Well the turkey has been roasted, eaten, and leftover...and eaten again. I'm sure I would normally pack on a few pounds, but my recent bout with a food borne illness of less than conspicuous origins put me on the sideline for the better half of a week that generally brings tremendous eating...
Nevertheless, the 4-H Center is gearing up for holiday party season. It's a favorite time of mine...I'm lucky to work in a place where we must peddle the holiday spirit. There's lots of holiday lights, and yes, food to be taken in. However, should the cold weather not arrive, I will refute the season. Cold weather is very important for the holiday season. Otherwise, the big guy in the red suit will certainly overheat as he strikes out for the 3 billion global believers. Milk and cookies? Naw. Leave that joker some Gatorade. Fruit Punch, or course. Also - the holiday sweaters that many of us fawn over will lay folded in their boxes, crammed to the collar with moth balls. The Farmer's Almanac predicted a wet and cold winter...show's what they know. It's been more tropical and tepid. And all that firewood that was either cut or purchased to sentimentally and nostalgically warm your humble abode? Well, if you stack it high enough, it makes a great shady corner to relax in when the mercury tops out.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is Black Friday. Sure, I just told you something you already know. It's when America's retailers go from red to black on their ledgers...and it's when more trees are cut than any other day of the year. Sad times. However, roughly 30 million families will hoist a tree inside their homes. North Carolina is responsible for many of these trees...some, in fact, have even graced Rockefeller Center and the White House. I'm all for tree cutting. Especially if it is done sustainably. Tree farming, from Christmas trees to pine logging, is generally very responsible. Rotational plans, pest control, and prescribed burnings are used in many tree farms...and they're all goof for the environment, and the animals that live within it. Still, it's strange that people will haul a dying tree into their home, set it in water, then hook it to electricity....just before they put hundred of dollars of gifts underneath it. I call those gifts "fuel". Always sit with trees that are lit and unplug them when not basking in their luminescence. Moreover, when the tree is done doing it's duty around New Year's, check with local officials and find a suitable pond of lake to lower your tree in to...it makes excellent fish habitat! Some people have closely guarded the secret whereabouts of their sunken trees. I wish it would give me an advantage in duck hunting. Speaking of which...
The waterfowling has been terrible. For those looking to come down and pursue fowl with either camera or gun - best of luck. The weather has been abysmal and the only thing to see are the swans. But they are great. In other unrelated news, my Auburn Tigers were handily beaten by the Alabama Crimson Tide in the annual Iron Bowl. But hey, every squirrel eventually finds a nut. And Alabama has it's share of nuts.
Enjoy the day...
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