Thanksgiving 2020

“As co-president of the Bob-White of the Glen I call this first virtual meeting and Thanksgiving Open House to order,” Trixie Belden said into the camera of her laptop computer.

On her screen were videos of the other six Bob-Whites who were currently working all over the world.

Trixie was in Des Moines, Iowa where she was working for the Iowa Bureau of Crimes in an internship that had begun on January 12. It was supposed to be a six-month internship and she had planned to be home mid-summer. Unfortunately, a little thing called COVID 19 had invaded the country. Her internship had not been cancelled and because of hiring freezes, they had asked her to stay on for another six months. Since her classes had been all virtual, she was able to work part time and attend classes at SUNY Binghamton from Iowa. With all of the travel restrictions and Moms recently diagnosed with high blood pressure, she had opted to stay in Iowa so she wouldn’t risk exposing her parents to the deadly virus. She knew if she was within 300 miles of Sleepyside, she would have been tempted to visit.

“Madame Secretary Honey, will you take roll call,” the other co-president Jim Frayne said.

Jim was currently living in upstate New York and working at a camp for diabetic children. The camp held sessions year-round for kids with Type 1 diabetes. Its goal was to help kids take control of their diabetes and allow the parents to not worry about them during that time. They had camps of different lengths in the summer and weekend camps through out the year. While they had to cancel the in-person camps for the foreseeable future, Jim had been instrumental in developing virtual curriculum and support programs that were being used across several different agencies. He had not been home since February and would live in his bubble until he was able to get a vaccine.

“I will,” replied Honey Wheeler. “Although we all know who is here.”

Honey was the only one currently living in Sleepyside. She had been attending Columbia University in the city and living in her parent’s penthouse apartment for the past three years. When New York State had gone into shut down in the spring she had moved back home to the Manor House where she continued to study virtually as well.

“Dan,” she said. “It looks like you are enjoying the life of leisure. That beach looks divine. The water is so clear and blue. I didn’t think Lake Michigan was that clean.”

Dan Mangan was a warden for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and living in Door County, part of the “thumb” of Wisconsin. He worked at Peninsula State Park and was also part of the DNR’s fire patrol.

“It’s not Lake Michigan,” Dan replied. “It’s Black Sand Beach in Hawaii. I just changed my background on Zoom.”

“At least you have a background,” Jim said. “Someone is not even using their video, Mart.”

Mart Belden didn’t live too far from Trixie but they had only seen each other once in the last nine months. That was when Trixie drove out to Happy Valley Farm where Mart had begun working for Uncle Andrew right after he graduated from college in the spring. He was going to help his uncle develop his flock of Targhee sheep that would be one of the best in the country. Trixie drove out to surprise him on his birthday with social distanced outdoor visit.

“Yeah, Mart,” Dan chided. “What are you hiding?”

“He probably doesn’t want anyone to see the state of his room,” Brian Belden teased.

Brian was doing his residency in pediatric medicine in Spokane, Washington. It had been a stressful time, just starting his first year and with shortage of PPE’s he was surprised he had managed to keep from getting the virus.

“Either that, or he has some girl he’s hiding,” teased Diana Lynch.

Diana was in Australia. What started as a semester abroad in January had been extended. Travel was difficult and she wasn’t comfortable making the flight from Sydney to New York. So, she had extended her visa, found a flat to rent, and volunteered at a local art gallery developing ways to keep business during these trying times.

All of the Bob-Whites were willing to sacrifice during this difficult time, but they didn’t always like it.

“I guess I don’t have to finish the roll call,” Honey said, “Since we all know everyone is here.”

“Mart does need to turn on his video,” Brian insisted. “It’s only fair.”

All of sudden Mart’s video started. The rest of the Bob-Whites started to giggle. Mart definitely had COVID hair. What once was a neat short buzz cut that controlled his blond curls was now about chin length, with tight curls that bounced every time his head moved. While the group could only see from his chest up, it appeared that he had been working out quite a bit and almost resembled an Adonis. In the background you could see an unmade bed with dirty clothes strewn all around.

“Are you happy now?” Mart asked taking a bite of a sandwich.

“What are you eating?” Trixie asked. “It looks like something that died under your bed.”

“It’s my latest Mart special,” he replied. “Basically, it’s Thanksgiving dinner in a sandwich- turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce with green bean casserole on top. Mrs. Gorman is almost as good a cook as Moms.”

Dan groaned. “Don’t mention your mother’s cooking. The closest thing I had to Thanksgiving dinner was a Swanson’s frozen turkey dinner. I should have had a Crabapple special. It would have tasted better.”

