(Feel free to skip ahead to what you want to read)
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Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers. How was your holiday?
Last month, I invited my parents to spend Thanksgiving at my house with my husband and our children. A few days later, my mother invided my aunt and uncle, so the party moved to my parents' (much, much larger) house. Then, more of my family found out about our small gathering and by yesterday we had 21 people sitting around the table.
Our holiday was much like every holiday with my family. I was in high school before I learned that our traditions were not the same as others. To get an idea of what Thanksgiving is like in my family, here is an excerpt from Hartfield Chronicles.
“What’s your Thanksgiving like?”
Pat tensed slightly. “You mean, how does CAVEmen celebrate Thanksgiving?”
I traced Pat’s hand, shaking my head. “No, how does the Irish McGregor family celebrate Thanksgiving? My family’s Italian. We have a seven-course meal.”
Walter’s eyes grew wide. “You’re kidding me!”
Pat snickered at the awe in his brother’s voice.
I smiled across the car. “Nope. Uncle Tony makes the stuffed mushrooms appetizer. Then, Papa makes stuffed artichokes. My mom makes the antipasto.”
Walter frowned. “What’s that?”
“It’s a meat salad, but my mother makes it into this elaborate tower like her grandmother taught her. You would love it.”
“You’re making me hungry.” Pat turned to his brother. “Doofus! Pass me some cookies.”
Walter threw the bag across the car as I tried to picture Thanksgiving dinner in my head.
“After the antipasto, we have Nonna’s manicotti. Wait . . . I’m missing something. Oh yeah. The salad comes next. Then the turkey and stuffing. Aunt Lily makes the yams with mini marshmallows and apples and nuts. There’s corn and other assorted vegetables. Dinner rolls. Then, Papa goes and takes a nap, and my cousins and I wake him up when it’s time for dessert.”
Walter leaned forward in his seat. “Okay. Here’s what we’re gonna do. When we get to your house, I’m gonna stay with you. I’ll bunk with your brother. It’ll be fine. Pat, tell Mom and Dad that I’m staying with Melinda, and I’ll be home on Friday. Tell them about the seven courses. They’ll understand.”
We laughed all the way to the highway.
You can more in Episode 59 of Hartfield Chronicles.
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Hartfield Chronicles
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When Melinda is invited to join a new dance class, she sees this as her big break, a chance to advance her skills. Before she can accept, however, another kind of break stops her in her tracks. Pat wants to be the supportive boyfriend, but his efforts seem to be making Melinda uncomfortable. He can’t go to his own friends for advice, because they can’t understand. After Melinda calls for another type of break, she and Pat must examine their relationship to determine whether they are meant for each other. |
Hartfield Chronicles follows the lives of Melinda, Pat, and their friends as they navigate their way through boarding school life. Each episode features two stories, one from Melinda's point of view and one from Pat's, along with an excerpt from Melinda's writing journal. New episodes are published every Friday.
Here's what you missed:
(Click on the chalkboard to read)
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| Everyone is snowed in | Pat & Walter have an uncomfortable conversation with their father and a game of Truth or Dare reveals unwanted secrets |
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