Pre-middle and high school Thanksgiving was about hand turkey pictures, when did I get to move from the kids table to the grown up table and the Christmas decorations came out. Thanksgiving (and for that matter Christmas) dinners at my grandmother's house in NY with everyone there was warm and loving chaos.
Middle and high school it was all about OJR football games then big turkey dinner and still getting the Christmas decorations out. Because both Paul & I were in band during high school there was no traveling for the holiday. In college it was still OJR football (my college didn't have a football team!) then big turkey dinner. Though I was no longer in band, I was now the one traveling home from school so dinner was at home.
One day I moved away from home. By this time I was 3 years into a corporate job and engaged. Now Thanksgiving was not having to go to work and where was the big turkey dinner going to be. Do we go home at Thanksgiving or Christmas? Which family had us on the day for dinner? Or better yet, did the relatives come to us?
So I replaced football and friends with visiting relatives or gatherings of friends. If the relatives visited me, I was cooking. If I was visiting the relatives, I was helping. If no relatives were involved, someone in the circle of friends hosted the 'orphan turkey dinner' for those of us not traveling or having a house full of relatives. One of us hosted and everyone brought a dish to contribute. I hosted many times as we used to smoke the turkey (mmmm...smoked turkey) and it was easier to bring side dishes to my house. One year stands out as the orphan turkey dinner was first held outside. My friends in Phoenix are thinking "eh, no big deal." Well then I was living in Roswell, Georgia and a Thanksgiving Day warm enough to eat outside was a rarity.
Lots of life changes later, here I am 18 years into corporate work and single. Thanksgiving has become more and more about not having to go to work. It used to be about wondering if Paul would book a last minute flight or only come for Christmas. I used to get annoyed by his indecisiveness, now I miss it. Oh, there's still turkey dinner however it just isn't the same. Rather, maybe I'm just not the same - a more likely scenario. Thanksgiving is still about family and friends however, that part won't go away just how it gets done changes.
It's also still about putting up the Christmas decorations. Someone remind me not to take down mom's lights when I'm hung over this year..............
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Eddie's Tavern
One night I was in the mood for a beer. My usual drinking buddies were not available yet I didn't want to go home and drink alone. This night as I drove down 32nd Street in Phoenix I pulled into Eddie's Tavern.
Eddie's is a small establishment and I'm not kidding about small. But that's part of the charm. (Anyone who remembers my first apartment in Pottstown, well, two of those could just fit inside Eddie's) Somewhere I read Eddie's was established in 1960; that bit of information already lured me there -- established before bars were just another addition in a long line of strip malls. Inside you will find a bar, a pool table, about 5 tables, a good set of tunes and friendly bar staff. The bartender that night was friendly and attentive - I never lacked a beer or a smile.
Eddie's patronage is loyal. One look around as I walked in and it was obvious. The laid back atmosphere hit me right away -- even the voices in my head paused for a few moments. It's one of those places where everyone knows your name. As no one knew mine, I was certainly the object of attention for a bit.
Eddie's is not a place to get a bite, only a beverage. On tap was Bud, Bud Light, Miller Light, Fat Tire and one other that I now forget (Blue Moon sticks in my head for some reason though) and I saw a full bar. I'm taking a stab that most beers are also available in bottles as I enjoyed a few cold Coors Light.
As I sat and sipped my beers, I watched and listened to the interactions (and to the voices in my head, they don't stay quiet that long) going on around me. And I thought about lots of things. As more folks came in I was joined at my end of the bar by a regular and a conversation about music, cars and life in general wiled away another hour.
If you are looking for a local hangout, come give Eddie's a try. It won't take long for everyone to know your name.
Eddie's is a small establishment and I'm not kidding about small. But that's part of the charm. (Anyone who remembers my first apartment in Pottstown, well, two of those could just fit inside Eddie's) Somewhere I read Eddie's was established in 1960; that bit of information already lured me there -- established before bars were just another addition in a long line of strip malls. Inside you will find a bar, a pool table, about 5 tables, a good set of tunes and friendly bar staff. The bartender that night was friendly and attentive - I never lacked a beer or a smile.
Eddie's patronage is loyal. One look around as I walked in and it was obvious. The laid back atmosphere hit me right away -- even the voices in my head paused for a few moments. It's one of those places where everyone knows your name. As no one knew mine, I was certainly the object of attention for a bit.
Eddie's is not a place to get a bite, only a beverage. On tap was Bud, Bud Light, Miller Light, Fat Tire and one other that I now forget (Blue Moon sticks in my head for some reason though) and I saw a full bar. I'm taking a stab that most beers are also available in bottles as I enjoyed a few cold Coors Light.
As I sat and sipped my beers, I watched and listened to the interactions (and to the voices in my head, they don't stay quiet that long) going on around me. And I thought about lots of things. As more folks came in I was joined at my end of the bar by a regular and a conversation about music, cars and life in general wiled away another hour.
If you are looking for a local hangout, come give Eddie's a try. It won't take long for everyone to know your name.
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