My mind is wandering. The chaos of the holidays is especially confusing this year and of course I can blame it all on the pandemic.
Is the Covid-19 pandemic evolving or devolving? Is it now called endemic because the cases are going down? Or is it because the numbers of hospital stays are decreasing? Or is it the number of deaths? Or maybe things are not improving at all.
They say there is a new “variant” emerging that could be faster at spreading than ever and maybe more lethal. Or is it? Boosters might help or might not. Hunkering down again might help or might not. Should I wear a mask all the time or just in public or just among the unvaccinated? Should it be made of cloth or what?
Really I have more important things to think about. Almost my whole family are coming for Thanksgiving. Who will bring what or cook what and how will we all be seated? My mind is wandering.
It is not even Halloween yet but I already have plans for Thanksgiving. Planning is the secret.
- I will make a big beautiful chocolate bundt cake the day before. That is in case there is a pumpkin shortage. They are predicting shortages you know and pumpkin is one (due to some sort of fungus on the crops… or is it a dearth of trucks for transport?). I do love pumpkin pie but chocolate will take the yearning away if need be. I have all the cake ingredients now so Ready-Get Set-Go!
- I will also make my own favorite cranberry salad two days ahead to give it time to set and merge. There is a joke in the family about the grand who added 3 cups of sugar to the salad making it inedible. Not this time although she has graciously offered to make it again!
- But just in case there is a problem or a shortage of cranberries we have two cans of the jellied version – the old fashioned kind we used to get when I was a child.
- I will also make my own favorite veggies with carrots and turnips the day before.
- We are stocked up with Stovetop Stuffing.
- There is nothing like instant mashed potatoes nowadays but I will have a bag of real potatoes on hand just in case.
- My friend reminded me of the merits in making a marinated salad so forget the green bean casserole.
- That only leaves the turkey and gravy!
And there you have it. This is what happens when my mind wanders.
Now onto Christmas!
Virginia Views 
My mind doesn’t wander as productively as yours. That’s great that y’all are going to get together for Thanksgiving. You’re going to have a marvelous gathering.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are definitely ahead of the game. I’m still wondering if we’ll get trick and treaters at our new house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re smart to plan ahead, Dor. Best to be prepared!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You certainly have Thanksgiving under control.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My mind wanders to food as well. Already planning Christmas Eve party.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve not noticed a pumpkin shortage — there are piles of them everywhere, and plenty of the canned for making pies — but we’re still waiting for the cranberry crop to show up in the stores. It’s a little early, perhaps. Unfortunately, I’ve already used the ones I bought last year and froze. Cranberries: they’re not just for Thanksgiving any more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are too remote for trick or treaters…. have had none in over 30 years!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We cannot get the fresh cranberries here yet either. Hence, the canned jellied version is in my pantry for emergency.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would suit me. At the last place I got stuck with tons of candy a few times so we started to turn the lights out and go out for dinner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoy your loved ones xo
LikeLiked by 1 person