NO TURKEY, NO PIE

Murphy's law - if it can go wrong, it will.

Over the years, there is a holiday when things tend to go wrong. The holiday is Thanksgiving, It amazes me too. As there is always something to be thankful for. However, when things do go wrong, the cause is almost always something that we have no control over.

Such as an appliance failure, seven unexpected guests arriving, a home heating system dying in the midst of a cold snap on a November day, naturally, right before Thanksgiving, and the weather that disrupts the best plans. Is it jinx or hijinks?

The appliance failure.

Glowing white or red, the light color is irrelevant. The oven light was on. That's a fact! Unfortunately, the light was the only thing that was working on the oven. Checking the oven temperature several times, it was obviously not getting hot. Not even warm.

Agast, the Thanksgiving turkey wasn't roasting. Keeping in mind, this was my first Thanksgiving in Hawaii.

Admittedly, as an eighteen-year-old, my cooking skills were elementary. Neophyte, yes! Chef, no way! Of course, the hubby volunteered me to do the cooking for his well-to-do friends that Thanksgiving.

In reality, the wealthy couple was his mom's best friend Adele from Seattle, and her Hawaiian husband, DeeDee. Since their oven unexpectedly ceased working, they decided that we would go out to eat.

By this time, rumbling sounds were beginning, yet, I was comfortable and happy to sit in the back seat of their new Cadillac Eldorado while the hubby drove their car.

While it wasn't turkey with all the trimmings, it wasn't Chinese take-out either. As the day came to a close, we had a good time and we were stuffed.

It happens.

Surprise! It only happens in the movies. Wrong! As we were about to leave for my daughter's small apartment to celebrate the holiday, seven unexpected visitors showed up at our front door step on Thanksgiving Day. Unfortunately, the young couple with their five children were from out of town. They weren't able to communicate with my daughter-in-law. What could we do? There was only one option. We invited them to follow us to my daughter's apartment. As they say, the more the merrier.

Amazingly, we had plenty of turkey and side dishes. While some might not have had pie. Was thankful that my daughter had a good supply of cookies and candy on hand. Indeed, all twelve of us had a fabulous Thanksgiving and we were stuffed and thankful.

No heat!

We moved into our new home in July. After four short months, a cold snap hit North Texas. Yep! Our heating system died. While it would have been awesome to have Thanksgiving in our new home that wasn't meant to be. With borrowed space heaters, we were able to prepare food at home.

Our only course of action was to load Thanksgiving dinner in the trunk of the car and travel to our backup gathering location which was my friend's mother's home. Having much to be thankful for, we had a terrific Thanksgiving Day.

The following year.

At our new home, Buddy deep-fried a turkey which was the centerpiece for our Thanksgiving feast along with four pies for dessert. With our stomachs full, we watched the Cowboy's football game on TV.

While it wasn't 70 inches of snow over 24 hours, snow and sleet can put the kibosh on Thanksgiving plans.

A throwback! Remembering it like it was yesterday, the year was 1993. Next year, will mark thirty years. Thanksgiving was on the 25th of November. FD, my friend, was going to pick me up. We would celebrate Thanksgiving and have dinner at his parent's home. We definitely had plans.

As I recall, before my son left to be with his dad, he made me some gingerbread. To be exact, it was gingerbread people.

Late morning on Thanksgiving, my daughter called me with some cooking questions. After the call, there was a noticeable chill in the apartment so increased the thermostat to 74 degrees.

Conveniently, the apartment faced the freeway. With a clear view of LBJ freeway, was astonished that there was no traffic. As a matter of fact, you could have walked across the six lanes of the highway. Those familiar could corroborate that this wasn't normal.

Pressing my nose to the window, it began to snow. The wind outside was picking up. Watching the clock, and it was nearing the time for FD to pick me up. Making a quick call, he answered on the third ring. He was having second thoughts about traveling in inclement weather. It was understandable. I wasn't comfortable about getting out in the weather.

Knock! Knock! What a surprise! FD was outside the front door. Traveling approximately two and a half miles, he made it. It was beginning to sleet. The roads were treacherous and we agreed that he should call his parents to let them know that he was safe and that we wouldn't be able to make it to their house.

Nevertheless, we were thankful that we could be together. Recalling, FD brought me Tin Roof ice cream. At the time, it was my favorite. We had gingerbread and ice cream for Thanksgiving. No turkey! No pie!

Of course, what is Thanksgiving without a football game?

Luckily, the television was working. We watched the football game. It looked like the Cowboy's were going to win. But, there were seconds on the clock. The Dolphins kicked a field goal, but it was blocked. Lett, a Cowboy's player, started moving toward the football.

Lett touched the football. Game over? No! Because Lett slipped on the ice and touched the football, the Dolphins were given a second chance to kick the field goal. The field goal was good and the Dolphins win the game. It was an unforgettable ending. It's not how we wanted the game to end.

The 1993 Thanksgiving football game has gone down in history as an embarrassing moment for Lett. In case you didn't know, the Cowboy's went on to win the Super Bowl game that year. As for Lett, years later, he joined the Cowboy's coaching staff.

This only goes to prove that embarrassing things happen, but it's not the end of the world.

Things happen that we have no control over. When they do, it's both jinx and hijinks. It's best to relax and enjoy the day.

Now, can I have some pie?

Happy Thanksgiving!