Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – December 17, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – December 17, 2004

Cooking With Dorothy

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – December 17, 2004 – I had a bet with Dorothy a couple of weeks ago. The wager was on the name of the Richard Gere – Diane Lane film about a marriage on the rocks. Dorothy was convinced that the movie was called Infidelity. I knew that was close – but no cigar.

I looked it up on the Internet and the film was called “Unfaithful”. Dorothy doesn’t often loose bets, but this time she did and today was pay back. The reward was breakfast. We were going to the St. Lawrence Market today for the ingredients of my dinner tomorrow night , so we stopped at the Golden Griddle on Front Street and I collected my winnings – scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and coffee. An hour later, sufficiently fortified against the cold, we dashed across the street to the market.

As we walked down the wide aisles, the scent of fresh coffee and food was deliciously pervasive. We stocked up of beef, bacon, salmon, cheese, fresh herbs, chocolates, peanuts, tomato paste and a legion of other goodies. We then crossed the street so I could buy a decorated Christmas bough for my front door and a two foot high white birch reindeer to stand beside my fireplace. I’ve long admired these wooden reindeer when I see them on verandah’s and decks, and this year I decided it was high time that I supported the local St Lawrence merchant who sells them. I’ve called him “The New Augie”, because try as I might not to – I had to give him a name.

We then drove down to Pier One in The Beaches so Dorothy could pick up a final gift of wine glasses for Eric, and then it was back to my place to cook. I’ve never made Beef Bourguignonne before. Dorothy who cooks like a goddess, sat at the kitchen table with a brandy in one hand and a cook book in the other and read out the recipe, while I attempted to do most of the work.

I wanted to feel that it was my dinner and the cooking lesson was just a wonderful bonus. Dorothy helped out whenever I floundered, and by two o’clock my kitchen was filled with the delectable aromas of wine, garlic, onions and simmering beef. It was such a fun afternoon and it made me think about the wonderful ritual embodied in food preparation, followed by the bountiful reward of a table laden with wonderful food and wine and surrounded by people I love.

My dinner is tomorrow night. People I really care about will start to arrive about seven o’clock . The stragglers will round out the even dozen by the half hour. Beautiful music will grace my home and candles will be twinkling on every available surface. The table will be set for twelve with my famous gold chargers, topped with red glass dinner plates. Red wine glasses will toast the thirteenth year of this zany evening. It astonishes me that so much joy comes from the simple undertaking of coming together to share a meal.

I guess it has been ever thus with human beings, although the task of securing food has been and still is far more arduous for many people around the world, than it is in our land of plenty. However, preparing food, being together, talking, laughing, crying, eating, celebrating victories, discussing disappointments, sharing good news, welcoming new friends, saying good-bye as people’s lives change and they leave to become long-distance friends, solving problems, offering assistance and talking about the challenges and the beauty of life, remain universal, regardless of where we live.

People the world over will always be getting together, making a meal – elaborate or humble, and sitting together to savour the food and share their stories.

Once again, as Christmas draws nearer, I am touched by my sublime good fortune, and thankful that my path has brought me to my current place in life. Today was a lovely reminder of the joy that can come from simple tasks, shared with a friend, entered into with enthusiasm, appreciation and a glad heart.

If I’ve learned nothing else from this year – soon past – and I like to think that I have, then I hope it will be a genuine appreciation for all the good things that grace my life.