By Joe McKenzie
1,317,934: That’s a number above one million. It’s not an amount of money. I wish. It’s a rank in Amazon bestsellers. They use the phrase best seller loosely, I guess. This was for a book title that I had put on hold at the public library. It came in. This psychological novel is waiting on the alphabetical hold shelf for me. Exciting! Reviews said the story is supposed to be good. Only 8 left in stock. I think the key is that it was just released a month ago. Plus, the author is Portuguese. Our library jumped on it. Ahead of the curve, I hope. I better read this one. What if no one else buys and reads it? It could remain behind a million other sort of bestsellers. The author and family will be crushed. I can’t let that happen.
Spinach Balls: Have you been searching for the perfect recipe for spinach balls? Me neither. But, I found one. The recipe comes with a person’s name. That name has a family. I know these people. Somehow this delicate treat might taste just a wee bit better because of who contributed this recipe to a church recipe book. It was quite a few years ago. So, it’s been simmering between the pages of a fundraising recipe book all this time. I like that concept. It’s like friendship that simmers on warm over many years and shows up again, even when I’m not actively looking. Maybe this is a revival year for spinach balls! Don’t forget the dash of garlic powder. Just a dash.
A pie: Being nice. Someone is being nice and giving us a cherry pie for Thanksgiving. They do it annually. I’ve been thinking of pie. Earlier this year the mulberries on the trees along the trail at Lakewood Park were ripe. They were reachable and sweet, wild and free. But, once the low hangers were picked, the only berries left seemed to be up high. That sounded like the words a pie, which made absolute sense with vanilla ice cream. To have enough berries for a whole pie was beyond our ability to reach, shake, collect, and carry home to make and bake. So, no warm, wild mulberry summer pie. I had to settle for ice cream. Ah, but now someone is sharing the wealth and part of my joy will be the sweet taste of thanks for their giving.
Tablescapes: You want your dinner table to look fabulous, so you create a tablescape around a theme. You can hire a tablescape consultant. Or can you? I like how the word escape is at the end of the table scape. Of course, this is for special events and parties, like someone’s 100th birthday, a 9th anniversary or a toddler becoming potty-trained. Imagine that joyous and relieved table. You don’t usually tablescape on a typical Thursday dinner with leftovers. When the world seems like it could blow up any day now, concerns about the theme of a table seem unreal in most parts of the universe. Just keep it simple: Cook. Candle. Wine. Pray. Eat.
Leftovers: What is it about not eating good food leftover from yesrterday? is it better or worse? Some guys will not touch them. That’s crazy and wasteful. With the season of cooking-too-much upon us, leftovers are inevitable. And, they often bring good memories with each bite. Plan ahead. Think everything-all-at-once turkey sandwiches. Savor next-day pie. Plus, it’s soup season. Let those flavors mix together. Restaurants often create Specials with leftover food. We buy them. Have you ever had a leftover guest?
