{"id":18067,"date":"2024-11-27T15:47:58","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T21:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/?p=18067"},"modified":"2024-11-30T10:12:26","modified_gmt":"2024-11-30T16:12:26","slug":"last-thanksgiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/2024\/11\/27\/last-thanksgiving\/","title":{"rendered":"Last Thanksgiving"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>Last Thanksgiving<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links is-content-justification-right is-layout-flex wp-container-core-social-links-is-layout-765c4724 wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61556140010887\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 2C6.5 2 2 6.5 2 12c0 5 3.7 9.1 8.4 9.9v-7H7.9V12h2.5V9.8c0-2.5 1.5-3.9 3.8-3.9 1.1 0 2.2.2 2.2.2v2.5h-1.3c-1.2 0-1.6.8-1.6 1.6V12h2.8l-.4 2.9h-2.3v7C18.3 21.1 22 17 22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram  wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/boudin_mcneese\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 s-2.688-0.009-3.637-0.052c-0.877-0.04-1.354-0.187-1.671-0.31c-0.42-0.163-0.72-0.358-1.035-0.673 c-0.315-0.315-0.51-0.615-0.673-1.035c-0.123-0.317-0.27-0.794-0.31-1.671C4.631,14.688,4.622,14.403,4.622,12 s0.009-2.688,0.052-3.637c0.04-0.877,0.187-1.354,0.31-1.671c0.163-0.42,0.358-0.72,0.673-1.035 c0.315-0.315,0.615-0.51,1.035-0.673c0.317-0.123,0.794-0.27,1.671-0.31C9.312,4.631,9.597,4.622,12,4.622 M12,3 C9.556,3,9.249,3.01,8.289,3.054C7.331,3.098,6.677,3.25,6.105,3.472C5.513,3.702,5.011,4.01,4.511,4.511 c-0.5,0.5-0.808,1.002-1.038,1.594C3.25,6.677,3.098,7.331,3.054,8.289C3.01,9.249,3,9.556,3,12c0,2.444,0.01,2.751,0.054,3.711 c0.044,0.958,0.196,1.612,0.418,2.185c0.23,0.592,0.538,1.094,1.038,1.594c0.5,0.5,1.002,0.808,1.594,1.038 c0.572,0.222,1.227,0.375,2.185,0.418C9.249,20.99,9.556,21,12,21s2.751-0.01,3.711-0.054c0.958-0.044,1.612-0.196,2.185-0.418 c0.592-0.23,1.094-0.538,1.594-1.038c0.5-0.5,0.808-1.002,1.038-1.594c0.222-0.572,0.375-1.227,0.418-2.185 C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Shirlee Jellum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">__________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Candles flickered on window sills and tables, golden light reflected on glass and polished wood, a warm welcome to family members arriving for the holiday feast. A centerpiece graced the dining room table\u2014a handmade bouquet of crimson maple leaves, snowberries, rosehips and dried seedpods. Platters of hors d\u2019oevres\u2014melted brie with whole grain crackers, spinach dip&nbsp; with veggies,&nbsp; smoked salmon and sausage-stuffed mushrooms\u2014filled the room with delectable aromas. Chilled bottles of homemade rhubarb and pear wine sparkled next to heirloom crystal wineglasses, waiting for that first sip.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cYuk! What\u2019s that?\u201d My granddaughter Moni grimaced, pointing to the dip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cIt looks like boogers!\u201d Her cousins, Bruce and Henry, shrieked with laughter, sticking fingers in their noses and chasing her around the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cWhoa! Settle it down, kids!\u201d I grabbed her around the waist and whispered, \u201cTry it, you might like it.\u201d Scooping a carrot in the dip, I took a large bite. \u201cYum!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cWhatever,\u201d she said, rolling her eyes. She walked around the table, sniffing each plate and scowling. \u201cDon\u2019t you have any Doritos or Cheetos?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cYou know I don\u2019t buy junk food.\u201d I spread some brie on a cracker. \u201cHere, try this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cEww,\u201d she said, holding her nose. \u201cGross! I\u2019ll wait for dinner,\u201d She flicked her hair over her shoulder then flounced out of the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cWhat\u2019s that green stuff on top?\u201d Bruce asked, pointing to the brie. \u201cYuck!\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cI dare you to try it,\u201d Henry said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cUgh! No way! You try it!\u201d Bruce backed up against the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cLet me use your iPad and I will.\u201d I knew Henry would eat anything, so he\u2019d be spending the evening glued to Bruce\u2019s toy. I handed him the cracker. \u201cDeal?\u201d Bruce nodded. Henry took a tentative bite, smirked, then stuffed the rest in his mouth. \u201cHand it over, sucker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cAnyone want wine?\u201d I hollered into the next room. \u201cCome get some snacks while they\u2019re warm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The adults wandered in. \u201cLooks good, but sorry, I\u2019m not drinking this month. Trying to cleanse my system of toxins,\u201d Michelle said, looking longingly at the wine. \u201cI\u2019ll just have ice water and a cracker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Ev put some veggies and dip on his plate. \u201cDoes this have any dairy or garlic?\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cJust a couple of cloves and sour cream. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">He set his plate down.\u00a0\u201cStomach problems. Is there anything here that doesn\u2019t have dairy, garlic or gluten?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I looked at the array of tasty snacks growing cold. \u201cThe mushrooms don\u2019t, but the sausage is spicy. Can you eat spices?