THE LUNAR REPORT - "AROMA" September 6, 2010
Being alone is something I chose. And it suited me well. For a while.
A few nights ago, I made a pot of Brunswick Stew. I was asked to do that for some good friends - my family really.
I was alone in my apartment, stewing chicken and onions and potatoes. The aroma was, well… it brought back memories. A whole pot full.
My brother is 9 years older than me. Maybe 8. Honestly, I’ve never been able to remember that. But I do remember the Friday nights or Wednesday nights before Thanksgiving or other nights when he would return home to Jacksonville from being a student at Elon College in North Carolina. Those were the nights I remember smelling the Brunswick Stew aroma from my mom’s kitchen. It was a standard “welcome home” meal. I usually smelled and tasted the very same thing the times I returned home from college and elsewhere. I’ve done the same for my son. Once or twice. Most times with my son, it’s the aroma of Mama’s spaghetti he wants most.
A couple more of my youngins’ returned home from college last weekend. To their homes with their Mom or Dad. Zach and Sammie. Their mom cooked some stuff for them to take back to school. She asked me to make Brunswick stew for them. So I did.
It smelled good as it was cooking. Just like it did when Mama cooked it so many years ago. But as I worked and cooked and worked some more, and stirred the stew and smelled its juices simmer, I noticed some things missing. The main ingredients. There was no Mama or Daddy or sister or brother to share the smell. There was no son coming home. There was no Zach or Sammie coming to my home. Their mom wasn’t here either. There was no one. Just me. Mama’s Brunswick stew recipe calls for others to smell it simmer. I discovered that a few nights ago.
This is the life I chose. I left Zach’s and Sammie’s mom a year and a half or more ago. She is back in my life somewhat these days. I hope she returns full force soon. After she overcomes my leaving her the way I did.
It’s just too damned hard to fix Brunswick stew when you’re alone. You know?
For Mama's recipe and more, click HERE for "More Lunacy."
Categories: Life
Tags: people courage family Life sports angels inspiration advice Brunswick stew encouragement passion humor recipe cooking understanding
Please visit the sites of some of my friends.
Good point. Stew is a group therapy thing. My son has mom's special every time he is home from college. He even cooks it up himself at school - for his roommates. One of those life memories. A good thing, eh? I guess, for you, nostalgic too.
Reply to this
Thanks Vic... It seems to me, then, that you know exactly what I am saying. I will never forget the first time my son called me to ask me how to make my mom's spaghetti. It was special. The second, third and fourth times he called, however, I had to insist that he write it down and save it somewhere! Thanks for reading, Vic.
Reply to this
I can still remember the aromas from my mother's and both grandmother's kitchens. And, now, it brings back such special memories. Your youngun's will always remember YOUR stew, David. And, for years to come it will be their "comfort food"
Reply to this
MJ - I know how special are your own "comfort food" memories. But your last line got to me. My mom's legacy will live for a long, long time, I'm thinking.
Reply to this
Being alone has some definite advantages, it's true. Especiall7y for loner people like me. But things like stew...yes, it does cry out for lots of spoons to dip into the pot, doesn't it? I hope you get your spoons back soon.
Reply to this
I think your response, Deborah, got to me the most. I, too, am a loner. I always have been really. Over the years I have learned to enjoy the company of others a great deal. But the "loner" part of me keeps putting me back in my place. That had much to do with things a year and a half ago, I am thinking. But you recognized exactly what I was saying. The spoons. Incredible. You touched me big-time, Deborah. Thank you.
Reply to this
Loved the column and the recipe! And Brunswick Stew would not be complete without those beans. I'm going to give it a try too.
Reply to this
Thanks Anne. I really appreciate that. You know, I used to really hate "butta beans" as we call them around here. But they have to be a part of the stew! Maybe it makes people like me appreciate everything else in the stew that much more! Thanks for reading. And for your support, Anne.
Reply to this
I really thankful to you for this great read!! You did a very great job, keep it up.
Reply to this
I really like following your blog as the articles are so simple to read and follow. Excellent. Please keep up the good work. Thanks.
Reply to this
Amazing!I also wish him good luck to defend his gold medal. I like to share it with all my friends and hope they will also encourage him.
Reply to this
Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so, Excellent post!
Reply to this
Just wanted to grant you a shout from the valley of the sun, great information. Much appreciated.
Reply to this
Wow nice information you have shared here. Actually Google made searching of information easy on any topic. Well keep it up and post more interesting blogs
Reply to this
This article was extremely interesting, especially since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last week
Reply to this
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.
Reply to this
I really appreciate your professional approach. These are pieces of very useful information that will be of great use for me in future.
Reply to this
Great work dude, u gave nice post to us. Thanks for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic.
Reply to this
Thanks for providing such useful information. I really appreciate your professional approach. I would like to thank you for the efforts you made in writing this post. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well.
Reply to this
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.
Reply to this
While reading your blog it seems that you research on this topic very much. I must tell you that your blog is very informative and it helps other also.
Reply to this
Hey I want to know how you found this blog template from I want it!
Reply to this
Great site. I like the way you explain everything without using complicated terms.
Reply to this
I do not intend to copy this website, but I really like the template. Could you touch upon which theme are you using or is this customized for this website?
Reply to this
Hi, Thanks for sharing such a wonderful piece of information. I must say that while reading your post I found my thoughts in agreement with the topic that you have discussed, which happens very rare.
Reply to this
This is a clear writing and very satisfied to find this site. I will surely be back again to look at some other significant posts that you have in future.
Reply to this
I think this post will be a excellent read for my blog readers too, could you please permit me to post a link to my blog
Reply to this
I wanted to thank you for this great blog, it helped me with great information so I really believe you will do much better in the future.
Reply to this
accutane histoire
buy accutane
accutane testimonies
Reply to this
Hi, I found your post really helpful. It helped me all the way in completing my assignment, I am also giving a referance link of your blog in my case study. Thanks for posting such informative content. Keep posting.
Reply to this
This is my first visit here. I found some really interesting stuff in your blog especially this discussion. Keep up the good work.
Reply to this
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
Reply to this
Hi, Thanks for sharing such a wonderful piece of information. I must say that while reading your post I found my thoughts in agreement with the topic that you have discussed, which happens very rare.
Reply to this
Hi, I appreciate your speculating as it attracts people’s attention and make this topic discussable.
Reply to this