It’s Time to do “The Albuquerque Turkey”!

Music – “The Albuquerque Turkey” from Thanksgiving Songs That Tickle Your Funny Bone by Ruth Roberts. Released: 2015

CLICK ABOVE TO PLAY MUSIC

Note:  first published on 10/09/2015

Well, readers, as you probably know, while you will be carousing and carrying on next Monday on Columbus Day (and in some places, now known as Indigenous Peoples Day), I will be celebrating Thanksgiving. That would be Canadian Thanksgiving, eh? Some have asked, why do Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October and not in November, like civilized people? Is it because in our perpetual goal to maintain our “Canadian-ness”, we just picked a different date to differentiate us from the Americans?

I’d hate to see the unfortunate outcome of this experiment! (Photo Credit: http://www.onceivegone.com)

Actually, there are several thoughts on the subject, but the most common one suggests that the reason it occurs earlier than the US Thanksgiving is that because Canada is north of the United States (the Great White North, eh?), the harvest season occurs earlier. However, what most Americans don’t realize is that Canadians have been celebrating Thanksgiving since 1578, when explorer Martin Frobisher, after arriving in Newfoundland (that’s in Canada, eh?) held a ceremony of gratitude after surviving the long, treacherous journey from Europe. The Mayflower and the Puritans didn’t arrive in America until 1621. Another Canadian first!

Anyone who used to watch Julia Child cook will remember her dance with the turkey! (Photo Credit: http://www.thecookinmama.com)

The official Canadian Thanksgiving day was originally held in April, when, in 1872, Canadians celebrated the recovery of King Edward VII from a serious illness. The date was moved several times from the original April, to November and back to October.

Help…I’ve lost my legs! (Photo Credit: http://www.eatocracy.cnn.com)

In 1957 the Canadian Parliament finally settled on Thanksgiving to be celebrated on the second Monday in October, where it has remained ever since. The best part about being a Canadian living in the US? I get to celebrate in October and November (perhaps I’m eating more than my quota of turkey, though)

Kids, don’t try this at home! (Photo Credit: http://www.vgscomputing.com)

One of the ever-present downsides of having Canadian Thanksgiving in Albuquerque, however, is the difficulty of finding fresh cranberries (not), or even frozen ones in early October. Once or twice, our local Albertson’s did have them in stock, but that must have been a fluke due to an early harvest. This year, I couldn’t even find a whole frozen turkey…. just some piddling little “turkey breast meat” things. I finally had to order one from a local meat/butcher, which cost me substantially more than my traditional Butterball or equivalent. So, now I have my “Albuquerque Turkey”, and even found music to match!

In the spirit of the season, enjoy the gallery of photos of turkey mishaps (not mine!), which I found. It will be your turn in November, so pay attention! But, beware! According to crop experts, there is likely to be a canned pumpkin shortage this fall, caused by heavy rainfall in the Midwest. So, think “Canadian” and run, don’t walk to your local supermarket and grab those cans of pumpkin now!

CLICK ON THE FIRST PHOTO TO START THE SLIDE SHOW

What is wrong with this picture? (Photo Credit: http://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com)

I’d hate to see the unfortunate outcome of this experiment! (Photo Credit: http://www.onceivegone.com)

Anyone who used to watch Julia Child cook will remember her dance with the turkey! (Photo Credit: http://www.thecookinmama.com)

“I know it’s just the two of us, dear, but you know how much you like leftovers” (Photo Credit: http://www.thisiswhyyourehuge.com)

Seared and charred are one thing, but incineration is another! (Photo Credit: http://www.io9.com)

Here’s the solution for those who don’t like to cook (Photo Credit: http://www.guy-sports.com)

There must have been a turkey shortage this particular Thanksgiving. (Photo Credit: http://www.thebraiser.com)

Kids, don’t try this at home! (Photo Credit: http://www.vgscomputing.com)

Help…I’ve lost my legs! (Photo Credit: http://www.eatocracy.cnn.com)

No comment. (Photo Credit: http://www.pinterest.com)

Ever see a turkey with a leather fetish? (Photo Credit: http://www.foodsdelicious.info)

Another novel approach to cooking the Thanksgiving bird (photo Credit: http://www.smosh.com)

Any follower of Mr. Bean will recall the Christmas turkey fiasco (Photo Credit: http://www.hitc.com)

Don’t become too attached to your turkey. After all, you are going to cook him shortly. (Photo Credit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com)

“Gee, I wish I had measured the inside of my oven!” (Photo Credit: http://www.pinterest.com)

“Where did it come from?” “I just saw it rocketing across the parking lot from that guy’s backyard fryer” (Photo Credit: http://www.hamous.org)