Thanksgiving

[Ava]

Nov 12, 2020 20:13:47 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Nov 12, 2020 8:39:43 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Sadly, it will be the same for Christmas.  That will be harder for many families.

People around here won't even be wearing masks for Thanksgiving so that should go well.

TG will be spend by myself and I am fine with that, despite the fact that I will really miss spending time with my adopted  American family. Xmas will be hard. It will be the first time in my entire life that I will be alone for that holiday. We will have a Zoom gift exchange/unwrapping event with DS2 and family, and DS1 and fiancee will join us from S'pore. So as good as it can get all things considered but far from real fu n. No snuggling with little boys, no request for the Grinch song for the umpteenth time that day (this might sound like an upside but that also means no giggling little guy),  no "sharing" of my desert with them , etc. etc., etc.

There is always 2021 to look forward to 

I have my "adopted family" nearby to spend TG and Christmas with.
But I generally spend Christmas and most of January back home.
It won't happen this year and I'm already feeling sad about it.

There's also the long weekend after TG. Nothing to do and nowhere to go. It doesn't help that my birthday is two days before TG with, again, nothing to do and nowhere to go. I'll probably stay home during the day on B day and go for dinner to my adopted family. I'll bake myself a cake and order from a local restaurant for our dinner.

I'm trying to come up with a list of things to do during the long weekend after TG so I don't just sit here watching Netflix and feeling miserable. In nice weather I could go to the park or the beach but it's probably going to be cold here in the Northeast.
I can bake the cookies for the holidays, read a book I have been postponing. etc.

[thyme4change]

With Christmas being 4 weeks after Thanksgiving, it will be just in time to give the spike from Thanksgiving another boost. January and February will be a freaking mess.

So, what is Georgia doing? It is the only state in green.

[Lizard Queen]

Nov 13, 2020 11:20:05 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

With Christmas being 4 weeks after Thanksgiving, it will be just in time to give the spike from Thanksgiving another boost. January and February will be a freaking mess.

So, what is Georgia doing? It is the only state in green.

They're saying we're in a third wave, but I think it's really a second wave that is hitting different states at different times. Georgia is already done with their huge second wave, and are currently in a trough. Since it was more recent, the virus is probably running into some acquired immunity from more recent infections there.
I know in my state, we're still on the rising side of the second wave. I think a lot of states are. Some may actually be in their first wave (Utah?). So basically, these waves are just hitting different states at different times. We're too big of a country to get much from lumping everyone together.

[Deleted]

thyme4change and Lizard Queen   Georgia's doing nothing except rising like the incoming tide. There's a hitch in the git-along software, and that's why it's showing up like cases are down by 50% or more. They aren't. Yesterday we were at 2547 new cases, up from 1700+ on Wednesday.

[jerseygirl]

Middle of country is ‘red’ while coasts have fewer cases. Virus is hitting places in delay from first terrible wave, thankfully physicians know how to treat this better now, more effective drugs and vaccine is coming. But even if death rate is down this disease has terrible damage. Starting to increase also on coasts as weather gets colder and people move indoors.
Hoping by next summer cases will be much fewer

[Lizard Queen]

Nov 13, 2020 11:44:49 GMT -5 @missrigby said:

thyme4change and Lizard Queen   Georgia's doing nothing except rising like the incoming tide. There's a hitch in the git-along software, and that's why it's showing up like cases are down by 50% or more. They aren't. Yesterday we were at 2547 new cases, up from 1700+ on Wednesday.

Michigan is currently running at between 6000-7000 new cases/day.

[Deleted]

Deaths are a lagging indicator of hospitalizations.

We have record hospitalizations and the death count is expected to soon pass the numbers seen in the first wave.

The current projection is 200,000 cases and 2,000+ deaths a day by Thanksgiving.

Not to mention 20% of people hospitalized end up with Long-Covid.

The US currently has 65,000+ people hospitalized with it. That's a lot more long-covid cases, even if they don't end up dying.

[TheOtherMe]

Iowa had over 5000 new cases today.  Yet another new record.

[Deleted]

I've spent holidays, including Christmas, alone.

I think having some plans for the day/weekend is a really wise idea. It really helps. 

I chose to turn a bummer alone day into a day of doing something I like. I generally get in the car and go find somewhere to hike. Even if there's snow, there's something about getting out in nature and taking charge of the day that really does help. 

[giramomma]

Nov 13, 2020 12:06:41 GMT -5 @shastasnewlife said:

I've spent holidays, including Christmas, alone.

I think having some plans for the day/weekend is a really wise idea. It really helps. 

I chose to turn a bummer alone day into a day of doing something I like. I generally get in the car and go find somewhere to hike. Even if there's snow, there's something about getting out in nature and taking charge of the day that really does help. 

While we didn't spend holidays completely alone, usually it was just me and my parents. I have no siblings, neither does my mom.

Even now, I do tend to gravitate towards hunkering down with my nuclear family.

With folks having less kids, now, I assume that large holiday celebrations will eventually be a thing of the past, anyway.

So, my empathy meter is a little broken regarding being sad over not having big get to gethers for the holidays.

[Lizard Queen]

My family was ousted from the bigger family Christmas/Thanksgiving almost 2 decades ago. I really don't much give a shit about Christmas any more, and also find Thanksgiving a chore as my husband and I are stuck hosting every year, while my MIL takes her 30 seconds to make green bean casserole at our place (taking up our microwave that we need for other things), and my brother brings a dessert or pop or something easy as well. Let's just say, it's not a whole lot of fun for us. A little bit more contribution to dinner would be nice. My DH is terrible with timing (meaning, I have to direct and be on top of everything), and half the food gets cold while we're furiously trying to get the other stuff ready, and my MIL plops herself in the way in the middle of the kitchen, running her mouth. I mean, if you're not really going to help, get the fuck out of the way and quit distracting my husband so he can stay on task.

[Deleted]

Dang, Lizard Queen! You and your DH sound to me like the perfect candidates for that Cracker Barrel pickup. When choosing the veggies, be sure to order the green bean casserole so that your MIL will stay outta the kitchen

[Lizard Queen]

Bwahaha! I thought about it, but cracker barrel is 35-40 miles away. Plus, we'd need to feed 9-10.

[Deleted]

Nov 13, 2020 12:43:55 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Bwahaha! I thought about it, but cracker barrel is 35-40 miles away. Plus, we'd need to feed 9-10.

35-40 miles away? Geez, when we lived out West, we'd run over to Tucson to have lunch with aunt and uncle. It was only 300 miles. Breakfast at home, two-hour lunch in Tucson, supper at home. NBD.

It'll take you how long to get there and home again? And take you how long to cook T'Day dinner yourself?

Order the one that serves 8-10. Believe me, the portions are extremely generous, as they are when you eat in their restaurant.

[Lizard Queen]

Nov 13, 2020 12:54:38 GMT -5 @missrigby said:

Nov 13, 2020 12:43:55 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Bwahaha! I thought about it, but cracker barrel is 35-40 miles away. Plus, we'd need to feed 9-10.

35-40 miles away? Geez, when we lived out West, we'd run over to Tucson to have lunch with aunt and uncle. It was only 300 miles. Breakfast at home, two-hour lunch in Tucson, supper at home. NBD.

It'll take you how long to get there and home again? And take you how long to cook T'Day dinner yourself?

Order the one that serves 8-10. Believe me, the portions are extremely generous, as they are when you eat in their restaurant.

An hour and a half. Probably $8-10 in gas. I only make $22.50/hour, and it would probably cost half or less to DIY. I'm buying gravy this year though, as I find that a total PITA.

[happyhoix]

Nov 13, 2020 11:44:49 GMT -5 @missrigby said:

thyme4change and Lizard Queen   Georgia's doing nothing except rising like the incoming tide. There's a hitch in the git-along software, and that's why it's showing up like cases are down by 50% or more. They aren't. Yesterday we were at 2547 new cases, up from 1700+ on Wednesday.

Yep. We’re in the top left side of the state, a suburb of Chattanooga, and cases are doubling every day there.

