I’m not a huge fan of the typical Thanksgiving cuisine. Turkey, stuffing, etc. just don’t do it for me. People think I’m crazy, but really, is it so crazy that I don’t care for certain foods? And is it my fault, that forces beyond my control designated these foods to be consumed on a particular holiday? And it’s not like I hate the food we eat on Thanksgiving, it’s just that I normally wouldn’t prefer to eat it on any given day. I like turkey ok. I eat it sliced on sandwiches all the time. But for some reason I just don’t appreciate it as much carved fresh off the bird. And I’m sorry that I’m probably not going to dish some stuffing on my plate this weekend—it’s just not for me. And there’s no way you’re going get me to eat any cranberry sauce—that’s one thing I’ll put my foot down on. I can deal with most of the other dishes that are usually served. I can handle green bean casserole just fine, broccoli-cheese casserole too. And I always love potatoes, any way they come, as long as it isn’t of the “sweet” variety. And let’s not forget the rolls. Rolls are great. Sometimes they are the only thing that get me through a holiday dinner.

What about dessert? Dessert is usually tough. First of all, I’m not really a pie guy. I like cakes and cookies. But there are pies that I do like. I like pumpkin just fine, but only on the holidays for some reason. Pecan pie? No way. Nuts as an ingredient is usually the disqualifier for me. But I also enjoy a good apple pie. Fortunately, my mom makes an amazing apple pie—too good in fact, because Katy is afraid of making apple it due to her fear of failure. I try to tell her that I would like the pie she made just as much, if not more, but she won’t believe me.

I keep telling Katy that one of these days we will be able to host Thanksgiving dinner, and when that happens, we’re going to do it my way. What does a Thanksgiving dinner at the Merritt’s look like? I haven’t totally figured it out, but I’m pretty sure that it will involve an outdoor grill and steak and ribs.

I’m not trying to say that I hate Thanksgiving or that I even hate the food. The food is fine—it’s just not what I would pick for a special feast. And it is entirely possible that I’m just being bitter because Thanksgiving is always right after my birthday, so it steals a little thunder that I regard as rightfully mine. So that’s my little rant on turkey and the likes. Happy Thanksgiving.