It’s sunny and very hot day today, beds made, meals cooked, house cleaned up, now what? Well, in my house all too often, it signals “all clear” to go sit down in a comfy place and read my latest cookbook. Yes, you read correctly, not a novel or pins and needle thriller, a cookbook.
Cookbooks
I think it began at eighteen when I was given a Betty Crocker cookbook. You know the one with the red and white pattern on the cover. It was with that first cookbook I learned the basics needed to enjoy the art of daily cooking. At first, it was just to learn how to make a roast like my mom’s, but somehow it was not the same. So, surely, I must need more cookbooks! That is where it all began— my obsession with collecting cookbooks.
It has been many, many years since that first Betty Crocker book and now my hall closet with three shelves is filled from top to bottom. Books for cakes, for pies, for meat, for pasta. Books for Chinese, Mexican, Soul Food and more. I began comparing recipes from book to book and really reading about what inspired the recipes. Now that my closet is full, not a space for even one more, thankfully, there is the internet!
Recipes
I have joined way too many foodie groups on Facebook, and yes, I read the recipes. A few months ago, I began to notice a member that posted a photo of his breakfast every morning without the recipe. A day or so later, I noticed Harold had posted again— biscuits and gravy, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh sliced tomatoes. No recipe, just a photo, but he added something that day, a coffee mug that said “world’s best dad.” A few days later, Harold posted again a similar meal but now on a fancy plate instead of paper, like the first one. And so, every day Harold started getting lots of “likes” and people were leaving comments. From his photos and the clues like the mug, it occurred to me that Harold might be alone. But through his pictures of his breakfast, he had found friends who would communicate with him. Each day, the photo would have a little extra touch.
Community
After a couple of months of daily posts, suddenly, they stopped. I began to notice a few people had gone to his last post to say, “Hey Harold, you okay? We miss your posts.” I think we all worried something happened to him. Finally, a week or so later, there was the familiar biscuits and gravy with bacon or sausage, maybe a change with the egg being over easy. No explanation why he had stopped. Over a little bit I noticed Harold was saying “thank you” to Susan who commented on how yummy the gravy looked and saying her gravy never looked so good. Next thing I see, Harold is replying to her and sharing how to make the gravy.
What I soon realized was that Harold was able to start his day feeling good, people knew he existed. They knew he and Buddy, his dog, enjoyed having breakfast together as he usually mentioned giving Buddy something. They knew he was a good grandfather — his mug said so. When asked how he made the hashbrowns, he gladly shared. I was able to witness how even strangers being kind on the internet was making his day better. He noticed that someone cared when he was gone, and that was important.
Give Joy
I think sometimes we feel we just don’t have enough time to do much for others. Perhaps, we do not have the extra money with our own budgets being stretched just to stay afloat. This habit of reading recipes to relax taught me how little it can take sometimes to make someone happy. We need to always look for ways to give a little joy, to help someone know they matter. We might find the opportunities in unusual ways. Share a little joy, and it will make your day much brighter.
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