Unplanned

Dinner was turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce (the jellied kind that has the rings from the can stamped into the end slices). I substituted in coleslaw for the prescribed butternut squash (which still makes me gag, even in mere contemplation). The meal would have been too expensive at half the price, but I ate in good company. The waiter was a friendly guy. He's planning to spend the holiday with family after receiving negative Covid results a week ago. He feels like now his loved ones have some measure of protection. Personal voodoo. Later, strange stories were told, and my spirits were unexpectedly raised.