Carmen Ohio
Hello, Friend.
I hope that your Thanksgiving was whatever you needed it to be. It sure was what we were looking for in our home - our boys were back under the same roof for almost a week, friends and family gathered on Thursday and we enjoyed some of the best food I've ever cooked. One of the keys this year, I believe, was the decision to purchase a smoked turkey breast from Ray Ray's here in Granville. That turkey was as flavorful and juicy as anything I've ever cooked - and didn't require any oven time or space! This, plus extensive prep work done in the days leading up to Thanksgiving made hosting the event so much more fun. It was basically an exercise in topping off everyone's beverages and acting as the Oven Traffic Controller, making sure the different items went into the oven on schedule. Lori made the mashed potatoes and I made the gravy (using turkey stock I prepared on Monday)...other than this, everything else was prepped in advance. I loved sitting at the end of our driveway at 9:30am, watching much of the community parade by as they ran and walked the five kilometer Turkey Trot route. I saw so many people that I know streaming past our house - it was fun to chat everybody up.
On Friday we welcomed long-time friends to the house, where we decorated holiday cookies, took Nova for a walk and enjoyed a bonfire in the back yard. Some pizzas from Harvest added variety in addition to the Thursday leftovers we continue to enjoy. Saturday had two significant events - the first being the annual rivalry football game between my alma mater Ohio State University Buckeyes and the Wolverines of the University of Michigan. The second was a wonderful holiday gathering hosted by our friends, featuring the traditional Nordic mulled wine/cider beverage called glögg. My Buckeyes lost a hard-fought game, and the glögg gathering was superb. Despite the loss on the gridiron, I enjoyed both immensely.
As I sat down to watch the game, I reflected on how unattached I have become to the outcomes of Buckeye football games. If they win, great. If they lose, oh well.... This was not how I felt about Buckeye football as a high-schooler and undergraduate, or as a young adult graduate of the institution. Buckeye losses would make me sad. Today, I view it as great entertainment and little else. It turns out that my attachment to the outcome of the game doesn't influence it one bit. Kind of like having a flight cancelled - you can yell at the airline employee, but you're still not going anywhere right away.
I attended two Ohio State home games this year - the Penn State and Michigan State games. The weather was favorable for both, and I enjoyed them. Walking across campus definitely sparked all sorts of memories. But I have to admit, I don't feel deeply connected to Ohio State as an institution. I did a lot of growing up on and around that campus, learned some important stuff, and made a few life-long friends. But for some reason I don't give OSU much credit for this. There is something special about young adulthood - we all grow significantly at this time in our life, experiencing lots of "firsts." Somehow these things are etched a little deeper in our synapses. For me, they just happened to occur at THE Ohio State University. :-). It is curious that I don't feel closer to my alma mater. Maybe it's a response to all the fanaticism that I witness around the football program - from people who never even attended the university. I'm not sure...it seems like there may be more to unpack here.
While I marvel at the physical prowess of football athletes, I view the massive compensation earned by the pros and the CTE risked by all who participate in the sport as problematic. I don't need people shortening their lives, incurring brain injuries for my entertainment. And I'd rather see school teachers earn more for their contributions to society, as opposed to top draft picks. I know these two things have nothing to do with each other - false dichotomies are not a new idea for me! The world's not entirely fair - professional athletes are going to earn more than school teachers, regardless of how much they contribute to the greater good.
This morning we will hug the boys and send them back to school. In a few more weeks they'll return for what I hope will be a wonderful Winter break. Have a restful day, and a good week ahead.
Sunday Supper
I have to have something light and healthy after all the eating I've done these last few days. This Kale Tabouleh Salad, and Salmon with Cherry Tomatoes will make for a great one-two punch. Give them a try.
Sunday Music
This week I share with you a live performance by the great jam band, Phish. Formed in 1983 in Burlington, Vermont, they enjoy a massive following by fans all over the country. Enjoy!
Have a great week ahead! Offer support to others. Make good use of this day. And let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,
Neal