A Busy Turkey day, Done and Done!

Thanksgiving is always my favorite holiday. The Fourth of July is nice and I like Memorial Day but Thanksgiving is the one that gets my attention every year. It would be impossible for me to explain why I like it so much. I just do. Usually I stay busy throughout the day and this year was no different.

WILD TURKEY RUN:

Dragging my self from bed at 6:30AM for what is becoming a true Salem tradition was not a problem at all. In years past I did so to supervise the members of my early morning boot camp as they performed their pre-mashed potato penance by running this 5 mile race.

This year it was me, the BaldOne who would be the penitent. After a breakfast at home I walked down North Street to the YMCA. There I dropped my bag prior to ambling down to the Boys & Girls Club to pick up my race package. Then it was back to the Y to get changed and a quick walk to the starting line at Washington Square North and Winter Street.

The air was cool, but comfortable. At least that was my opinion. Most everyone else thought it was plain cold. The field of runners was large and the mood was actually festive. I said hello to Brandi and Steve Dion, the owners of B & S Fitness. Steve had their son in a carriage and Brandi, well she is due to deliver another child in 3 days. She was ready to run and was quite relaxed. A few of us discussed at which mile marker she would be near when her water broke.

The run itself was pleasant despite my knees protesting every step. I am unable to stride fully without them clicking, therefore I do not stride. My good friend Steve Pinto described my style as a trudge. I guess I'll have to give him that because for the most part that is what I did, albeit a 10 minute mile trudge.

In the last 1/2 mile I stretched my stride out a bit and may have found a middle ground that will allow me to run a bit more and trudge a bit less. We shall see.

The official timer had me at 56:11 but my clock said 53:09. I trust my clock more.

The Frosty Four New Years Day race is next on the agenda despite my knees protests.

SALEM-BEVERLY FOOTBALL:

My Nephew, James and his father accompanied me to Hurd Stadium where we watched the Boys from the right side of the bridge beat the boys from the wrong side of the bridge 12-7.

My preference is to stand in the end zone to watch this game. James did not seem to mind tis which was good for me. I truly do not like sitting in the stands. The end zone is a bit of the game and a bit of old home week all in one. For some reason the attendance was down this year. Why is anybody's guess. It wasn't that cold, the wind wasn't blowing and there was no rain.

We had a prime spot to see Skeffingtons' 22 yard TD run. This was after Salem failed on a 4th and 1 attempt which was nullified by a Beverly penalty.

The play was chippy throughout the game with more than a few hits and a few shoves thrown in after the fact. The zebra crew was content to let them have at it and the game seemed under control from start to finish.

ETCETERA, ETCETERA:

A good dinner with family and a few friends while watching the Patriots spank the Lions was the afternoon. We eat at 1PM every ear to accommodate the nurses in the family who work the night shift. Turkey and all the rest of course but the high was...(drum roll please),............brussel sprouts. My sister Donna, the gourmet in the group bought 40 fresh brussel sprouts at Hannaford's. These weren't ordinary sprouts seeing as she hand selected them. Her system involved sending the poor kid at the market out back twice to bring here more to inspect. She is hard core in her vegetable standards.

Dinner done, a Patriot's victory in the bag I participated in some conversation until things began to turn political. At that point I retreated to the kitchen, read some newspapers and took a short nap.

AT 6pm it was time to head downtown, but that folks is another story.