SOL: Culinary Love

The past four days, I have cooked dinner for several extra persons. Chicken, pasta, salad, forks, plates, glasses.

My culinary arts lack creativity, but my family does not go hungry.

I do not enjoy reading cookbooks, trying new recipes. I prefer the familiar, the tested, tried and true dishes. This choice is not due to my taste buds. Nope, it’s due to efficiency. I am quicker with tradition.

You see, my friends, cooking is not a favorite activity. I wish for a cook more than a maid.

The past four days, I have cooked and cooked and cooked some more … and loved every minute.

Why you may ask?

Story.

My son is home from college.

My Iowan niece and nephew have moved here.

My mother wished for a home cooked meal.

Story.

Laughter and sharing and more laughter has filled our rooms. The kitchen is the central meeting place.

And I listen.

My daughter shares, giggles, reciprocates the humor of her cousin. My sons banter with their father and voice levels range. My nephew wrestles and joins in. Snippets of stories are shared. Slices of hope, support, of family ring in the air and my heart is satisfied.

The past four days, I have cooked and listened and savored. My culinary love calls for their stories and we are nourished.

SOLC: 11:51 p.m.

Last Tuesday, my computer was waiting for my thoughts. I had a kindergarten story to share (Mrs. G, what do you do with a book that is overdoomed to the library?). Yes, I had a cute slice mingling in my mind.

11:51 p.m. was the time I saw heading up to bed on Tuesday. My laptop was still waiting on the table. “Not tonight,” is all I said.

You see, as I was sitting down to write, our college son meandered through the front door. No call. No text. Just a surprise. He began to share what had been transpiring the past two weeks. Decisions had to be made about housing for next year, class discussions shared, and yes, baseball highlights were explained play by play. I felt the urge to go write, but savored the moments with our son instead. (I was secretly writing the conversation down in my heart.)

I have learned this year that when the unexpected “Hello” arises from Wes, I need to stop and listen. The household tasks waited. My schoolwork stayed in the bag. My heart soared.

It’s Tuesday again, and at this moment, our college son is working on a paper at our table. Earlier, his brother and sister were doing their homework around him. That’s not the normal, but they wanted to be close. Laughter rippled between pencil marks and typed sentences. His dad is listening now, reflecting, and sharing ideas. He’s been here since before I came home from school and will probably leave after I go to sleep. I’m just happy to have him here again. My little kindergarten comments are tucked away and will be shared at a later date. For now, I’m one happy mom.

SOLC: Transformation

Our college son spent time with us this evening. We were finalizing scholarship applications and although we did a little “work”, it was still nice having him home. Wes attends Grace College, which is about a 12 minute drive from home. He’s learned a lot taking care of his own room, managing his time, and living the dorm life.

As we were talking, he mentioned his two roommates were gone for the weekend. Only a few guys were on the floor for the weekend due to an extended Easter break. Friends had come over and played a evening of XBox 360. “Yeah, there is 3 pizza boxes and trash on the floor that I didn’t even order. Eddie is not going to be happy,” Wes stated. His one roommate is super organized and clean (even organizes his sock drawer by colors). The other roommate could care less and leaves items everywhere. Wes, he’s in between, usually leaving clothes on the floor in his area and his desk isn’t as organized for my liking, so he tells me.

Being on spring break, I offered, “I could come help you clean up your room for an hour tonight if you’d like.”

With a smile and a nod, Wes agreed quickly. “Are you sure?” he asked hesitantly. I returned the smile and nod.

Let’s just say, the room that I had not seen since he moved in had a transformation come over it. My swifter picked up more dust and found several missing dirty socks. Clothes were tossed in a laundry basket and trash was removed. After vacuuming, Wes took some pictures and sent it to Eddie. I can just imagine a surprised look coming over his face.

Me – I’ve transformed over this year too. It’s been hard having my son leave, make decisions on his own, and not but in. I’m still here and maybe I won’t offer to clean his room again, but I did appreciate him allowing me to help this time.

 

SOLC: A Fuddy-Duddy

My parents are still getting use to a cell phone. We gave them a prepaid one for Christmas a year ago.

“Oh, I really don’t need one,” Mom said.

“It’s just in case or if you are out shopping and have a question,” I replied.

Our oldest showed her how to use it and put the needed numbers in.

“I hope I can remember how to do this,” she said, shaking her head. I just smiled. Change. Technology. Two things my parents do not adjust well to. She’s the best seamstress and quilter I know. Her homemade cooking is the best. Dad knows how to fix things and manage his time. But the computer and cell phone – that’s another story.

“I need Wes to look at our cell phone. It is working anymore. The battery dies all the time, even when I am dialing the number,” my mom stated panicky.

Wes listened carefully as Grandma and Grandpa shared their dilemma. Looking at the phone, he noted the battery was fully charged.

“Yeah. But you just watch. It will die on you!” At that moment the screen went black. My mom pointed, her pitch peeked slightly, “See! I told you. It just died.” My dad nodded his head in totally agreement. “Happens all the time,” he added. “This is frustrating.”

Wes smiled. Elizabeth cupped her hand over her mouth. I stifled a full-face grin.

“Ah, Grandma, you’re phone isn’t dead. The screen just goes black to save the battery. See. You just press a button and it’s back on.”

My parents just stared at the screen, shaking their heads. “Technology! It’s so frustrating!”

