A Writer's Thanksgiving

‘Twas the morning of Thanksgiving, and under the door,
Wafted the aroma of the turkey I’d bought from the store.
The table was half-set, and I heard the parade,
While I typed like a fiend towards NaNo word counts I’d made.

When out of the kitchen I heard such a clatter,
I sprung from my desk to see what was the matter.

The dog was wolfing down pie, a toaster was beeping—
And all of a sudden, a kid’s book idea came creeping.
I’d file it away, and as I pulled out the burnt toast,
I thought Happy Thanksgiving! Now I've got a blog post.


For some of us, if not most of us, writing has to come in between. Between the day job that pays a regular income, and the too-short weekends to catch up on everything else. Or between fussy babies finally napping—and kindergartners just home from school. And on days like Thanksgiving, between a turkey roasting in the oven, and the guests arriving way too early.

It’s quite a challenge to fit writing time in while the craziness of life swirls all around you. But you know what? I’m grateful for the experiences and the people who swirl in that lively soup. That’s where I get inspiration, ideas, and the impetus to “write it out.”

There was the Thanksgiving I served a raw turkey to my mother-in-law and parents—and learned how to write about asking for help. On another Thanksgiving, I had a baby howling with an earache and a toddler complaining of a bellyache and a husband sitting alone at a beautifully set table with a bowl of black olives and a turkey. It was all so absurd, I laughed out loud—and wrote about the foibles of trying to have the perfect family holiday.

Yep, I’m thankful for Thanksgiving. It’s served up a fair share of writing along with the cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. But honestly, every day is brimming with writing possibilities, and I’m thankful for that cornucopia that tumbles around me.

Oh! And I’m thankful for you, the readers who take the time to stop by and say hello. I so appreciate you squeezing me in, between washing the dishes and hubby asking for leftovers. But now you really should be off. Writing—and pumpkin pie—wait for no (wo)man!


~Cathy C. Hall