What Eating Really Means
It’s still Wednesday night. I stare at the canned tuna and the Mayo bottle while the Het-Bahn rice cooks in the microwave. In a house of maggots and moths, I rarely find issue. All my food is preserved, tin-packed and I eat them Monday through Friday, the trash filling with cracked lids. It never occurred to me that this is why I vehemently insist on having “my choice” on the weekends.
Last Saturday, I looked for Fettuccine Alfredo, not the good kind. I wanted the bland, over-sauced one from Chili’s. It had to be just that–not Olive Garden, not Maggiano’s because I’d thought about it so carefully between Ramen packets and Poptarts. I imagined sitting-in like a customer on the red stool and polished bar. It meant I got to eat something because I’d earned it. Just a taste of a little more than what I have now meant I could see above this can-opener. Maybe if I keep that in sight, I’ll reach the weekdays I could have everything.
i like the way u think. sacrificing luxuries to make the self more humble; taking things away to make them more special. thats sorta why i live in a garage so on the weekends, i can splurge on sleeping in a nicer place. your canned food is like my canned living arrangements.
tags: cold, solitude, can, metal, hunger, affliction
I admire your lifestyle. It must be a difficult sacrifice–going after your craft in exchange for the comfort of living quarters (but maybe this is why you’re able to produce great art so quickly). Good luck on your coming projects!
Angela
Good headline photo for your new blogsite.
Seriously, as one grows older, oddly, friends and relations unexpectedly drop away–someday even dad and mom leave their bodies. Only memories and dream vignettes remain.
New friends and sometimes for the fortunate, a wife or husband shares the journey for a while.
Growing up and growing out–life has always been this way.
Best wishes for YOUR changes and write ‘em up so we can continue to enjoy them.
Thank you for the comment, Thomas. I know many people can take away from it. I’m looking forward to sharing more of my stories (and reading yours). You must be busy, but I appreciate you stopping by.
Have a great week,
Angela
You are very busy too, Angela. Thanks for your time and perceptive comments.
There is a anthropologist/science writer (almost contemporary–now gone on) who has, I think, an excellent writing style and something important to say. Loren Eiseley.
He is not everybody’s cup of tea, but you might like to read some of his essays. His autobiography, “All the Strange Hours” is, I think, very good writing. TW
Hey Thomas!
Loren Eiseley…I’ll definitely look into this. Anthropologist/scientist/writer sounds intriguing already with all that information. Thank you for the reference. I’ll share “All the Strange Hours” with a few of my friends as well and let you know what I think.
Keep the references coming, it’s always great for writers to share books. Currently I’m reading Ron Carlson’s “Five Skies” and William Maxwell’s “So Long See You Tomorrow.” One recommended by a professor of mine and the other by a colleague. Both incredible books with strong writing. Hope you take a peak!
Angela