I have been given many things over the last 25 years that I knew, for a fact, I would never have in my life. Even then I may end up wanting more. Hopefully that is many years in the future. One thing I would like more of is good biscuits and gravy. A lot of places I have had it, it was bland, why bother?
Beautiful. It's true that we say goodbye to so many people and things. But there's also often new ones arriving. In the end, for many, it's often better to say good bye than to never have known.
I did not know the word 'wany', so I also learned a new word today. Thank you.
I see now that this fits better in the cadens of the poem. But still. I did like the wany version in some way. My non-native-english-speaker point of view made it actually quite good.
Yep, the problem of existence, well-said. Sherman, I'm trying to lock in October 13 for you for https://innerlifecollaboartive.substack.com -- I'll send another email to see if you'll grace us there! xo Mary P.S.: Sherman, the email will come from mltabor@me.com; please check your spam. xo Mary
I have a cowboy friend here in Idaho who fell in love with a girl who lives on a cattle station in Oz. When she visited him here, he introduced her to biscuits and gravy. She was shocked anyone would drown biscuits (what she calls cookies) with gravy (her version is meat drippings), but she decided she liked it when she tried it.
Next time he visited her cattle station in Oz, she goaded him into making biscuits and gravy for the crew one morning. They were underwhelmed. A few tried it, but no one took seconds. Sometimes you just can't help people.
Later, they butchered an old camel for a barbie, and my friend decided to help by cutting out the briskets, but stopped when he feared he might accidentally cut into the animal's water tank.
Back home again, as we discussed these things, I told him that Amazon sells camel hump fat and ordered a jar for the owner of the restaurant. So far, I know of only one person who requested anything made with it. My 92 year old Old Guy asked the cook to make him an omelette using camel hump fat, but then he always chooses to live on the edge.
Culture is hard, but every opportunity to break out of our shell is a gift, and every gift has an expiry date, so enjoy your biscuits and gravy like there is no tomorrow.
I tell people I'm an apolitical, non-proselytizing vegan when someone tries to get me to eat weird stuff. It seems to work, mostly. I'm with you on the not wanting to try camel hump fat. It's too much like culinary bungee jumping.
Vets for beloved pets move on, groomers move on, house fire definitely gobbles up alot, pandemic shattered social circles, yet, honor the past and forge forward.
Reminds me of an interview I saw with William F Buckley towards the end of his illustrious life. He in essence said he'd had it and was ready to check out.
For me this conjures up a tiny hole in the wall Mexican restaurant with the best tacos el pastor, ever, and the owner, who’d waited the tables. We were regulars, and when he’d serve dinner, he look at me, and say “pardon me, but I must sing to your lovely wife”... and then launch into some romantic ballad in Spanish. I never thought it wouldn’t be there ‘till it wasn’t. But it was the spirit of it, charming, such warmth and humor and joy... so many layers of goodness. I hope you all can have that for dinner, tonight! Something worth savoring... and a sweet Sopapilla for desert!
Thanks for the poem Sherman. So true about the closing of local estabishments...all over. My local breakfast place closed for good during covid. It's like it was a dream that it was even there. Full of characters (now ghosts) I never really knew but so sorely miss. If I close my eyes I can smell the bacon and coffee.
Wow, excellent. I'm still mourning all the stores in lower Queen Anne that disappeared during the Great Recession.
As am I for so many places in Seattle.
I have been given many things over the last 25 years that I knew, for a fact, I would never have in my life. Even then I may end up wanting more. Hopefully that is many years in the future. One thing I would like more of is good biscuits and gravy. A lot of places I have had it, it was bland, why bother?
Good biscuits and gravy is a gift!
Amen
Beautiful. It's true that we say goodbye to so many people and things. But there's also often new ones arriving. In the end, for many, it's often better to say good bye than to never have known.
I did not know the word 'wany', so I also learned a new word today. Thank you.
Thank you, Arjan. "Wany" is a typo I fixed!
OH!
I see now that this fits better in the cadens of the poem. But still. I did like the wany version in some way. My non-native-english-speaker point of view made it actually quite good.
Did not mean to be unkind in any way.
