Here's a little poem I just whipped up for you while waiting to go turn my turkey…it's been thawing since last Saturday!  I really thought I'd be good by now!

‘Twas the day of Thanksgiving, when all through the house

Just the parents were stirring…well, maybe the mouse.

The turkey was thawing in the sink with great care

In hopes it’d be ready before guests would be there.

The children had crashed and not just in their beds,

While visions of Medieval Times danced in their heads;

And Mom in her sweatshirt and Dad in ball cap

Had gotten up early…there was no time to nap!

When soon on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the kitchen to see what was the matter.

Away to the front door I flew like a flash –

The Dad was outside vacuuming up the car’s trash.

The sun rising up and sleepy neighbor’s too

‘Cause Daddy was bored…he had nothing to do!

When what to my wondering eye should appear

But a Black Friday newspaper full of ads, my dear.

With a proud little father, so bundled and quick,

I knew right away that there must be a trick.

More rapid than rattlers the ads, how they flew!

And the rustling of papers woke the entire crew.

First Walmart and Target and Kohl’s, then Best Buy

Next Michaels, then Macey’s…let’s give Bath and Body a try.

Get the turkey a cooking, mashed potatoes as well…

All those stores are a waiting with products to sell.

As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,

(Time to go turn the turkey, change the water…good-bye!)

So up in the morning the children they flew,

To find the best price for some gifts they would do.

And then, in an instant, I heard on the roof

Maybe Dad with the Christmas lights?  I needed proof.

As I dried off my hands and was turning around,

Into the house came the Dad with a bound.

He was all dressed in work clothes, with boots on his feet

Take a day off? No never! That would be a real feat!

A trash bag of recycle he had flung on his back

So into the car there’d be room for shopping bags to pack.

His eyes, they were tired, his mustache was frozen

Perhaps he would rather some other task to have chosen.

But his task, uncomplaining, he quickly went to.

The day was a wasting; there was still much to do.

But in spite of this story and the long day ahead,

All I wanted to do was crawl back into bed.

Crack open a Diet Coke and Pepperoni Hot Pocket

Get the frozen Rhodes out, make a list for the docket.

Make “pink stuff”, a cheese tray and wash the green beans;

Clear the table, make stuffing…do I have the means?

I will go straight to work, I will get sleep tomorrow

On Friday? Perhaps.  Folding chairs?  Need to borrow.

A big breakfast of pancakes, eggs and OJ – Mom you rock!

Happy Thanksgiving morning to all…it is just 8 o’clock!

It's a little short on the stanzas, but I just had to quit.  The dinner hour comes quickly…it arrives in a bit!

I will keep you posted on my great progress, or if I happen to get anything else done today!

One O'Clock PM update:

I have been guilted into cooking an additional dish for Thanksgiving Dinner…a Coke Ham!  Now, if you haven't ever had this before, you might think it sounds strange.  So did I the first time I cooked it about 28 years ago.  This is all you have to do:

Take a large, cheap ham…like a butt, bone in okay.  Take it out of the package, trim off any major chunks of fat (you don't HAVE to do this, but I don't think it needs to simmer in those juices) and stick in in a BIG pot…8 quart should do.  Next, pour a 2 liter bottle of Classic Coke over the top.  Turn it to high until it starts to boil, then turn it to low and cover with a lid.  Cook for at least 5-6 hours, but a little longer is better still.  Turn the ham periodically so that the Coke absorbs into the whole ham.  This is not a very pretty chunk of meat, but it tastes divine!