I always seem to take the last minute to pack a bag for Thanksgiving, but what do you need really to head home? Couple tee shirt’s, clean undies, your favorite shit to bring wherever you go and your all set to go. My bag is usually pretty light, but there are some suitcases that get tossed in the back of the family truckster that usually weigh a friggin ton compared to mine. With everything packed and ready to go, we left on another road trip back to NY. Which also has me wondering… Ever since I was born, I have been doing the trip from NY to NH, NH to NY, NY to ME and back to my home in Maine for a fifty years. The trip is a lot faster today than it was years ago. I think my parents told me that the trip used to take 12 hours. Can you imagine that? That is a real haul of time that you need to spend in a car, to get to a place you really want to get to. When you finally arrive, everyone is happy to see you. That’s what so special about traveling to my growing up home for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the best holiday for me. I get to see my whole family and just hang out for a few days with no agenda, relaxing, catching up with everyone. If your lucky, you may even go a see a band that plays music that get’s you all happy inside too. That’s another story.
I always make the last minute phone call home to see if there is anything special I need to pick up. Usually, its a couple of handles of Mr. Beam that does the trick there. Additionally, maybe a couple of other items for reserve stock. This year, I also brought some ingredients for a drink that one of my buddies told me about. Black Rickey. Jim Beam, Blackmaker Liqueur(root beer), and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky. It’s a drink that kind of grows on you. I’m not sure it was a hit. No one really asked for one. I think that most of them were scared. I need to perfect it and try presenting it again. I think it has potential. A couple years ago it was an Old Fashioned. That recipe became legendary.
When the big meal rolls around, there is an air of excitement in Mom and Dad’s home. Everyone’s has had a few goodies to get their stomach ready for a feast. I get to sit a the head of the table on the other end of the table. I’m the oldest and its at that moment I feel like a king. For me time slows down for a few seconds. The blessing is the best part. My Dad wrote the blessing this year. He had written a little something about everyone. Dad just loves having everyone around and encouraged Mom to take over reading the blessing. That was probably just a well, because my father has a diction that is quite remarkable. Sometimes Dad says something, and you know exactly was he meant, but the truth is, he totally butchered it with his own form of language. We call it Libisms. There is a list. Another story for another day.
I also went to see my sister in law this weekend. I really want to mention her because she(Jane) lives in a state hospital. It’s tough going to see a loved one in such a place. It really make you stop and and think about so many things that we all should be thankful for.
The next day is equally as gastronomical. On one of the days, post Thanksgiving, we have a Polish nite. You can’t believe this round of food. Homemade Pierogi (Polish pronunciation: [pjɛˈrɔɡʲi] , a dough dumpling stuffed with a filling such as potato or cheese, typically served with onions or sour cream. This year we made a lazy pierogi. It was like a lasagna. Side dishes included are: Cabbage and noodles, sleva fletchi(totally butchered the name I need to find out the real spelling), but it is more cabbage with meat, onions tomato sauce and salsa. (It is so good), and finally kielbasa. Eat a load of this stuff and you go stand in a bar for 5 hours. You will rip yourself a new one if you are kind to everyone in the bar and hold it in for the entire time. Explosive. It was epic. It made people laugh.
I must close now… To all my family and friends, I really am truly grateful to be within your inner circles. This weekend has made me truly realize that I am a lucky man.
Clyde Liberte´
( )==;=::