For the next few minutes everyone talked about what they had for Thanksgiving dinner. Trixie opted for Chinese take-out because if she couldn’t have Moms’s Thanksgiving Open House feast, she didn’t want any. Honey had the traditional meal with her parents and the live-in staff but she admitted that it wasn’t as good as Mrs. Belden’s. Jim announced that he made the meal for the few year round staff at the camp.

“Well, I got bold,” Diana said. “Of course, they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia but I did decide to do something very Australian and tried vegemite. Don’t need to try that again. Mart, I think I found a food you wouldn’t like.”

The discussion went from one topic to the next with everyone catching up on each other’s lives and adventures.

Finally, Diana said, “I can’t believe this will be first time the Bob-Whites won’t all be together during Christmas. We’ve always managed to get together somehow. I’m going to miss our White Elephant exchange. It’s always good for a good laugh.”

“We could still do it,” Brian said. “People just won’t be able to wait until the last minute to find their gift… Trixie.”

“Yeah, we could set up another Zoom meeting and then go through our ritual of opening them up,” Dan said.

“Maybe it’s time we start a new tradition,” Honey suggested.

“We could,” Jim said hesitantly. He was the one that always insisted they open the gifts in the same order, have the same food and drink, and sing the same Christmas songs.

“I’ve got an idea,” Mart said. “Instead of exchanging gifts, we exchange videos. Whoever you get for a name, you make a video for them. It can be serious, funny, whatever you want. We can set up a Whats App group and post in there. Then we won’t have to worry about time zones or anything.”

Everyone was silent for a moment.

“Okay, maybe it’s a dumb idea,” Mart said.

“No, it isn’t,” Trixie said. “I think it will be fun. If everyone posts a different day it will make the season so much better. Then on Christmas Eve we can Zoom again and sing Christmas Carols and each of us make one of our favorite treats to enjoy while we meet.”

Everyone seemed really excited about the idea except Diana.

“I’ll do it,” she said. “But I am not very creative.”

“Don’t worry about it, Di,” Mart said. “If it comes from the heart it will be perfectly perfect as Honey would say.”

Before they logged off, Trixie drew names for everyone and promised to email them out as soon as they were off the call along with the posting schedule.

Over the next few weeks, the Bob-Whites tried to come up with their videos. Trixie had an idea right away. Mart changed his mind every other day and Diana could not come up with anything.

Finally, December 17 rolled around and it was time for the first video.

Bob-White Christmas Video Group

December 17, 2020

Dan's video:

Jim: That was great, Dan. Thanks for starting this out.

Honey: Thanks, Dan. You made me want to cry.

Mart: I wanted to cry, too. Elvis would be so disappointed.

Trixie: What’s up with the facial hair? Did you lose your razor?

Brian: Way to go! Loved seeing your face and your facial hair.

Diana: I’m never going to match your videos. That was so creative.

Dan: Glad you all liked it. No one said you had to be a good singer as for the facial hair, it’s all the rage in Wisconsin. From the beginning of November through the winter the razor business in Wisconsin comes to a standstill.

December 18, 2020

Mart's video:

Trixie: Thank you for not singing, LOL. Now you have me wanting a bowl of hunter stew.

Brian: That was nice. Say weren’t you the one who suggested this idea. BTW it is a great idea.

Dan: Dude, you made me blush and hungry. You’re right, I tossed that Cowhands jacket out the day I got my BWG jacket. It went in the fire. Even though it was in pretty good condition, I didn’t want anyone else to wear it.

Diana: Oh, that brings back some good memories. I’m so glad you stayed in Sleepyside.

Jim: Would you all be jealous if I told you that I tried to make hunter’s stew last week?

Mart: I don’t know. You said tried. How did it turn out?

Jim: Well, it wasn’t Mr. Maypenny’s but it was good.

Honey: I had some of Mr. Maypenny’s last week. Regan rides out to check on him every few days. He’s been really socially distancing since April. He had left a big jar of stew on the porch for Regan to take back. It was sooo good.

Mart: Don’t tempt me. I might have to get in my car and start heading east. My mouth is already watering.

December 19, 2020

Honey's video:

Mart: Honey, do you know what you just did? You unleashed a mystery on Trixie and there is no one there to bail her out of trouble.

Jim: I don’t think you have to worry. She can’t go far only in her imagination. No gun smugglers, counterfeiters, or imposters to deal with.

Diana: I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t complain about a good mystery if we could all be together to help solve it.

Jim: I agree. I could use a good mystery about now.

Mart: Stop, do you realize what you just said? Do you really want to get involved with another one of Trixie’s mysteries.

Brian: Yes!

Dan: In a heartbeat!

Trixie: Well, I don’t have any mysteries to solve although I could probably make up some Circle Writing Project with those items and create one.

Jim: What the heck is a Circle Writing Project?

