For Thanksgiving this year, the whole clan assembled at my brother Eric’s house in Virginia for some good, clean, down-home, redneck Thanksgiving fun.

I’d never heard of fried turkey until I made some Southern redneck friends. One of those Southern friend actually managed to burn down his house frying a turkey, which tells me that even redneck cooking has to include an element of danger. I’m also sure that Virginia is part of the South, because Virginians like my brother fry turkey too, usually after hunting it down and killing it.

I expected something on the order of Kentucky Fried, but it was tender and juicy – and delicious! Turns out, Virginia Fried Turkey, when done properly (which means not burning the house down) is probably the best way to cook a turkey. Who knows, maybe the rednecks are on to something?

The Entire Clan, celebrating the holiday together for the first time in a decade.

Dad, Mom, Christopher, Janna, Eric and Fiona give thanks for the copious redneck feast.

What redneck Thanksgiving would be complete without shooting something? Not ours! As a perfect digestion aid, my brother broke out the ol’ crossbow, and we took aim at a poor, defenseless foam deer in the backyard.

Eric demonstrates proper Redneck crossbow-firing technique.

And proper arrow grouping. This deer would’ve been dispatched quickly.

The peanut gallery watches in stunned silence as I take my turn.

With a grouping like that, venison would be on the dinner menu for certain.

Fiona was up next.

I protect Christopher as Fiona takes her turn.

Fiona demonstrates how to paralyze, but not kill Bambi. Shot this way, you’d have to finish the deer off with the ol’ pickup truck.

Up Next – Frenchy Senior (sorry Dad!)

Somehow, Frenchy Senior manages to miss the deer entirely, sinking the arrow halfway into a nearby tree.

And also manages to give himself a nice head wound in the process.

Fortunately for Dad, we have a nurse standing by.

All patched up, Frenchy Senior seeks revenge. One thing Dad taught us is, bloody head wound or not, never, ever give up.

Mom protects the young ‘un – and has 911 already dialed on the phone, just waiting to press send.

This time, Dad the Deer Slayer bags his trophy.

Author: frenchy

One Response to “Redneck Thanksgiving”

1. Stan-Rhode Island says:

   November 28, 2007 at 8:52 AM

   Love the pictures of your family Thanksgiving. I haven’t seen your mom and dad in over 10 years. They still are looking good…..can I make the same claim for myself??

   Next time you talk to your father, ask him what we have in common.

   And keep the bow and arrow away from him in the future. !!

   Stan – East Providence RI

   Reply