It’s every man for himself. I told DH we’re going back to picking up groceries from the Walmart drive through, to try to avoid the maskless wonders in the store

[stillmovingforward]

Our state just enacted a 14 day quarantine for people coming in from out of state. I wonder what's next?
On the whole, i'm glad. Our numbers aren't off the charts like some states but they are high enough!

[NastyWoman]

Nov 13, 2020 12:19:31 GMT -5 giramomma said:

Nov 13, 2020 12:06:41 GMT -5 @shastasnewlife said:

I've spent holidays, including Christmas, alone.

I think having some plans for the day/weekend is a really wise idea. It really helps. 

I chose to turn a bummer alone day into a day of doing something I like. I generally get in the car and go find somewhere to hike. Even if there's snow, there's something about getting out in nature and taking charge of the day that really does help. 

While we didn't spend holidays completely alone, usually it was just me and my parents. I have no siblings, neither does my mom.

Even now, I do tend to gravitate towards hunkering down with my nuclear family.

With folks having less kids, now, I assume that large holiday celebrations will eventually be a thing of the past, anyway.

So, my empathy meter is a little broken regarding being sad over not having big get to gethers for the holidays.

I am an October baby so I was only a few months old at my first Xmas. And while getting together for Xmas has at times involved extensive (international) travel, my 70th Xmas will be the first I will spend by myself and that does make me sad. Still I do realize that in many ways my life has been blessed just to be able to say I was with family for that many holidays

[giramomma]

Nov 13, 2020 15:27:10 GMT -5 NastyWoman said:

Nov 13, 2020 12:19:31 GMT -5 giramomma said:

I am an October baby so I was only a few months old at my first Xmas. And while getting together for Xmas has at times involved extensive (international) travel, my 70th Xmas will be the first I will spend by myself and that does make me sad. Still I do realize that in many ways my life has been blessed just to be able to say I was with family for that many holidays

I understand it's hard to spend Christmas alone if you aren't used to it.

I'm just not being clear, I guess. Which, isn't that all surprising.

[CCL]

Nov 13, 2020 12:43:55 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Bwahaha! I thought about it, but cracker barrel is 35-40 miles away. Plus, we'd need to feed 9-10.

Only 9-10? I usually have 20-30 lol. Christmas is close to 30 every year. Not this one, though.

[Lizard Queen]

Nov 13, 2020 15:54:10 GMT -5 CCL said:

Nov 13, 2020 12:43:55 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Bwahaha! I thought about it, but cracker barrel is 35-40 miles away. Plus, we'd need to feed 9-10.

Only 9-10? I usually have 20-30 lol. Christmas is close to 30 every year. Not this one, though.

Yup, it's small these days. I miss the days when we got together with aunt/cousins. It was big then. Then my family pretty much fell apart. We split off from aunt's family, DB got divorced, DS went off the deep end, then DS went off the rails, then dad died, and it was too much to host everybody by myself plus take care of my mom. So that's where it's left. Sorry--probably TMI. I will try to be grateful for having a little family left to celebrate with. And they probably wouldn't celebrate at all without us. So it's still on, even this year.

[Tennesseer]

It is inevitable that past family gatherings will get smaller over time.  The children at those past family gatherings grew up and had families of their own and began their own family traditions with their now new extended families.

[weltschmerz]

Nov 13, 2020 11:46:21 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Middle of country is ‘red’ while coasts have fewer cases. Virus is hitting places in delay from first terrible wave, thankfully physicians know how to treat this better now, more effective drugs and vaccine is coming. But even if death rate is down this disease has terrible damage. Starting to increase also on coasts as weather gets colder and people move indoors.
Hoping by next summer cases will be much fewer

I'm reasonably certain California is on the coast.

Coronavirus: California hits one million cases as outbreaks grow across US

www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54935700

I'm also pretty sure that Texas is on the Gulf Coast.

