Thanksgiving — what’s not to like? You can binge watch three NFL games from morning ‘til night with turkey and gravy dribbling down your chin as you vicariously enjoy each game. Today starts with the hapless Detroit Lions taking on the almost as hapless Chicago Bears. That morphs into the Chucky-less Las Vegas Raiders versus the America’s team everyone loves to hate: the Dallas Cowboys. The day concludes with the New Orleans Saints sans Drew Brees (but he’ll be announcing the game) versus the surprising northern powerhouse Buffalo Bills.

Instead of football, watch a Yellowstone marathon of the country’s largest cattle ranch (according to the Paramount+ channel’s publicity machine) and all of its incumbent dangers. A Sophie’s choice for y’all as you can only watch one at a time — a day of football or cattle ranching subplots

There’s not a part of celebrating Thanksgiving that I don’t like, especially the family get-togethers. To be able to see my kids and grandkids is the most rewarding part of the day. It is a precious reminder that life goes on and as such it needs to be nurtured, not torn asunder.

As a country — and, more specifically, as a meat and poultry industry of which I have been a proud member for more than 40 years — we have so much more to give and receive. Let’s not seed our own destruction with internecine battles that do little more than destroy our continuing hard fight to win a reputation as providers of nutritious, healthy, great tasting protein raised in a regenerative way for the enjoyment and betterment of all who may, or may not, consume it.

My plaintive cry today, aside from extolling all that Thanksgiving means to me, is for all of us to drop the pernicious sniping at each other. I’m not just talking about the petty name-calling in our industry, but also the vitriolic and vicious taunting exchanged between and among our nation’s political leaders. Please, stop this derisive mocking that is so destructive and certainly not constructive for any of us.

Let’s try to do as Joe Walsh sings in his song, "One Day at a Time":

“Well, I finally got around to admit that I might have a problem.
But I thought it was just too damn big of a mountain to climb.
Well, I got down on my knees and said hey I just can’t go on livin' this way.
Guess I have to learn to live my life one day at a time.”

Admittedly, Joe’s problem was 20 years of vodka consumption, but I think his sentiment may apply in a unique way for many of us within and without our industry, sans the booze, of course. If we can start with today’s thanks and then continue on each day hence, we can lower the level of contempt and more legitimately question the imperfections in our industry and country that need to change.

If you are reading this, you are probably taking a time out from masticating mashed potatoes and gravy coupled with enjoying the succulence of all the rest of the turkey trimmings, not to mention the pies — glorious pumpkin, cherry, apple and pecan pies. You are also probably anticipating tomorrow’s turkey sandwiches of two bread slices, each with a “healthy” dollop of mayo, holding cold carvings of yesterday’s turkey. I can’t wait!

In your moist munchings today and in anticipation of more tomorrow, please be assured that you, like most of the rest of America, are probably tired of hearing about courtroom dramas and Congressional truculence. Today, why not concentrate on becoming properly sated (or should I say stuffed)? Widen your belts a notch or two, sit back in your easy chair and enjoy the day, and try to forget the cable networks’ caterwauling.

We are a proud industry that has so much to offer for the future of our planet, our country and ourselves. Let’s enjoy a day full of togetherness and love because tomorrow will be here too soon.

Give me some good old fashioned football to watch along with a day full of turkey, dressing, mashed spuds all slathered with country gravy, and don’t forget the pies. All of that will make me a happy Thanksgiving camper. How about you?

Thanksgiving, a day at a time

Join for free* to continue reading.