Anyway.....
I Hope you will Understand, Dear Readers, that Thanksgiving is different this year. The pandemic has made it risky to gather... even with your loved ones, for any length of time indoors. Pollyanna had received a recorded phone message sent out by the Governor of the State saying all groups of more than ten were banned from gathering indoors! She went right to Helen with the news, because with all of them together they were eleven. Six at the Lovely Old Dollhouse, and five at Sally May and Chip's because his parents had pretty much moved in with them last summer.
"We can't all get together this year" she says to Helen.
"But what will we do..." she asks...
"What will they do"?
"Who will cook the Turkey...?" she adds.
"We will have too much food!"
Victor and Joanna were in the kitchen discussing that very question.
"I am sure we can do a great job..." said Victor cheerfully.
"I'll start on the squash..." he added.
"You can get the bird in the oven.
Don't worry, I'll help! " he said happily.
"Good thing we baked the pies here last night....
that's the important part!"... he joked.
Pollyanna and Arthur decided the help by "staying out of the way"
otherwise known as hiding in Pollyanna's craft room in the attic.
I really need to organize things better in here thinks Pollyanna.
I just don't have the right storage spaces.
Meanwhile, Dear Readers, the problem over at Sally May and Chips house
is that the neighborhood got a little crowded last Spring when the pandemic started.
This is the place where I "work from home"....
And I will be mostly working from home again starting next week.
Our school is done for the Fall term and will
open again in February if all goes well.
I will be going in to the school office two days a week
since we do have to keep things running anyway.
But you can understand that Sally May feels a little "out of sorts".
Even with the neighboring equipment temporarily moved....
it is dark and empty feeling in the dining room where they usually gather.
She wishes she could celebrate with Her family!
Chip's family are fine... she loves them too... but it is not the same.
And they have been here all year.
She is tired and a bit depressed.
She almost doesn't want to cook!
They won't have a turkey since it is being cooked
over at the Lovely Old Dollhouse.
Chip will keep his folks entertained...
even though the house is dark and a bit cold.
One of these days he is going to have to fix that window!
Meanwhile, Joanna and Victor have cooked the feast!
"I think it is time to call everybody in" says Joanna.
"It's time to eat..." she tells Helen and Charles.
"This smells wonderful...!" says Charles.
"And it looks delicious too!" he adds.
"Well done, my dear".... he says to Joanna.
"Goodness! What a Huge bird!" says Helen.
"We will be feasting for weeks!"
"Oh, I Wish everybody could be here!" says Helen
for at least the dozenth time this day.
"But at least we know they are all safe and well..." says Charles.
That is the most important thing!
"And I am sure Sally May has cooked up a feast too..." adds Pollyanna.
"She is so good at that! We know they are not starving!"
"And we will call them when we are done says Victor."
"Let's all hold hands for the Grace now" says Charles.
And they bow their heads in silence ....
there is much to be thankful for.
And over at Sally May's she is
putting the finishing touches on their meal.
She has baked a chicken instead of the turkey
and also roasted some Venison that Chip's folks
brought as their "contribution" to the menu.
"I think it is as ready as it is going to be..." she sighs.
"It smells yummy Mummy!" says Annabelle excitedly.
"And I helped... didn't I!" she adds.
"You were a Big help" said Sally May.
"I could not have done it without you!"
"I think it is time to call the others in" she added.
"Now that looks like the kind of dinner
that makes the menfolk happy!" declares Blanche.
"Ah... we do have a lot to be thankful for!" agrees Ernie.
"Thanks, Babe..." says Chip. "I know it is hard for you not seeing your folks" he adds.
Sally May suddenly is reminded how much she does have to be Thankful for.
"Who will say Grace...?" she asks.
"Grace" shouts Annabelle excitedly and everybody laughs.
Ernie sings the doxology and they serve the feast.
They do have so much to be thankful for!
Meanwhile, Honey and Oreo
are keeping an eye on things in the kitchen...
there are no pies.
Sally May had made a beautiful cake that she planned
to bring to The Lovely Old Dollhouse gathering.
"Are we 'guarding'...." thinks Oreo....
"or just 'watching'?"
Honey doesn't even bother to answer him.
She is trying not to drool at the thought of crumbs on plates.
Well, Dear Readers, it seems that
Nothing is Normal this year!
But I am Giving Thanks anyway.
I do have so much to be thankful for!
And I hope you all are celebrating safely
Wherever you are!