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cOnly a little bit and no onion. Any onion in these?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em>My god, what in the world does he eat?<\/em> \u201cYes, there is. Sorry I don\u2019t have any snacks you can eat. How about a glass of wine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cI quit wine a few months ago. Gives me a gut ache. I have some Le Croix and nuts in the car.&nbsp; Back in a flash.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I turned to his wife, Mara. \u201cHow about you. Glass of wine?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cSure, I\u2019ll have some pear, but I think I\u2019ll pass on snacks and wait til dinner. It smells so good.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Grae walked in, grabbed a plate and filled it with a mountain of food. \u201cDo you have any salsa?\u201d He poured a glass of rhubarb wine and swallowed it in three gulps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em>What does he need salsa for?<\/em> \u201cSorry, I\u2019m out, but I do have some Tabasco.\u201d I rummaged in the fridge. \u201cHere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">He shook several drops onto his food, tasted a mushroom, then added more. \u201cNever can have enough heat,\u201d he said, wandering back to the living room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I stood alone at the dining table, surveying the mostly untouched snack plates and nearly full wine bottles. <em>Maybe I should just serve dinner.<\/em> I collected the food then checked on the turkey and warming side dishes. Everything was ready to dish up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Seated at the table, I was thankful for this first large family gathering in several years and grateful for the bounty of food from our garden to accompany the 25-pound turkey\u2014Yukon gold potatoes with rosemary, fluffy wild mushroom stuffing, honey-glazed walnut carrots, waldorf salad with three kinds of fresh apples and home-grown dried raisins, fresh-baked huckleberry and pumpkin pies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I held up my wine glass. \u201cHere\u2019s to family and good food,\u201d I said. \u201cNow dig in.\u201d I turned to Moni sitting beside me. \u201cWould you like light or dark meat?\u201d I asked, ready to serve her a slice of turkey.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cI don\u2019t eat meat,\u201d she announced loudly. \u201cI\u2019m a vegetarian.\u201d I looked at her mother, Coley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">She shrugged. \u201cShe only eats chicken nuggets. Any chance you have a box of mac and cheese?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em>Are you kidding? Salt and fat disguised in fake orange powder?<\/em> I shook my head. \u201cNo, but how about a peanut butter sandwich?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cI\u2019m allergic,\u201d Moni replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cSorry we forgot to tell you,\u201d her dad, John, said sheepishly. \u201cHad to take her to emergency a couple weeks ago. Pass the stuffing, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cHow about a jam sandwich?\u201d Coley suggested.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><em>Yuck<\/em>, I thought, sounding like one of my grandkids. \u201cSure, coming right up. Half or whole?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cShe can eat a whole one,\u201d John said as he helped himself to gravy. \u201cAnd will you cut off the crust?\u201d <em>Jeez, that\u2019s the best part.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">While my dinner was getting cold, I spread strawberry jam on whole grain bread, cutting off the crust to save for the birds. \u201cHere you go,\u201d I said, handing her the sandwich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">She frowned. \u201cI don\u2019t like dark bread with seeds.\u201d <em>So, go hungry you little ingrate.<\/em> \u201cSorry, sweetie, that\u2019s all I have.\u201d I tossed the sandwich on the counter, sat down and resumed eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cPass the turkey, please.\u201d Coley took the smallest slice and passed on the stuffing, potatoes and gravy. \u201cThis all looks and smells so good, but I need to lose twenty pounds before our trip to Mexico.\u201d She put two carrots and a tiny scoop of salad on her plate. \u201cPass the wine, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Ev had a pile of turkey but nothing else. \u201cWould you like some carrots and potatoes?\u201d I held out the bowls toward him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cSorry, Mom, but I can\u2019t eat root vegetables, or anything with gluten or sugar.\u201d <em>Plus onions, garlic and dairy\u2026my god, is my family going nuts?<\/em> He took a bite of meat. \u201cTurkey\u2019s real good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I looked around the table at everyone\u2019s plate. Bruce was picking walnuts and raisins out of his salad, lining them up along the edge of his plate. \u201cEat your carrot,\u201d his mom said, pushing it toward him with her fork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cIt\u2019s slimy and smells funny,\u201d he whined, wrinkling his nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cThen finish your turkey, or no dessert,\u201d she said, pouring another glass of wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cIt\u2019s too dry. I\u2019ll choke.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cThen have a bit of gravy on it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cIt\u2019s got lumps in it.\u201d He squirmed in his chair, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cThose are mushrooms, silly. You like mushrooms.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cNo, I don\u2019t, except on pizza.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cDid you try your salad?\u201d I asked. \u201cIt has three kinds of apples.\u201d <em>Every kid likes apples, right?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cHe won\u2019t eat fruit,\u201d his dad said, taking another slice of turkey. <em>No fruit? What\u2019s wrong with him?<\/em> \u201cHere, Bruce, have a roll.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cIck!\u201d he said, pushing it off his plate onto the table. \u201cIt\u2019s all brown and squishy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cThen no dessert,\u201d his mom said, emptying a bottle of wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Watching Bruce with fascination, Henry finished his full plate of food and asked for seconds. Grae was dishing up more stuffing and potatoes, slathering them with hot sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cGrandma makes the best desserts in the universe!\u201d Moni exclaimed. \u201cCan I have some now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cLater, baby,\u201d John said, scooping up another serving of potatoes and gravy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cCan I be excused?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cMe too!\u201d Bruce added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cMe three!\u201d Henry said, grabbing another roll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I waited for my husband to put his foot down, demand they all try one bite of everything, clean their plates, wait until the adults were finished. But he was done with the drama. \u201cGreat dinner, babe,\u201d he said, as he cleared his plate from the table. No dessert for me,\u201d he added, patting his stomach. \u201cToo late for sugar. Heartburn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I looked at the piles of leftover food, many plates still covered with carrots, bits of salad, half-eaten rolls, turkey bones, soggy stuffing, the twenty pounds of turkey we\u2019d be eating for a week. The candles had melted down to lumpy piles of wax, the centerpiece drooping from being jostled by platters and serving dishes. I thought of the two pies that wouldn\u2019t be eaten\u2014fruit, sugar, gluten and dairy shunned by nearly everyone\u2014then poured myself another glass of wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">\u201cGreat dinner,\u201d the adults echoed as they left the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">I sighed.<em> Next year I\u2019ll take a vacation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">__________<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Shirlee Jellum<\/strong> is a retired English teacher who publishes fiction, nonfiction and poetry, most recently in&nbsp;<em>WayWords<\/em>,&nbsp;<em>Persimmon Tree<\/em>,&nbsp;<em>Last Stanza<\/em>,&nbsp;<em>Word Peace<\/em>,&nbsp;and several anthologies. She is a Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominee as well as a finalist in WOW fiction and nonfiction contests.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>__________<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"438\" height=\"211\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/01\/boudin-logo-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15484\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/01\/boudin-logo-1.jpg 438w, https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2024\/01\/boudin-logo-1-300x145.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 438px) 100vw, 438px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\">\ud83e\udca0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/2024\/11\/26\/omelet-her-77th\/\">Back<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/2024\/11\/27\/boiled-down\/\">Next<\/a> \ud83e\udca1<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">To learn more about submitting your work to <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/boudin-submissions\/\">Boudin<\/a><\/em> or applying to McNeese State University&#8217;s Creative Writing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/mfa-application-submissions\/\">MFA program<\/a>, please visit Submissions for details.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Thanksgiving Shirlee Jellum __________ Candles flickered on window sills and tables, golden light reflected on glass and polished wood, a warm welcome to family members arriving for the holiday feast. A centerpiece graced the dining room table\u2014a handmade bouquet of crimson maple leaves, snowberries, rosehips and dried seedpods. Platters of hors d\u2019oevres\u2014melted brie with&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[221],"tags":[75,146,26],"class_list":["post-18067","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fall-feasts-nov-24","tag-boudin","tag-fiction-2","tag-fiction"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18067","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18067"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18067\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18262,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18067\/revisions\/18262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mcneese.edu\/thereview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}