Texas becomes first U.S. state to top 1M coronavirus cases amid nationwide surges

globalnews.ca/news/7456903/texas-tops-1-million-coronavirus-cases/

[irishpad]

Nov 13, 2020 13:16:47 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Nov 13, 2020 12:54:38 GMT -5 @missrigby said:

35-40 miles away? Geez, when we lived out West, we'd run over to Tucson to have lunch with aunt and uncle. It was only 300 miles. Breakfast at home, two-hour lunch in Tucson, supper at home. NBD.

It'll take you how long to get there and home again? And take you how long to cook T'Day dinner yourself?

Order the one that serves 8-10. Believe me, the portions are extremely generous, as they are when you eat in their restaurant.

An hour and a half. Probably $8-10 in gas. I only make $22.50/hour, and it would probably cost half or less to DIY. I'm buying gravy this year though, as I find that a total PITA.

Invite me over, I'm a gravy master

[Lizard Queen]

Nov 13, 2020 16:24:15 GMT -5 irishpad said:

Nov 13, 2020 13:16:47 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

An hour and a half. Probably $8-10 in gas. I only make $22.50/hour, and it would probably cost half or less to DIY. I'm buying gravy this year though, as I find that a total PITA.

Invite me over, I'm a gravy master

Come on over! I'm just a hip, skip, and a jump away!

[irishpad]

Nov 13, 2020 17:18:13 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Nov 13, 2020 16:24:15 GMT -5 irishpad said:

Invite me over, I'm a gravy master

Come on over! I'm just a hip, skip, and a jump away!

Lol, yeah only a few hundred miles.    My favorite gravy to make is with turkey when I have done the turkey on a charcoal Weber grill.  The gravy has a rich, smoky flavor to it.   I use all the juice so that I have leftover gravy for days.   I always use a fat separator with any meat juice that I'm going to use for gravy.   Works great.  

[Lizard Queen]

Nov 13, 2020 18:06:21 GMT -5 irishpad said:

Nov 13, 2020 17:18:13 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Come on over! I'm just a hip, skip, and a jump away!

Lol, yeah only a few hundred miles.    My favorite gravy to make is with turkey when I have done the turkey on a charcoal Weber grill.  The gravy has a rich, smoky flavor to it.   I use all the juice so that I have leftover gravy for days.   I always use a fat separator with any meat juice that I'm going to use for gravy.   Works great.  

And a short swim...

I've seen those. So, you like to use that eh,? I'll keep an eye out for one on sale. I did get too much fat in the gravy last year. It also gets too salty because we brine the turkey. The two things that bug me the most about making gravy, though, is forgetting about it, and then I'm in a rush trying to make it at the last minute, and getting the drippings out of the roaster, which is huge and heavy.

[Tennesseer]

Nov 13, 2020 18:06:21 GMT -5 irishpad said:

Nov 13, 2020 17:18:13 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Come on over! I'm just a hip, skip, and a jump away!

Lol, yeah only a few hundred miles.    My favorite gravy to make is with turkey when I have done the turkey on a charcoal Weber grill.  The gravy has a rich, smoky flavor to it.   I use all the juice so that I have leftover gravy for days.   I always use a fat separator with any meat juice that I'm going to use for gravy.   Works great.  

My mom made the best turkey giblet gravy for the holidays. As a kid I would walk past the pan with the giblet gravy and scoop out a couple tablespoons worth of it. I always got scolded for it.

[Tennesseer]

In case anyone is thinking of hosting a virtual Thanksgiving meal, some good advice in the link.

How to host a virtual Thanksgiving Dinner

[Deleted]

My DIL PMed me to say that since I was skipping Thanksgiving, would I like to come over next week to celebrate my oldest grandson's birthday?  Skipping Thanksgiving was my decision, but my ex decided they should have a big family dinner at the farm so she was put in the awkward position of not inviting me.  My decision prevented that, but she was upfront about what my ex wanted.

I appreciate the invite, but I don't see the difference.  Two kids have already been quarantined this school year (they have four), and I will just be getting off quarantine from exposure to my daughter's oldest daughter.  I said that.  If they want to do dessert on the deck, I can do that.  But I cannot go into their house.  

Penny and I did decorate for Thanksgiving, though.  Not much . . . just the dining room and some kitchen towels.  Since no one else will see it, I'm going to post some pictures.