Editor's Corner

Hello to those of you who are working at least part of this week! It is Thanksgiving soon, probably my favorite holiday: a time of good meals with friends and family.

But then again, I am not sure why it is my favorite holiday, because since I was younger, I’ve had some Thanksgivings that were everything from strange to horrifying. Today is my effort to help you remember that perfection is a myth, and that bad things happen to good people.

So, my Thanksgiving fun started in my teen years. My parents divorced and we were supposed to celebrate at my mom’s boyfriend’s house. The turkey was in the oven, and I was moping around like an angry teenager. Suddenly, the power went out in the cold, wet Seattle autumn, and we were turkeyless. Not to worry! We went to the International District and had Chinese food next to the site of the Wah Mee Massacre.

Then there was the time that my brother and I were dragged to the house of a woman my dad was dating. I think all of Nantucket was there from the East Coast, and we didn’t know anybody. It was so fancy, I think Martha Stewart was the guest cook. I couldn’t wait to leave. Oh yeah, and this woman’s son pulled a knife on my brother. Fun times.

Just a few years ago my mom was visiting, and she insisted on preparing a big dinner. She started by thawing our turkey in a five-gallon (used) paint bucket. My husband and I were out Wednesday night looking for an unpoisoned turkey that weighed more than eight pounds. (And after years of working in a grocery store, I will tell you this is the one night of the year you don’t want to be anywhere near a grocery store.)

Oh wait, I forgot about the new recipe my aunt in Greece sent over to us a couple of years ago! We invited friends and neighbors over to our little house, and Mom tried this fantastic recipe. There was only one problem: my aunt gave her the wrong measurements for seasonings, and it was like a salt lick. One of our friends liked it, so there was that.

In honor of those who have had equally challenging holidays, this one’s for you! Some excerpts from 50 People Who Had A Terrible Time During Thanksgiving (New Pics) | Bored Panda.

My Mom and Sister Are Gone for Thanksgiving, So We Had to Improvise

Presentation Is Key This Thanksgiving

I Accidently Branded Rachael Ray’s Name on Myself With One of Her Roasting Trays

My Sister Was Supposed to Bring a Dessert For Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

A very happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | Technical Publications

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

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