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In New England, it is tradition around this time of the year, to hold Turkey Raffles. It's a way for all the local organizations to raise money. The Fire Department, schools, American Legion and all the Social Clubs will fill to the brim as people gather to get, "three spins for a buck." Although there are several variations, the standard practice is to spin a numbered wheel. If the number matches your ticket, you win the prize. First spin is usually a turkey, or a roast or a pork loin. Second spin may be a bottle or a bag of potatos, and third, a kilbasa or such.

Tonight, I will help prepare two large pots of beef stew for tomorrow's raffle at my sportman's club. (Beagle club) Me and Pete will begin late this afternoon with all the dicing and chopping and cooking. I am the tatste-master, approving the final result. On Friday night, we will reheat and serve, for free, until it is all gone. I get a free turkey for this, but I get much more....

I love to cook, to create. I like Pete's company. He's a little, hardworking, good hearted, scrapper of a Frenchman. (Canadian) We have performed this role for many years now and I know that he looks forward to it as much as I do. Serving from our kitchen window is fun. We also put out a tip jar and buy raffle tickets from any money we receieve. Last year, I won a five pound live lobster. I took it home and cooked it the tradional New England way; by tossing it into a pot of boiling water. Let's just say that next time, I will give it away. I don't have the heart to do that twice..

We are having unseasonably warm weather. I am equipped to heat with all wood but I have less than a cord. I have yet to turn on the oil heat. I love the heat from wood. The smell of wood smoke on a winter night. Oil is at an all time high. I'm digging around looking for free wood wherever I can. My fraternity of Freemasons has it at $30 a cord if I go retrieve and cut myself, from behind the lodge. Thirty dollars isn't much but it is still hard to come by. And the time.....and my twisted spine...Oooooo, the misery!!! LOL....I'll let you know how it goes.

Comments

Don Iannone, D.Div., Ph.D. said…
Wonderful thoughts shared. Thanks Tim.

So you are a freemason. Please tell me more. I have been curious about the organization, but when I look at the website pictures of the members of the lodge nearest me they seem to be all old white guys wearing costumes. I know there is more and I am genuinely curious. Thank you!
8:39 AM
Anonymous said…
the lobster thing is something we do here a lot - well not me. I've never gotten over the screams! i used to think my mother was a murderess when i was a child! LOLwe call them crayfish here...adapted from "crawfish" I imagine? anyway that all sounds like so much fun..reminds me of school fairs...tombola, candy floss, teddy bears and bagpipes!
3:12 PM
tao1776 said…
Cape...tombola, candy floss, teddy bears and bagpipes????? WHA?
....Bagpipes are in my soul....but everything else is quite foreign!
Don - I will on another post make a mason review. I promise!
8:12 PM
Anonymous said…
teddy bears are foreign? can't be!? lol candy floss is cotton candy to you! yeah my mom did scottish sword dancing when she was younger and she taught me some too. My uncle Gilbert played the pipes quite well actually! Can you play? One of my favorite sounds in the world!
6:44 AM
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