Dear Ellen,
There is something indeed to rubbing down your own whole chicken, and dealing with 'giblets' and all. It makes you feel connected to all those who have gone before...and who had to select a nervous chicken...who's it gonna be? Who's it gonna be? :) Anyway, not to be morbid. I love the Southerness of your family's cooking and it makes me sad to not be there to absorb more of your 'ways!' And if you were here I could teach you some good old Swedish breads and cookies!! Yah!