Ant Man is lamenting the unusual size of our turkey. When agri-giant Butterball declared 2013 a bad year for turkeys to explain their smaller-than-usual production of (presumably) wizened, skinny little poults, I ordered a fresh, organic, free-range bird from our local natural foods store, just large enough for dinner for four. Delivered was a behemoth of almost 18 pounds, with an apology for the unexpected near-emu. It was certainly a fabulous year for organic turkeys, which gained more weight than usual. I guess we will, too.

The size expansion kind of derailed Ant Man’s original plan- he was going to roast the turkey flat, butterflied a la Mark Bittman. But this big bird, laid out flat, would flop over the side of every pan we own. Therefore it is being roasted in the traditional Thanksgiving turkey fashion: on its back, tanning like a sunbather on a nude beach.

Our little feast will be celebrated in the delightful company of a student from Croatia, experiencing her first Thanksgiving, and our beloved niece from Boston, who gamely decided the perfect place to spend the holiday is out on the prairie with her aunt and uncle. Ant Man is going with the flow, roasting up the biggest turkey he’s ever tackled. All is harmony. We’ll eat like kings. For days and days.

And speaking of giving thanks, I’m thankful, as always, to have you here. Wherever you are, wherever you live, whether you eat turkey or not, have a fine, peaceful, and harmonious day, too.