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Cheri – you couldn’t have picked a better time than today’s newletter to include your post.  I’m originally from Tidewater Virginia (now in Australia – long story) and my maternal grandmother had 5 children – 4 of which were married with families of their own.  Grandma decided that rather than have the annual struggle of who to spend Thanksgiving she would excuse everyone from attending on the Thursday and all were expected at her house on Thanksgiving Saturday for an oyster roast.  Problem solved and it was a great break from turkey and ham.  Grandma died in 1975 and my mother, being the only daughter, took over the responsibility for the annual Oyster Roast.  The roasted oysters are the constant, saltine still in the sleeve, Frank’s hot sauce and melted butter with tiny crabs inside some of the oysters being a bonus!  For the none oyster eaters (you can’t pick your relatives!) there is chicken salad, brunswick stew, pecan – coconut custard and pumpkin pies for dessert.  With both my dad’s family and my mom’s plus all the neighbors and friends added on over the years you can have anywhere from 15 to 50 on the day.  As the oldest, once I got my drivers license, one of the cars would be left on the back street in case we started running low on oysters.  I could quietly sneak away to pick up another couple of bushels!  On the odd occassion where there were any left you could count on oyster stew for breakfast which was my idea of heaven.  The tradition continues today except some of the invitations have gone out via facebook and while I won’t be there in body – there is no question I’ll be right there at my dad’s elbow if only in spirit!  Happy Thanksgiving to you all!