I suggested breaking these traditions in preference of a vegetarian lifestyle. Mom was stunned at the thought of no turkey. Turkey must be made on thanksgiving, she insisted. Thanksgiving was about turkey.

 

So I thought about the things I was grateful for. Compared to the things I wished I had in this poor economy, it was a short list. I also realized it was time to start considering Christmas gifts.

 

But thanksgiving isn’t really about turkey. It’s about being grateful for what you have because things could be worse. And I realized the list was so short because of all the things I took for granted.

 

Realizing this extended the list.

 

I also learned how turkey got its name. In the time of the pilgrims, things that were from outside London (the center of the universe) were called turkey. Much like New Yorkers would say something is foreign because it’s from New Jersey.

 

Knowing this didn’t make me feel less sorry for the bird on the countertop.

 

I did manage to negotiate having a small amount of stuffing to not get stuffed into the bird. I did balk at the poultry seasoning until I read the container and realized there were no animal products in it. The seasoning only had sage, marjoram, rosemary and nutmeg. So I did my usual holiday task of preparing the veggies for the stuffing. I was pleased I managed to slip vegetable oil into the pan to cook the veggies instead of the traditional margarine or butter.

 

I did get caught but this action was deemed acceptable by observational the meat eater. She thought the addition of oil was disappointing.

 

The stuffing was good. Mine was slightly burnt because it was left in the oven too long. I enjoyed it knowing it wasn’t stuffed into a carcass. I also enjoyed my vegetarian “crab” cakes with my meal.