The air is frigid and stings my ears as the wind rounds the woodshed. My big plaid coat has been buttoned up, and the sheep's skin collar wrapped against my neck. My leather gloves are stiff at first as I begin to gather wood, but they'll soften after a bit. It's gonna be a cold Thanksgiving Day, but that won't stop the celebrating here at the Chicken Ranch. Time to be sociable.
Thanksgiving is the beginning of the winter holidays. Wintertime can be gray and dreary at times, driving and holding us indoors. It is good thing to have a few days of festive celebration to shake me out of the doldrums and into the social scene. Now, as anyone will tell you, I am not a highly sociable person. Oh I make the best of it when I'm with folks I like. I crack jokes, try to start and listen to engaging conversations, and if I'm at the Chicken Ranch I try to be a good host. But mostly I'm a private person.
My wife, Patty, is a joiner. She seldom misses an opportunity to be a part of a social gathering. From book clubs to funerals, Pampered Chef to anniversary parties, you can count on Patty to show. People appreciate her humor, participation in activities, and her great baking, so she never lacks for an invitation to some event. Make no mistake, she loves her time at home in front of the fire, and she has slowed down a fraction, but she does enjoy being with people in a social setting. I'm a really private person. I prefer to be alone. A good book or magazine, a warm fire, and a hot cup of coffee is all the company I need most of the time.
It's not that I don't like people. I love and cherish my family. I can't see enough of my grandsons. It's crowds and noise that I avoid like a mouse does a tom cat.. After a few handshakes and conversations that start with "how you been..? where is it you work..? still play that guitar and sing...?" at some human flesh packed gathering, I'm looking for means of egress and developing an escape plan. I mean, there are only so many ways to say the same thing. I've thought about making brochures that answer every question folks ask at gatherings. For answers I want to provide, I'd just hand one to every person I shake hands with. "Kevin how are you?" Here's my brochure, read line 13. "Have you retired yet?" Have a brochure, see line 6. "Gettin' near retirement age aren't you?" Personal profile is on the back, gotta run. I could then head home from the patronizing politeness, and the din of conversation to the quiet and solitude of the Chicken Ranch. All that being said, holiday dinners are a little different. I tend to be more people freindly when food is involved.
When folks from far and wide gather at the Chicken Ranch, bringing dishes of homemade efforts, and grinning from ear to ear, it's special. We have a cast of characters out of a movie to be sure, but they're family, and well.... they're family. We all are happy to see each other, maybe for the first time in 365 days, and just glad we're still this side of the sod. There are enough hugs, pats on the back, and babies kissed to satisfy a politician in an election year. The food is amazing, with meats, pies and other dishes galore. We always have corn and green beans from the garden saved for the occasion. There's turkey, ham, corn bread dressing and- slap my mouth- pumpkin pie. The list is endless. And the conversation is all over the map.
We have Democrats, Republicans and Independents. We have conservatives and liberals and in betweeners. Some years we have more ethnic cultures represented than the United Nations. But, on this day of winter feasting, we all just want to be on the same family middle ground. Kinda like the Pilgrims and Indians. We have the old 60's and 70's "different strokes for different folks" thing going on, at least for this day together. I guess on these days we just sit around the table or the fireplace or the football game and talk turkey... or ham, or prime rib.
It is a different social atmosphere at holiday time and, well, I actually enjoy it. Those that are no longer with us are remembered in fondness, childhood pranks are recalled in fresh laughter, and bittersweet memories of the long ago are brought to mind, in this comfortable gathering of family and friends. We remark about our ages, brag about the grand kids, tease the ones old enough to spark, and the ones old enough that they can't. I like to just sit in a place sometimes where I can hear two or three conversations at one time and just listen to folks enjoying each others company. My oh my, what we can find to talk about. It's good to take it all in. No brochures needed here, lets just visit awhile, and all can go home feelin warm and full inside, no matter what the temps may be.
Yes, these two or three times in the year, I find myself more sociable, relaxed, and well... not so ready to leave. I mean, after all, it is my house.
