Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Welcome, Sharon Donovan

Hi Ginger and thank you for having me on your blog today. Thanksgiving is upon us, a time to give thanks. It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday madness and forget what the holiday represents. Did you start planning the menu for the perfect meal? What are you waiting for? The clock is ticking.

Time to rush off to the market, buy the plumpest turkey to please Grandma, Aunt Tillie, that dear but hard to please mother-in-law, the hubby, kids, grand kids and everyone in between. Butterball or Honeysuckle? Fresh or frozen? How many pounds? Why oh why can’t I remember who likes mashed potatoes and who hates sweet potatoes? Will the strawberry jello set this year or melt into the green bean casserole and form a jaundice ball of something inedible? Oh dear, what kind of cranberry sauce was it that refused to roll out of the can, the one I swore I’d never buy again if my life depended on it? What would my guests think if I put them through that fiasco again. By time Uncle Chuck finally whittled it out with a sledge hammer, it lost its appeal.  Pumpkin or apple pie? What exactly is minced meat pie? Does anyone really know?

Don’t get your feathers in a ruffle. No matter how much fretting goes into the preparation of the Thanksgiving meal, the best laid plans…

When the holiday madness gets to me, I always think of my cousin’s ‘Perfect Thanksgiving’ when she lived in California. It was a warm sunny day, the amber leaves of autumn rustling with every gentle breeze. The family was gathered around the beautifully set table, the wine was poured in the best goblets, the twelve-pound turkey  was baked to a crisp golden brown, and all the trimmings were as picture-perfect as the rest of the holiday setting.. The family had just joined hands to give thanks for the mouth-watering meal when a loud buzzing broke into their revelry. The man next door was having his tree cut down.  Annoyed but determined not to let the loud hissing ruin the perfect holiday, once again, they joined hands. Once more, the prayer of thanks was drown out. The third time was not a charm. The tree crashed through the dining room window, splitting the table in half, smashing the turkey and all the trimmings to smithereens.

Fortunately, no one was hurt. Much later over pizza and beer, they gave thanks and counted their many blessings. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Don’t get your feathers in a ruffle. It’s not about the brand or size of the turkey, it’s not about the jello or cranberry sauce or pie. It’s about family and giving thanks. Take time to count your many blessings and appreciate the loved ones at your table. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sharon Donovan lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her family. Prior to the loss of her vision, she was a legal secretary for the Court of Common Pleas where she prepared cases for judges in Domestic Relations. Painting was her passion. When she could no longer paint, she began attending creative writing classes and memoir workshops. After a long and winding road, a new dream arose. Today, instead of painting her pictures on canvas, Sharon paints her pictures with words.
Sharon writes stories of inspiration and suspense. She has certificates in business and medical transcription. Echo of a Raven, a narrative non-fiction about her struggles with diabetic retinopathy, received a CTRR award for outstanding writing, and The Claddagh Ring is a 2009 CAPA nominee for best inspirational of the year. Mask of the Betrayer was voted book of the week at LASR and its video by Triad Productions was a second place winner at You Gotta Read. Other books by Sharon Donovan are Touched by an Angel, Lasting Love, Her Biggest Fan and Charade of Hearts. You can visit Sharon at
or write to her at:

12 comments:

  1. A tree through the table would definitely make for a memorable Thanksgiving. Goodness. Glad no one was hurt! And you are so right. It's a time to give thanks and enjoy loved ones. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the holiday of food.

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  2. Holiday jitters are upon me! So much to do and I haven't even begun - no wait! I bought 2 cans of sweet potatoes! Whew! All is not lost! Great post, Sharon!

    LOL - the tree through the window! Not funny but funny!

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  3. You wouldn't want table decorations quite so dramatically laid! I'm sure no one will forget it though.

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  4. Hi Ginger and Sharon
    Wow! That was certainly a Thanksgiving to remember!Sadly we don't have Thanksgiving here in the UK - although several years ago, a former friend, who was also a chef (how did I let HIM go? :) ) Invited me to his restaurant for a meal and laid on a full Thanksgiving dinner - it was wonderful, and I wish I could do it every year, but no, I'll have to wait until Christmas for turkey and all the trimming.

    Oh mincemet pie? If it's the same thing we have here? It's just dried vinefruits and cherries with suet (I use vegetable suet) and brandy just melded together and baked in a pie. You can buy mincemeat of course but I prefer the homemade stuff - and we usually have it in small individual pies. I think it's called mincemeat because in the olden days it was made with minced meat rather than fruit.

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  5. Great post, Sharon. Having a tree come crashing through your home onto the table certainly would put things into perspective.

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  6. Hi Ginger, thank you for having me as your guest today, always a pleasure chatting with you. Patsy, Calisa, Lyn, Nancy and Katherine, thanks for commenting. I rather think a tree crashing through the window is a wake up call to count your blessings and make every day count. Lyn, you rascal, shoulda grabbed on to the chef LOL

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  7. Ohmagosh, what a story. I never saw that coming. well, thank goodness no one was hurt--amazingly. Great blog.

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  8. Sharon, that story you told makes me think of a Saturday Night Live skit or a Chevy Chase movie. LOL I can't imagine something like that happening. The holiday story I like is that one of my friends had gone to her in-laws' house for Thanksgiving. Her mother in law was a big, big woman. At the end of the meal, she said, "Oh Lord, I just have to have one more bite." And when she took the bite, her chair collapsed under her and dumped her on the floor. She wasn't hurt, but to this day, I still picture that and have to laugh at the perfect timing of it. I think for Thanksgiving this year we will be doing something non-traditional--there's a wonderful Mexican restaurant nearby that does the Festive Fajita Pack for 10--this means, EVERYTHING except drinks--including chips, salsa, beans, rice, fajita meat and tortillas--sour cream, guacamole and pico, and cheese dip. All for around $60. Can't beat that! Now, can I borrow Oliver to serve it? Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
    Cheryl

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  9. Hi Sarah, no one saw it coming until it was too late, timber!
    Cheryl, a Saturday Night Live is a good comparison. LOL That's a good one about the chair breaking. Maybe we can put it together in a skit Have a fabulous Thanksgiving, Mexican style!! Oliver sends his love!

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  10. Sharon is one talented, amazing author. Who can put you on the edge of your seat if not make you fall of with fear!
    The world of art's loss is certainly the answer for us in the reading world. Love you!

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  11. Sharon, All I can say is wow! A tree comes crashing through the house? They had a lot to be thankful for.

    I'll bet after that nobody worried about the cranberry sauce, jello, or turkey.

    I'm glad no one was hurt.

    To you and Ginger: Have a Blessed Thanksgiving.

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  12. Thanks Mary for your kind and flattering accolades. Laurie, how true about cranberries being a crushed memory. LOL
    Ginger, thank you so much for the spotlight. Wishing one and all a blessed Thanksgiving.

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