Packing a couple of suitcases-just enough clothes for a four-day stay-Papa and I checked all the doors and windows, then headed out to garage and loaded up our suitcases. Backing out of the garage, I mentally checked over our list of things to take and things to do before we left. Just as the garage door touched down, I asked Papa,
"Did you put the cat out?"
Back in the car again, we start down the drive and Papa asks, "Did you remember your water pills?"
Back behind the wheel again, we sit and go over our list of do's and don'ts before I turn the key on this time. I think we have everything, clothes, toothbrushes, heavy coats-it's much colder up near the Missouri border-and water pills. After closing the garage down for the third time, we have finally made it down the drive to the highway.
"Don't ask me if we have forgotten anything else, because I'm not going back." Papa is a bit testy now. So I just give him the look. Then smiling sweetly I turn onto the highway and go North to our daughter's home for her-first-time-ever-to-cook Thanksgiving Dinner.
I had always cooked dinner at our house for our three children and their families so this year was a much-looked-forward-to break from the kitchen and the aftermath. If you have ever cooked for a large family, then you know what it's like-you wash dishes three times as you cook and at least twice afterward! And the cooking. My, oh, my! You have to start cooking the night before! I was curious to see how my daughter fared, this being her first time.
 Three hours later we entered her front door to the smell of warm pumpkin pie, turkey in the oven, fresh baked yeast rolls-goodness, I'm getting hungry! There is nothing like the smell of Thanksgiving or Christmas cooking on a cold winter's day. Eggnog and Hot toddies (no alcohol for me, please) but the smell is incredible. Freshly baked pies and cookies and loving smiles all around. Family gatherings are wonderful.
Heads bow all around the table and Papa says grace. "Thank you, Lord, for this bountiful table and bless this family as we sit together in Your loving grace. Amen."
Then everyone begins to talk at once as the food is passed around. My daughter's husband stands at the head of the table and smiles as he begins to carve the guest of honor, a huge beautifully browned and luscious looking turkey. Looking around the table, I pick up the gravy boat and pour gravy onto my mashed potatoes. The gravy looks a bit strange-not like my gravy.
"Dear, where are the giblets?" I look questioningly at my daughter.
"Where's the neck?" Papa always wants the turkey neck-his favorite part of the turkey.
Her mouth full; my daughter can't speak right away, so she just frowns and looks around the table.
"Whaaa….?" She finally manages around the yeast roll on which she's munching.
Oh, dear. We all look at the turkey. Sure enough, my son-in-law digs his hand into the turkey innards and pulls out a bag still filled with the turkey parts.
Then all eyes go to my daughter. Her face has turned bright red to match her sweater.
"Nobody told me." She had finally emptied her mouth, as we all had or we would certainly have choked from laughing so hard.
I guess the moral of this little pre-Thanksgiving Day tale is to remember to remove the turkey giblets from the bag-before cooking the turkey. You will need some of them to put in the gravy. Rest assured that your mother or mother-in-law will be quick to notice if they are missing!
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Sandra E. Graham, author, AMOS JAKEY and NICOLINA published by American Book Publishing. I also write book reviews for authors through Book Pleasures. Visit my website for more information on my books that are in print now and reviews I have written.
http://www.sandragraham-articles-books.com
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