We often think of random things -- many of them quite stupid. One of our favorites is, if we could only keep one of the following, which would it be: the grill, the computer (including internet) or the television. Almost always, the grill is the first to go, followed by the internet. Pathetic as it sounds, the television brings us pure joy -- and a lot of it.
But with the Patriots having played last Thursday and our interest in the pathetic Eagles waning by the second, yesterday we did the unthinkable. We went the entire day without even turning on the TV. (It was finally awakened around 6:30 PM, when the family watched the fourth quarter of the Steelers-Chargers game).
Having stayed up until 1:30 AM (watching UCLA and Washington, following BC/Florida State) yesterday morning , we slept in "late" -- a relative term as that means 7:15 AM. We went to Dunkin' Donuts with The Playmaker while The Mrs. took our daughter (gotta get a catchy name for her...) to CCD and then did the grocery shopping. After breakfast and the sports page, we supervised The Playmaker finishing his birthday thank you cards before heading off to Whole Foods. We wanted to have dry run on the upcoming Thanksgiving Meal -- and last year's turkey came from Whole Foods and was exquisite.
(Two quickies on Whole Foods. In the last year we have been there three times -- once yesterday and twice last November for Thanksgiving reasons. Two observations: We have yet to see a woman there who wears make-up. Second, it seems like only over-grown hippies from the '60s shop there. And for a bonus observation, the prices there are a tad, ahem, S-T-E-E-P.)
Anywho...we blew through $40 on a turkey that was: A. Young B. Fresh C. Wild. (We took all of this to mean it would taste great...less filling) Once back at home, we plunked the $40 bird in the fridge, grabbed some lunch (grilled cheeses for the kids, turkey pitas for the non-kids) and then started a fire in the fireplace.
For the next four hours, we just lounged in front of the fireplace. We looked at the finances. We read the latest issue of Wired (love that magazine!). We played with the puppy. We played Top It with The Playmaker and then UNO with our daughter (The Brain? The Chosen One? The Future Lawyer? Feel free to send us obnoxious/ego maniacal nicknames.) We took some notes on what Santa will be bringing (as the goal is to have shopping wrapped up before December 1). Around 2:45 we took the $40 bird, slathered some sage butter under its skin, and put him in the oven. At 5:00, the thermometer said he was done (160 degrees) and we deftly carved him while our daughter (The Princess of Multiplication Facts?!?) set the table and The Mrs. finished up the peas and mashed potatoes.
Unfortunately, the turkey was dry. Dry as in arid dry. Hmm...unlike Thanksgiving 2007, we did not brine it for 24 hours. And our digital thermometer was not working, so we had to go with an old fashioned one. We can only hope that those two easily-correctable things were the problem. style="font-family:verdana;color:#000099;">
Still, the day was an utter success. We feel mentally healthier having survived our TV Detox. It was surely good for the soul.
(Plus, there's always tonight to get reacquainted with our beloved Old Friend.)
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