers’ game is still an hour away. Staying underfoot is out of the question. The sun is not yet over the yardarm, and the bar is by the kitchen in direct view of wife Dorothy and daughter Jenny. “Don’t even think about it, George.”

Tossing the football around used to be a way to pass the time. The grandchildren are in Long Island with their parents and other grandparents. And besides, I’d have to throw an underhand lateral; among other things, my shoulder is shot, and running out for a pass is out of the question!

I’m content to reread, “Thanksgiving Day Turkey Shoot – 1944,” a chapter from The Rogue’s Road to Retirement, hunkered down in my office with the door closed, and wait for the 12 o’clock whistle (when adult beverages are finally allowed!) reveling in the memories of happy times gone by. Happy Thanksgiving one and all! Enjoy this reverie of family holidays gone amok. You’ll feel much better about your own clan! 🙂

https://redriderfi.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/thanksgiving-day-turkey-shoot-%E2%80%93-1944/