Turkey Day can be stressful! It is a time where if cooking at home can be a huge problem on how do you make all the food get done on time and cooked just right?
But that is not the real stress as this year is complicated by politics. The host discovers the cost of the meal as compared to last year (for the same meal) costs 25% more and so that is significant. Then there are those family members who support a certain party to the extent they wear their red caps during the meal.
This year the hosts had to actually prepare a strategy paper on a list of subjects that could be discussed without the meal ending up in a full-fledged food fight. Boy that sure ended up being a small list. The other tight wire act was the seating to ensure that those who were at war last year are seated apart from those that fought last year.
The family grace at the meal initiation which in itself can be politically charged is now a simple: Thank you and let's eat.
Here are some suggestions for surviving the family Turkey Day.
1. Don't ask questions.
2. Answer only yes or no.
3. Make no comments about food prices.
4. Make no comments about tariffs.
5. No discussions about 2026 mid-terms.
6. No discussions about the shutdown.
7. No comments about political figures.
8. No comments about the media.
9. No comments about the good old days
10. Discussions on ailments limited to 50 words.
Well as you see the list is excluding just about everything and anything. So here is a secret strategy.
Start by connecting to this link which describes the use of the esp32 microcontroller. Memorize this so in your head you can design a simple project. So, while the boring and awful 4-hour Turkey Day event is happening around you... you are doing fun stuff in your head. Alternatively use micro ear buds to listen to a KISS concert.
The esp32 is like an Arduino Nano but on steroids and WiFi and blue tooth capable. Just think of what you can do for next Turkey Day as the mid-terms will be complete. The WiFi offers opportunities to remotely sound claxon horns every time your obnoxious relative says something about Tariffs are good.
Seriously this Turkey Day is shaping up to be ugly and is an omen about 2026. Don't forget those who will not have a Turkey Day meal and you still have time to do something.
Them that know can make things go.
73's
Pete N6QW