Honey: It’s an activity on the Lucy Fanfic Website. You are given a list of so many words and you have to incorporate all of them into a story. It’s really fun to see what people come up with.

Trixie: Thanks, Honey for explaining it. My explanation would have been twice as long and not make any sense. I love the list. It brought back so many great memories.

December 20, 2020

Brian's video:

Brian: Merry Christmas, Jim. Sorry this video is so choppy. I did last night at midnight after a 24 hour shift. I could barely keep my eyes open much less operate the camera on my phone.

Jim: No worries. I’m glad I am able to help you out even though we are on opposite sides of the country.

Mart: You call Jim late at night from Seattle? You do know there is a three hour time difference right?

Jim: That’s what friends are for. Besides, he didn’t mention the times I have called him before breakfast to ask him something and I woke him up in the middle of the night.

Diana: What a nice sentiment. These videos are so fun. It sure has made the holiday season fun. Every morning I wake up ready to see who is posting today. Then I remember the time differences and have to patiently wait for the video. You guys haven’t disappointed yet.

Honey: I agree, Di. This really has been fun. I had fun making mine.

Dan: Great sentiment, Brian. I can’t imagine going through a residency during these times.

Trixie: Sorry, I’m late chiming in. I had a final I had to take this morning and then my boss wanted me to put together a spreadsheet at the last minute. Brian I hope you will get some time off over the holidays.

Brian: I’m afraid not. I actually volunteered to work both Christmas and New Year’s. A lot of the other residents have families in town and since I don’t, I figured I could work. I’d just sit around and feel sorry for myself because I wasn’t with you guys.

Dan: Sounds like Jim might be getting a few phone calls next week.

December 21, 2020

Jim's video:

Diana: That was so nice. It has been really hot here. Snow right now would feel so good. One of the hardest things to get used to being in Australia is the weather, not the type but I wasn’t ready for colder weather in July and December being record highs. It has made getting in the Christmas spirit challenging. I really am going to miss all of you this year.

Brian: We miss you too. But they just approved the first vaccine last week so I have faith that by Christmas if not by the end of the summer things will be really starting to get back to the new normal.

Trixie: I was doing pretty well with not seeing everyone until now. It really is hard, but I think of all of the people who will not see their loved ones ever again at Christmas and realize it’s a small sacrifice.

Honey: Jim, you always know just the right thing to say. I’ll say one thing. This pandemic has really made me appreciate all I have and what some many people have sacrificed.

Mart: No arguments from me. Diana, I already miss your calming influence. I know that you will find a special way to celebrate Christmas this year and then find a way to make it a new tradition.

Dan: You won’t hear me disagree with any of you guys. The Bob-White Spirit is alive and well around the world.

Jim: It was an honor to have your name. We miss you lots.

December 22, 2020

Mart: Who is supposed to post today? It’s noon and I need my fix.

Trixie: Sorry, I was up late last night getting it ready and then completely forgot to post it this morning. Hope you enjoy your gift, Mart.

Trixie's video:

Dan: Trixie, what a different voice you have. Love the ears.

Brian: I think I have heartburn just thinking of all that food.

Mart: Thanks for not cooking, Trixie. Just kidding. It sounds like my normal breakfast.

Diana: I was thinking just about the same thing, Mart. I think I’ve seen you eat just about all of those things. Now I’m hungry for a Wimpy’s hamburger and fries.

Honey: I am hungry for one as well. I guess I could order take out. I probably should since they have been struggling to keep their doors open with take out only.

Jim: Trixie, that was fun. Where did you find that filter?

Trixie: Snapchat. There are all kinds of fun ones.

December 23, 2020

Diana's video:

Honey: Okay, I am now bawling my eyes out. That is one of my favorite Christmas songs and it’s so appropriate for this year.

Brian: Honey’s right. That was a perfectly perfect way to end this gift exchange.

Jim: Simple and Beautiful, Diana, and you were worried about what you were going to do.

Dan: We finally had snow here and my co-worker brought in the mistletoe. Who has the presents?

Trixie: I got Diana’s present yesterday so it’s under my little table top tree.

Honey: Mine arrived, too.

Mart: I just sent mine out today. I know. Think of it this way. The twelve days of Christmas are after Christmas Day. This way you can extend the celebrations and it gives you something to look forward to.

Trixie: Mine haven’t even been bought yet. I have been struggling but I think I know what I’m going to get you guys. It may be late but I think it will be worth it.

Diana: Thanks everyone. Once I started thinking about it, this exchange became fun. It was fun to see how creative everyone was. More importantly, it was just fun to see everyone’s face and hear everyone’s voice.

Brian: I think we have started another new tradition.

Jim: To video gift exchanges!

Trixie: Merry Christmas everyone. I hope all of your dreams are filled with happy memories that include this tradition.

 

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