I like desserts made out of vegetables. Also, I enjoy Herculean challenges. Or self-torture.

My plans for this Thanksgiving involve:

- Buying a pumpkin pie and eating the entire thing myself.

- Possibly buying another pumpkin pie...

- Writing a novel. In five days!

Incidentally, it happens to be National Novel Writing Month. I originally signed up, then decided not to participate because I really have to work, and then realized that not much is going on over Thanksgiving and the subsequent weekend, and that I should write a novel in five days' time. Today, I received this email from NaNoWriMo minion Chris Baty:

"For those of your contending with Thanksgiving travel and longwinded relatives this week, remember: Your novel needs you more than your family does. Hide a laptop in the bathroom, and cut down on food preparation time by letting younger family members forage for food in the backyard or nearby public parks. Uncovering treasure troves of edible acorns and cattail tubers will make the children feel like a valued part of the family, and will offer everyone assembled a welcome respite from tired Thanksgiving staples like turkey and stuffing."