Black Friday's Best Deal

 Of all the holidays, I like Thanksgiving best. I love the idea of it, of families converging on one spot to feast together and give thanks for all the ways in which they are blessed; To enjoy their connection with each other and, admittedly sometimes, tear each other's hair out. Don't get me wrong. I prefer when there's no bloodshed. But it was quiet this year,  no opportunity to test my theories, or to enjoy a crowded table. We did talk by phone and e-mail with those we were missing, and gave thanks for the blessings we do have.

The media have not managed to destroy Thanksgiving.....yet.......as they have Christmas. The focus of the day is still on family, roots, gratitude and home cooking, and whether I'm expecting two or twenty [in my dreams!] I always  prepare everything,  turkey,  stuffing,  gravy,  mashed potatoes,  sweet potatoes,  cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie....oh, and coleslaw. Except this year I forgot,and  duly heard the plaintive cry of "Where's the coleslaw?" The OC roasts the turkey outside on the grill, having soaked it overnight in an apple cider brine......scrumptious! 

But, the very next day it all starts to go downhill. And this year they didn't wait 'til the next day. The madness started on Thanksgiving evening. Black Friday, they call it. Black Friday is not over this year until December 3rd! My response to the shouting and hollering on TV is to turn it off. My other response is not to go within an ass's roar of a store for the few days after Turkey Day, my own small protest against the greed and commercialism with which the media defines Christmas, and the weeks leading up to it.

 

So, while crazy people were heading to the stores on Friday, we headed to a state park on the other side of town. We hadn't been there for a long time and were pleasantly surprised at how high the water level was compared to our last visit  Pleasantly surprised also to have the place to ourselves. Everyone must have been at the store!

But, we weren't completely alone. It was a beautiful sunny day and the birds were busy foraging and enjoying the sunshine.

I was in my element, squishing about in the mud, trying to reason with this pair of sand hill cranes, to pull their heads out and co-operate so I could get a decent picture.....

.........when, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the OC, waving excitedly, and gesticulating for me to come see

this.

Looks like --- a log?

Someone's lost umbrella?

Oh, Mr. Gator, what big eyes you have!

Just a little guy, six feet the OC estimated.

The cranes, at least one of them, finally co-operated.

But, the gator stole the day!