Looking up, Wesley’s smile was composed, but my laughter couldn’t be contained. Mom looked at me, thanked Wesley for his help, and then laughed. “You must think I’m an old fuddy-duddy.”

(We don’t but this story is precious. As I was typing, Elizabeth asked why I was chuckling. “I’m writing about when grandma thought the phone was dead.” She laughed. “Yeah, I tell my friends about that and the can’t believe it. I just say, ‘True story.’”)

SOLC: Saturday

March Saturdays have been filled with wrestling matches, teen-event driver, family visitors.

Today… I leisurely read slices.

Poems and seesaw texts delighted my thoughts.

Today… my cat snuggled asleep on my lap, twice.

His contentment mirrored mine.

Today… my son vacuumed.

Laundry was folded and finished.

Today… sunshine streamed in.

Spring said ‘Hello’.

Today… my daughter went shopping with me.

Her new shoes made her twirl with happiness.

Today… I listened and shared and listened.

Our time was delightful.

Today… I had extra time.

My heart is contented.

SOLC: Chats

Our college son stopped in tonight. Sitting on the couch, his siblings gathered round. My husband came in to the conversation. Questions led to jokes that led to stories. Words were spun together into fun laughter. The TV was turned off; the game was not as important as time with Wes. Some references were made to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I thought about how electronics keep us connected but does not replace the heart of family connection- conversation.

Two years ago, our family visited Washington D.C. We enjoyed a time of enrichment at each memorial. We definitely had some fun too. Here we are around the Roosevelt era of the Fireside Chats. I wonder what our family would have said, what conversations would have followed, what encouragement from the verbal word. I imagine it would have been much like tonight, gathered together to share and warm our hearts.

Electronics are important. I love getting a text from one of my kids with a kind word or update. An email from a friend warms my heart. But, sitting around having a chat with friends and family, now that is life!

SOLC: Where Have I Been?

I love the Slice of Life Challenge. It’s a time of renewal. My senses are alerted to comments, funny kid antics, surroundings. My notebook with pen is nearby to captures the slices that can quickly slip away. Reading postings rejuvenate me, connecting to a community of writers.

Friday night I posted, just not linked to TWT. I was a teen driver, I mean a driver of teenagers going to an all-night function in Indianapolis. My niece stayed with me in the hotel of which I posted. The hotel WiFi didn’t cooperate, so I didn’t get it connected.

Then last night I was silent. Not on purpose, really.

My husband’s brother, wife, family from Iowa came to visit Wednesday. They are relocating here as Brother has a new job starting April 1 (no joke). The family will be finishing school, selling the house, and packing. Their visit entailed touring prospective homes, discussing hopes, making plans – all with our loving support.

Last night, I gathered slices, laughter, dreams, plans, comments, concerns, silences.

Last night, I listened, reflected, participated in their conversation (and then to sleep).

Last night, I chose to allow SOLC to take second priority of my time.

Last night, I was family.

Today, I play with words and sentence structure.

Today, I remember, I read, I post.

Today, I am family … in a Slice of Life writing community.

SOLC: Happiness is …

Happiness is …
Spending time with my niece

Eleven year old fifth grader
Laughter, goofy, playful
Just her and I

Night at a hotel
Pool swim too
Splash, squeal, giggles
Just her and I

Her own bed
Watching Hugo
Smiles, stories, bonding
Just her and I

Soon to move
Close to me
Looking forward to
Shopping, sharing, loving
Just me and you

SOLC: Spiderman Zapped

Most mornings, I chauffeur my two youngest and a friend to the middle school. Although this choice requires extra time and gas, the time together is worth the sacrifice. Many mornings, my daughter is talking to her friend. Tim usually is quiet. I’m the one to initiate conversation. We usually review the daily activities and when practice will be ending. Nothing spectacular. Just time together and time away from the negativity of the bus. I know they appreciate it.

One time last year, my son Tim did something that surprised me and warmed my heart at the same time. After shutting the door and heading his way to the school entrance, he turned and flashed me the “I love you” sign-language signal. Three fingers pointed to my heart. I’m surprised that at fourteen, Tim continues this loving ritual each day. It’s not like his attitude is different; it’s just so un-teenage-like. I love it EVERY time.

This morning, we drove to the high school at 6:45 a.m., ready for the all-day wrestling tournament. Seeing the assistant coach, age 21, and another wrestler, arrive, Tim ventured out and met up with them. I began to leave and shot a final glance in his direction. Tim was turned and zapped me with the “I love you” sign like Spiderman before he continued with his brood. My smile spread wide as I drove on. He still does it, I thought, even in front of the other guys. He may not say a lot verbally, but I’ll take a Spiderman Zap anytime.<3 It’s moments like these that a mother holds tight.

SOLC: Today I Touched the Sky

This morning on my drive to work, a natural beauty surrounded me. I was in awe.

As a little girl, my eyes would look skyward and wondered what heaven was like. My sister was there and I often would daydream playing with her in the clouds. Wouldn’t it be fun to jump from one fluffy, white cloud to the next? My smile spreads, knowing our experience would totally be fun. I’m not sure what heaven will look like, but nature’s beauty gives me a glimpse of God’ handiwork.

This morning, the heavens came down and I was able to touch the sky. The wispy fog brushed across the fields, over the road, and into my memory. Grabbing my camera, I snapped a picture to hold on to the moment. Personally, I like to think my sister was waving from the clouds, bringing me a smile once again.