I’m back “live” and it’s Carcass Day.

Hope you all had a pleasant Thanksgiving and are able to avoid the “Black Friday” crowds and “sales”.

Twas a quiet day for me and Mrs DT; she enjoys cooking a “Thanksgiving” meal: turkey, stuffing, all the sides … this year, the friends we normally give thanks with had scattered to the winds so it was just the two of us. No computers, no football, and unfortunately, no “good” holiday movies we cared to or were able to watch. So we watched some old B&W westerns that she’s grown fond of. Figure that …

Guess what I’m having for dinner the next few days …

Way back when I was a mere sprout living near Detroit, in the days of 3 (4 in our case) B&W TV stations, the family would gather to watch the Hudson’s Christmas Parade down Woodward. By the time Santa Claus got off his sleigh at Hudson’s main entrance, friends and relatives would begin to show up. Mom and other assorted females – related or not – would gather in the kitchen to prepare the meal while the men gathered around the TV set for football. The kitchen was off-limits to all; the kids were normally kicked outside if they weren’t watching football (sometimes even if they wanted to watch football) and the men did what men did when watching football with the women in a different room and the kids outside – even if it was snowing. Later I found out they didn’t do much of anything except play coach and quarterback – not an athlete among them (except Walt Kowalczyk after he retired)

If I recall correctly, the game was the Detroit Lions vs Somebody – a Thanksgiving tradition since 1934 – and started around noon. Dinner was served after the game, say about 2:30 or 3.

The kids were called in and plopped down at the kid’s table. It was usual that the kids were served to eliminate more pandemonium in the kitchen – and control portions. The adults served themselves buffet style and sat in the rarely used dining room and spilled over into the living room. Having 20-30 people around was not unusual; Mom loved to host social events.

By the mid-60s, Dallas got into the tradition with a Game 2, starting around 4 or 5PM. There was about an hour between games. If dinner wasn’t finished in that hour, the feast moved to the TV set for the Dallas game. One year – I forget which year, late 60s I suppose – and thereafter, I got to sit with the adults >>> 🙂 🙂 :).

I was all grown up by informal decree (until the next day).

Pie and other goodies were served during halftime of Game 2. Nibbles took place during the 2nd half. That game ended around 7, which began the splitting of the spoils. By 8:30 or so, all the visitors had left and once more, peace reigned in the household – “peace” being what was possible with 4 youngsters all spiked up on sugary desserts and no school on Friday.

The traditional large gatherings started to fade away by the 70s. My grandparents passed on as did some of the friends. I had moved on and was too far away to make it “home” and back in the time I had, and … time passes on; life … and death … happens.

“Black Friday” wasn’t really a thing back then; certainly not the nightmare it has become. By Monday, the town Christmas decorations were in place and my world and its surroundings concentrated on the coming holidays (school’s out!)

Sometimes, during the holidays, I wish I was 12 again …