Fine Turkey, Greasy Burgers, and Best Wishes

When we were first married, and until the oldest was almost ten years old, give or take, we would always be out of town for Christmas. Generally, we would spend Christmas Day and perhaps the day or two prior with my parents. Then, we'd be off to celebrate Cuppa's family.

When my parents moved to be near us, our place became the new Christmas Day venue although for about another ten years, we would still trek to Toronto on Boxing Day or the day after that to celebrate the season with Cuppa's much larger clan. Nevertheless, we have had Christmas in our own house since then and up until last year when the celebratory site shifted to Butterfly's place.

We will gather there, at my daughter's house, on Christmas Eve, and she will put out snack foods of all sorts. We'll probably play at least one game of Trivial Pursuit, and, in all likelihood, we'll also watch Scrooge, or A Christmas Carol, if you prefer. We have watched one version or other for many, many years. The two favourites are the old Alistair Simm version and the somewhat newer George C Scott productions. There are others, but we gravitate to those two. Sometimes, we watch both but not usually, and we sometimes watch on Christmas Day rather than Christmas Eve.

Once we did start having Christmas at our place, it wasn't long before Cuppa decided that, in order to have more peaceful and less harried Christmas Day, she should cook the turkey a day ahead of time. It has worked well, and the turkey tastes just as good, believe me. Because the cooking of the bird becomes the primary focus of the day of Christmas Eve, we are not always attuned to preparing other meals.

And so, another tradition, or semi tradition, began to emerge — for me to bring in a fast food meal at lunch time. For whatever reason, perhaps because it was the restaurant (if that's not too strong a word) closest to us in Sarnia, I usually chose Burger King. Well, this is a small town; there is no Burger King, no Wendy's, no McDonalds, not even a Pizza Hut. Unfortunately, there is a KFC; fortunately, there is a Harvey's. Harvey's is a Canadian burger chain which, as far as I know, predates all of the others in this country. So, that's where I obtained our seasonal greasy burger today.

We had let this tradition fall by the wayside in recent few years because the family seemed to have been gathered around on turkey-cooking-day, and we probably had cold meats and fresh rolls at hand and in abundance. Today, however, Cuppa and I were alone again on turkey-cooking-day, and we felt it high time to revive this semi-tradition. It was rather pleasant revisitation. We hardly ever go to burger joints anymore, but it's it's still a bit of a treat on rare occasions.

Yes, I know that it isn't Christmas Eve today, but the younger daughter and her friend will be arriving from Toronto this evening, so we'd like to get the bird done in order to spend as much time as possible with family tomorrow.

And so, with all of that palaver behind me, let me wish you a final Merry Christmas by posting another card, unanimated this time, below. I used this one two years ago. I notice that after a slow-down for the past few days that the blogs are busy today. I assume that many are making their final pre-Christmas post — as am I — so perhaps you will find time to stop by.

Best wishes to all. May you find a goodly measure of cheer and joy over the next few days. If you are fortunate enough to find yourself surrounded by dear family and/or friends, may you treasure each moment. If not, may you still find the warmth and goodwill of the season glowing within your heart.

Whatever else be lost among the years,

Let us keep Christmas still a shining thing.

Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears,

Let us hold close one day,

remembering its poignant meaning for the hearts of men.

Let us get back our childlike faith again.

Grace N Crowell