The Deck at 260 Part 24 (Thanksgiving Edition)

Thanksgiving 2025 got intense especially once the masses realized I cannot stand deviled eggs. There are some good debates around Thanksgiving, many involving food. 

Deviled eggs or nah? 

I apparently am in the minority (nothing new for me) since I don't like nor eat deviled eggs. I got people wanting to kick me off of my own deck, family threatening to disown me, etc. It seems not only do the majority of people love deviled eggs, those that known me most of my life did not know that I do not like them. My two points of order are: is it so bad given all of the foods that I eat that I not like deviled eggs. Shouldn't that be more for you all?  2. Apparently many folks don't listen to me nor pay close attention. My best guess is because I weigh over 300 pounds that people think I will eat almost anything. Guess what, no? 

Dressing v stuffing: 

Dressing is cornbread based (also based in the South) baked in the oven with ingredients such as onions, celery, chicken broth and stock. Stuffing os the Stove Top type that is stuffed into the turkey that honestly is nasty. This is a when in Rome type deal. Basically you eat what you want but know the difference. It's serious around here even if gravy can go on either. 

Fried or roasted turkey 

This is more of a preference deal. Fried turkey typically is more juicier, quicker to cook and more zesty. Roasted turkey is rarely juicy, dry as the Sahara desert and takes more preparation. Smoked turkey is also an option. Ham is also an option. I like ham also. 

Thanksgiving dinner early or late: 

I'm not a stickler on the time. I will just say many folks (like yours truly) like to househop. Therefore, please try to committ to whatever time you choose. If not, don't be suprised if someone comes late or cannot come. This is Thanksgiving not the club. Get yourself and your family there. If you're hosting, have stuff ready or rethink hosting. 

Eating before the Thanksgiving meal: 

It seems to be a deal to starve yourself before the Thanksgiving meal given how much you plan to consume. If you are eating earlier and/or cooking, this shouldn't be a problem. However if you are eating late, please read with understanding. You are an adult on this deck. PLEASE eat like a grown up and don't let anyone dictate your snacking. A pack of crackers or a banana (anything light) will not spoil your appetite. We need to unlearn these toxic, ridiculous behaviors and wives tales. 

Sweet potato or pumpkin pie: 

Believe it or not, this debate has historical and cultural roots. However given the growing love and obsession over pumpkin pie and the difference in texture, I gotta go with sweet potato pie here. 

No time to experiment. 

Even with YouTube and Tik Tok being great sources for helping someone make great Thanksgiving dishes, it may be best to stick to what you know. 

Major holidays like Thanksgiving, 4th of July, Christmas and Easter aren't the ones where one should bring or make obscure dishes or ones they haven't made before. I have earned the right to make many traditional Thanksgiving dishes but it takes work, practice and patience. If you have a small gathering or even a Friendsgiving, that may be the place. And with the next topic 

Suspect menu items at Thanksgiving: 

This is definitely up for debate depending on where you are at and what the custom is. However the following are items that are getting tired and untouched at many Thanksgiving dinners: 

Anything with green beans

Blackeyed peas 

Cranberry sauce

Anything dry (again we have the Internet and traditional recipes to mitigate this)

Anything with raisins in it that's not a dessert

Any breakfast item (one of few times I might not eat bacon)

Deviled eggs (of course I'm saying this)

Any pasta that's not mac n cheese (which can cross over to the casserole/pie family) 

Casseroles made from random items and vegetables (no-one asked for a corn and hamburger casserole Susan lol)

That's all for now. Hope everyone had a great and safe Thanksgiving holiday! 

The Deck at 260 Part 23

We're back on the deck with this warm weather. This is perhaps the last time this month we will be on the dock and/or have weather this warm. Winter is coming! 

WU Homecoming, ICE, TXAM office, council woman Kasey, mother being attacked by children

WU Homecoming 2025 was overall a vibe. I didn't get to every weekend event and I wore out prematurely. There were several things the University got right. Two in particular were how they recognized those with milestone anniversaries and extending tailgating longer. Now they have to figure out parking logistics especially for on campus events. I loved the golf cart shuttles but perhaps for on campus events have designated parking for alums thst RSVPed. Also do similar for the tailgate. Since other areas surrounding the Coliseum were free and it was the Wild West at around 3pm, anyone that prepaid should have certain spots (incentive to pay for parking). You could even do suggested donations for folks that park on campus or in designated places for free and shuttle to the Coliseum. WU Homecoming has come miles from were it was just a decade ago, now it's time to continue leveling up. I look forward to completing the survey when it is sent. That said, I don't think it's the worst idea to charge for parking at the Coliseum given the crowd. Overall logistics just could be tightened up better. 

