Chapters
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Stan was so excited about making the “garbage can turkey” for dinner he could hardly wait to get to the store.
When Stan got back to Association Island Campground he proceeded to assemble the pit for the turkey. He drove a pointed 2x4 into the ground, covering the 2x4 with aluminum foil. He placed more foil under the turkey and out further than the garbage can would go.
He then thoroughly cleaned and seasoned the turkey inside and out. Stan drizzled a little oil on the turkey and rubbed rosemary and thyme on the bird. He put the turkey neck side down around the 2x4. Stan then placed the large garbage can over the bird and put a 10 lb. bag of charcoal around the rim of the garbage can. He put a little lighter fluid on the charcoal then lit it.
June called out from the trailer, “Stan how long do you cook the turkey?” He answered, “Until the charcoal is cooked down, about 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Before we take it off, I’ll check it with a meat thermometer.” June said to Stan, “that sounds great; the rest of the fixins’ should be done by then.”
Stan decided to bring his TV outside and watch the Buffalo Bills play the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason football game. Stan loved to watch his home team but wasn’t all that fond of preseason football. He sat in his lounge chair nibbling on some chips when he smelled a foul odor. He checked the hoses and tanks on the trailer and everything looked fine. He asked June if she had spilled something in the oven. She said everything was OK.
Stan went on the other side of the trailer and couldn’t believe his eyes. The garbage can over the turkey was melting all around the bird. He yelled, “June, June come quick, something is wrong with the turkey.” She came running out of the trailer and just about broke a rib laughing so hard. “Stan, you ignoramus, you were supposed to use a galvanized steel garbage can, NOT a plastic one!” Why in the world would you get a plastic garbage can?” Stan, in all his indignity, answered, “Because it was cheaper!”
June told Stan “to march right back down to that store and get a steel garbage can on the double” and to get more charcoal and another turkey.” She couldn’t help adding, “see how much money you saved!!”
After the fiasco with the turkey, he finally set up the whole thing again and sat down to watch the Bills get creamed in the second half of the game. He thought, just wait for the regular season to start, we’ll be in the playoffs. Buffalo Bills fans are eternal optimists.
When the turkey was served, they both agreed it WAS the best turkey they ever had, so moist and tender. Stan commented that June outdid herself with the additional side dishes, corn on the cob, rolls, chef salad, cranberry sauce and pumpkin cheesecake bars for dessert.
They were totally stuffed and decided to go for a little moonlight stroll around the island. It was a beautiful night and the stars were shining the brightest they had seen in a long time.
Stan said to June, “this is what retirement is all about. A beautiful setting, great food, a fun time and a wonderful woman to share it with.” Oh, Stan, you can be so romantic. I’m sorry I laughed at you this afternoon when I saw the turkey.” He said he accepted her apology and they continued walking hand-in-hand around the island.
