THE DRUMSTICK

Author © Jay Kantor

The Drumstick🍗

– A Family Tradition –

MOM: "Just put some Ketchup on it and Eat-It !"

Mom, such a character! She was a Huge-Hugger! She just wouldn’t let those she loved pass by without a little kiss or hug; so we just put-up-with-it! The spitting image of actress Betty White, always with the sparkling dimpled-smile. She served (2) terms as P.T.A. President. I don’t really know why, she never had much of a podium 'Schpiel' So-to-Speak. But, being very pretty and sociable probably made up for that?

— Or, nobody ran against her? Nah! —

As a 'creative' vegetarian. I've never been a fast-food out of the bag eater; presentation is 1/2 of the meal! Of course, we were 'reared' on mashed potatoes-gravy-giblets and the works, like most Boomers. But, I'm never tempted by the deluge of nightly dinner hour competitive triple cheese burgers/with bacon restaurants commercials jostling for my business; never happen!

In my youth ('yute in Rochesterisms) we often celebrated Thanksgiving at the Berg's where they had a very long (pieced together) table accommodating-squeezing in all the cousins and family members side-by-side. Before dusk we played baseball in their cul-de-sac–while accidentally smashing parked car windows! Gary Berg was always the outspoken family stick-ball-ump! He would rule, the girls couldn't play–the (5) Berg's had constant sibling rivalry–Kids could be cruel!

— Don't Fill-Up on the Cheap Stuff —

When called inside I put 'Dibs' 1st on getting one of the 'DRUMSTICKS' and others, including Twin-Larry got one, too; think we had a (3) legged turkey? In reality, as Joe Friday (Dragnet) once implied in his less than subtle remark: "Just the Facts Man!" The bony/stringy awkward-to-eat Drumstick was just awful. NO, it was just about 'winning' it. Of course, blatant sibling rivalry here, too!

When we were really young, also known as the pre-butt-digital camera era. One person handled the 35mm camera while another followed around holding a tangled cord, that wrapped around all of the guests, as he balanced a table-lamp to light-up the shots (really!). No sound, but lots of sign-language screams to get the light outta their eyes – and the cords from around their necks –

Currently, with the 'Meaties' on one side of the table making subtle attempts asking, "how could you eat THAT?" And, the 'Vegetarians' on the other side inferring, "how could YOU eat THAT?" Maybe they should stick to talking about the weather? Or, better yet, talk about what they are going to 'Get-Cheap' at the mall Black Friday events.

Never really understood WHY it would matter with others WHAT people chose to eat – or WHO they prefer to sleep with, for that matter –

Sister Vicki Lynn, 'The Maven Hostess' had every person she could gather (orphans and the like) to her 'big-table'. She would host her always fabulously scrumptious (only Vic-can-do-type-dishes) for all to over-stuff themselves.

— BELT loosening was a common sound —

Although, oddly, Vicki never sat down during these occasions. As the hostess she kept scooting back/forth into the kitchen making certain everyone was enjoying themselves. Even though she had hired people to help tote the feast.

Sis created a novel-approach to table guest interacting. So called: "The Musical Chair Dining Approach!" Whereby, every (15) minutes all guests would pick-up their plates and move (2) spaces to the right, in order to interact with others at the 'Long-Table'. A very nice method of exchange. I had never heard of anyone doing this before – or since –

— Food For Thought —

Lots of families are having fancy convenient-catering this time of year; easier that way. Or, "I don't have time to cook." But, it seems to me that putting the meal together along with the wonderful wafting aromas is a huge part of the holiday gatherings. Everyone pitches in. I was in charge of the pickle tray, including big-black olives/and celery sticks slathered with peanut butta' inside. Lucky-Lar got the stuffed deviled egg duty. Yech!

— It isn't about Fancy ~ It's about Family —

Jay Kantor, Chatsworth, Cal

'Senior' Vocal Author

For Our Kids Someday