ICE being in Charlotte the past week has been a mess. Employees and children have been scared to go to work and school due to fear of being detained. Despite immigration laws being in placed I think after the vote was passed there should have been more clearer avenues and options to protect families against this. The current way it's being conducted is both tyrannical and borders (pun non intended) on a bugaloo type deal. 

The state trooper at the SC/Texas A&M was 100% in the wrong and deserved to be fired. Whether the attack was racial or not, that's not how you do an innocent person. I'm happy that more law enforcement are being held accountable for malicious acts. We now need to work on how ICE agents conduct themselves (see above). 

The city and county council in Gaffney have been under scrutiny over the past couple of years. Now they have/had a councilwoman that got caught for not even occopying a residence in her district. This woman didn't even defend herself and resigned. I will say that the zoning committee needs to be more sharp on candidates regarding when they run (unsure of the exact protocol but I will find out. ). Also, there should be a binannual residence check(again not sure of the exact protocol here.). The takeaway here is that this vetting process definitely needs to be reviewed. I'm sure it happens in other towns and cities. However multiple occurrences within a few years time definitely warrants a resetting of expectations. 

The latest viral video of the week was a woman and her child being beaten up by aggressive and unruly school children. I have so many questions here, the top one being how was this allowed to happen on school grounds? I see the woman has received countless monetary gifts. However this puts into question the safety of this school and how they are keeping track of their students. 

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving holidays! 

The Deck at 260 Part 22

Ok back on the deck with lots to discuss. I should have know it was going to be this type of week leading to WU Homecoming this weekend. 

Trump pedo, shutdown ending, ESPN still out, WU Homecoming, penny going away, church kids, artic blast

The Epstein emails have been released has the government shutdown has ended (for now). It's no suprise Trump has been a pedophile for so long. I don't get deep into politics on the deck but some things are so visible. Why is this man not in federal prison making toilet bowl moonshine with Diddy and Sebastian Telfair. It's not even about Republican or Democrat: it's leadership here. Obama and others were awesome leaders regardless of their party and I wish more people would realize who they are voting for. 

Speaking on the government shutdown, SNAP benefits and other things are restored now. Bear in mind the final congressional session of 2025 is on December 6 and this isn't over. Healthcare and other items could be affected by then. Please stay woke and don't call this a celebration. 

This Disney blackout is getting old and childish. I have learned with these services to keep a converter box and a Firestick and a couple of extra streaming services. YouTubeTV seems good but it's turning out to be a lot like DirecTV was. Recall how cheap Direct was at one point. When I finally cut the cord last year I was paying $180 plus dollars a month. I'm awaiting a package from a competitor that's around $100 with your favorite 5 streaming services. 

The penny is officially going away as the US Mint has stopped manufacturing them. I have mixed feelings on this one. What are we going to do with all the pennies we currently have. How will retail and restaurants thrive. Most of all, if I am mad at a restaurant, do I tip a nickel instead of a penny. I honestly get the American dollar isn't worth what it used to be. I just hope there is an influx of pennies.

We had quite the artic blast here in the South on Monday and Tuesday. Temps dropped from 73 to 33 overnight and Monday afternoon it started snowing! If that's a preview of winter I do not want it! I can't remember that type of conversion in a while. It's currently rising to the 60s on the deck.

I'm realizing that church kids (people raised in church with religious values) simply tend to act better. I've really been deep on psychology lately and the evidence doesn't lie. Proper education is a factor also. I'm wanting to align mhself with better behaved, high vibrational individuals and it seems the church bred crowd is checking on the boxes. Now church people as a whole, that's another rant and topic. 

It's Christmas, my birthday, the Super Bowl, 4th of July, all rolled into one this weekend: Winthrop University Homecoming or WUHOCO2025! My Winthrop days were some of the best in my life and I love reuniting with those folks. I even enjoy being around the ones I don't associate with that closely. We're like one big family and with Thanksgiving so close it gives all the feels.  

See you next time!