GregHowley.com

Linda and I spent Thanksgiving this year alone, and it was kind of nice. Not that I wouldn't have preferred to spend it with family, but my family is all in Connecticut, and Linda's family is in Kentucky, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York.

We made the whole dinner. Actually, Linda made the whole dinner while I washed dishes, cut vegetables, and nearly cut my finger off. First time I've actually needed a Band-Aid in years. Twelve pound turkey filled with stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry compote, and fresh baguette I picked up at Par Avion in Colorado Springs. Yummy.

While the turkey was cooking, we sat at the table and put together a puzzle. Actually, Linda put together the puzzle. Having not attempted a puzzle since 3rd grade, I never realized how singularly bad I am at puzzles. I think I placed five pieces the entire time, while Linda assembled the rest of the thing.

So eventually, the turkey finished cooking, and I juggled with salad-tong-looking things to lift it from the oven rack onto the white plastic tray we'd serve it on. To ourselves. After putting the turkey on the table, we were both in the kitchen, getting the rest of the food when we heard a loud noise from the vicinity of the turkey. I rushed in, fearing that the cat had gotten it. But Bender was still asleep on a chair. After inspecting things, I decided that everything was okay, and went back to finish up in the kitchen. Two minutes later, another loud crack comes from the same area, and we both run to look. Seems that the white plastic tray we'd set the turkey on had cracked from the heat. Oh well. At least I didn't drop the turkey when I transferred it to a new plate.

Dinner was very good.