Yep, the problem of existence, well-said. Sherman, I'm trying to lock in October 13 for you for https://innerlifecollaboartive.substack.com -- I'll send another email to see if you'll grace us there! xo Mary P.S.: Sherman, the email will come from mltabor@me.com; please check your spam. xo Mary
Yes! And so we probably will. And yet, there will be more. Just of what we cannot comprehend. I have always loved biscuits and gravy too.
Thank you.
I have a cowboy friend here in Idaho who fell in love with a girl who lives on a cattle station in Oz. When she visited him here, he introduced her to biscuits and gravy. She was shocked anyone would drown biscuits (what she calls cookies) with gravy (her version is meat drippings), but she decided she liked it when she tried it.
Next time he visited her cattle station in Oz, she goaded him into making biscuits and gravy for the crew one morning. They were underwhelmed. A few tried it, but no one took seconds. Sometimes you just can't help people.
Later, they butchered an old camel for a barbie, and my friend decided to help by cutting out the briskets, but stopped when he feared he might accidentally cut into the animal's water tank.
Back home again, as we discussed these things, I told him that Amazon sells camel hump fat and ordered a jar for the owner of the restaurant. So far, I know of only one person who requested anything made with it. My 92 year old Old Guy asked the cook to make him an omelette using camel hump fat, but then he always chooses to live on the edge.
Culture is hard, but every opportunity to break out of our shell is a gift, and every gift has an expiry date, so enjoy your biscuits and gravy like there is no tomorrow.
I've never heard of camel humo fat. I don't know if I'd be brave enough to try it!
It's on sale at Amazon. 2 jars for $14.99. That would be enough to find out if you like it!
https://www.amazon.com/Desert-Farms-Camel-Fat-14/dp/B07MDZS3JB/ref=sr_1_1?crid=S0NLX69Q97LE&keywords=camel+hump+fat&qid=1691334180&sprefix=CAmel+hump%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1
I can’t do it!
I tell people I'm an apolitical, non-proselytizing vegan when someone tries to get me to eat weird stuff. It seems to work, mostly. I'm with you on the not wanting to try camel hump fat. It's too much like culinary bungee jumping.
I heard line 15 as “in awe of our lives,” and I gasped. Another of your poems that grabs my appetite to say “Amen!”
Am I awe of our lives? Mostly!
Now I’m craving biscuits and gravy
I've been thinking about them, too.
Many folks and things pass away
And we can let them go
But for some parts of life
I will fight toe to toe
Call me stubborn
Call me crazy
But I'll fight til my last breath
For my biscuits and gravy
And after I too pass
To the land of the dead
Come visit me there
And i'll make you frybread
Those who have gone before us, Cannot ease the pain of those who remain. Michael Arenas
Yes, Mike
Vets for beloved pets move on, groomers move on, house fire definitely gobbles up alot, pandemic shattered social circles, yet, honor the past and forge forward.
Yes.
Reminds me of an interview I saw with William F Buckley towards the end of his illustrious life. He in essence said he'd had it and was ready to check out.
I want at least 30 more years!
Life is just one long walk to loss, one after another. Lovely poem...
Yes.
I seem to deeply mourn every loss imaginable, people, places, animals, my Italian grandmother's food...
As do I.
For me this conjures up a tiny hole in the wall Mexican restaurant with the best tacos el pastor, ever, and the owner, who’d waited the tables. We were regulars, and when he’d serve dinner, he look at me, and say “pardon me, but I must sing to your lovely wife”... and then launch into some romantic ballad in Spanish. I never thought it wouldn’t be there ‘till it wasn’t. But it was the spirit of it, charming, such warmth and humor and joy... so many layers of goodness. I hope you all can have that for dinner, tonight! Something worth savoring... and a sweet Sopapilla for desert!
A movie and popcorn tonight!
The many layers of warmth, humor, and joy go nicely with popcorn, too!
Thanks for the poem Sherman. So true about the closing of local estabishments...all over. My local breakfast place closed for good during covid. It's like it was a dream that it was even there. Full of characters (now ghosts) I never really knew but so sorely miss. If I close my eyes I can smell the bacon and coffee.
Yes, all the regulars we never see again.