No better place than our brand-new blog for me to thank TAS, Wlady, and Bob for the chance to be exactly what I’ve always wanted to be, a general interest columnist. It amazes me every week to be able to write for the site.

This Thanksgiving, we are joining what apparently is a growing trend in the U.S., of families who have forgone cooking and simply ordered their dinner out in a whole package from a grocery store or specialty food provider of some kind. We have an excuse. The cook — that’s me — was in the hospital Tuesday for two pieces of minor surgery.

I suspect that what most people remember most about Thanksgiving cooking is the presence on table of some dish treasured by some one family member, but hated by all the rest. For years, my wife insisted on making creamed onions. Only last year did I find out that no one but me likes cranberries — in any form, of any kind.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody.