Small Miracles, and Other Random Thanksgiving Thoughts
“Edward McAllister”
Some of you might remember me as “Diamondback” over at Redstate, returning to writing here after a long hiatus. Mostly I moderate the comment section, but I hope to pitch in a few more pieces here and there as I see things of relevance.
My mind usually tends to wander a little before the Thanksgiving holiday, reflecting on all the little things to be thankful for. Recently, I received an interesting lesson on perspective from an unlikely (and extremely small!) source. In a nutshell, if you’re looking for signs of God in the big things and not feeling like you’re seeing much, try the little things—the old saying is “the devil is in the details,” but so is God. His genius in creation can be found more, like in the ninety-plus percent of the DNA strand we share with lowly bacteria and all the little things that have to go perfectly right for there to be life at all.
My own lesson in this came in a heartwarming holiday moment from, of all things, a squirrel that lives in our front yard—we call him Lefty because when he first showed up he had a bum right foreleg, and the little guy’s become like family. Every morning over the summer he was climbing on our window screens at wakeup time like a fuzzy little alarm clock. He’s usually found either at the front door or using the lid flap on his feeder to remind us when it’s time to break for our own meals, and most helpful he’s usually on the lookout from his favorite tree watching for us to get home from the Saturday grocery run/Neighborhood Watch shift/etc errands.
That way, he can keep the Old Crab (yes, my mother knows I call her this, she’s a Cancer and started the whole thing!) focused on him and treats rather than badgering me while I work on getting the groceries put away and the car put to bed for the week. Plus the stress management help; usually when I need a break from live-in care or I find myself with the urge to reach through the internet and throttle some joker at the office. The little guy’s up for taking my mind off it by chasing peanuts or taking pecan and walnut pieces out of my hand. Sometimes when I’m not moving fast enough or the aches and pains of having burnt the candle at both ends in early life are catching up with me, he’ll even climb up my pant leg or onto the cooler next to my porch chair so I don’t have to reach as far.
Anyway, there was a streak a couple weeks ago where the little fuzzball wasn’t there for groceries, and missed most of the following week… and then sitting down to take a few minutes’ breather and recenter from the usual stresses, I noticed this brownish-gray streak heading straight across the yard for my left leg, Lefty wrapping his forepaws around my calf just above boot-top level considerably longer than would be needed teeing up the climb to my knee. Proof to me at least that there is a God, because only one of His Own Miracles could squeeze such a big heart into such a tiny little body—and a reminder that He sometimes hides His work in the smallest and least expected places.
A Contribution For The Recipe Box
It’s a little late to share for this Turkey Day, but my aunt’s cheeseball recipe might be something to taper off on. She only made this twice a year, Thanksgiving to Christmas and Easter, and while we lost her to a no-warning heart attack last September sharing her recipe is a small way to keep part of her memory alive.
Sharp Cheddar Garlic Cheese Ball
2x 8oz cream cheese, softened
2 sticks butter or margarine
2 jars Kraft Old English Sharp Cheddar Cheese Spread
1 tbsp granulated or minced garlic
3 tbsp vinegar
optional: chopped walnuts, grated cheese
Cream together softened butter and cream cheese until well mixed. Add in jars of cheese spread and mix well. Last add vinegar and garlic. (Aunt Linda’s note: “I put the garlic in the vinegar while I blend the cheeses.”)
Roll in ball or log. Then roll in chopped walnuts or granulated cheese. Batch can be divided into smaller servings. (Aunt Linda’s note: “I usually make 1/2 recipe but the same amount of garlic and vinegar.”)
Bon appetit! Consider this an Open Thread, where you’re invited to share your own family traditions, favorite recipes or anything else that crosses your minds as they meander in and out of food-comas today.
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