Frazz by Jef Mallett for December 10, 2021

One of my least favorite childhood memories. Mom was cooking our traditional Friday lunch: Turkey club sandwiches (with bacon, tomato, lettuce, plenty of a mayo-like substance and, yes, three toasted bread layers) when I started to feel the urgent need to visit the throne. By the time I was mostly over the flu a few days later, not only did I find that I had missed out on the sandwiches, but it was already time to go back to school. :(

So glad when mom stopped making a fresh turkey every week from Thanksgiving to the end of February once. Took me years before I could eat any turkey again.

Spouse cooked a second turkey three days after Thanksgiving because we ran out of leftovers.

Mom had a strict regimen for Thanksgiving. Turkey etc on the big day. Next day turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, on white toast. Great second meal. Third day, diced turkey, massed potatoes, gravy. Fourth day, everything except the pies to the bins. But in the 1940’s one didn’t keep certain foods around after a day or so. Refrigeration being what it was, too many possibilities for what was jokingly called Mal de mer.

I can take turkey or leave it – the FIRST time around, when it’s still tender and juicy (if it’s been prepared properly). But don’t even try to get me to eat leftover turkey. My wife cooks a small turkey every year which we share on Thanksgiving Day and then SHE gets to enjoy the leftovers for days (weeks? or does it just seem that way?) on end. I make alternative provisions for my own entrées.

Mmm, dry bird slabs on toast!

Mrs.Olsen should have just played along with him and said that would be fine… Call his bluff.

This year, there were only four of us so I had an epiphany – instead of cooking a turkey, I did two roast chickens. Far juicier, the leftovers were a helluva lot better, and anyone who wanted a leg was covered.

I have had no turkey for months.

Mal de mere