We were all very saddened by the news of her death; those of us amongst the children, grandchildren and mix of extended family and friends she left behind.

Aunt Ruby was a strong Arkansas woman. Her life was not easy but her life was good – rich with loving family and friends and good deeds done for many. She never tired of helping those less fortunate or in need of a kind word. Her smile warmed the room, filled you with joy and beckoned you to return, and you did.

She was the wife of my mother’s brother Richard whom we lost too many years ago, and she soldiered on for 35 years as a widow, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was the ‘Chicken Soup’ for the spirit, the soul and the well being of many, many people in her life. Ruby worked hard to keep hearth and home going for herself and the family members with whom she lived, cooked and cared for until her end.

Aunt Ruby, it’s Sunday, and if you were still here I know you would be cooking and baking and serving a grand meal with an open invitation to family and friends.

But that is not decorous behavior even though I imagine that is just what she is feeling.

So I will send a sympathy card, and maybe a donation to their favorite cause. But I really want to say: “it sucks that he died so young”; and so early into their retirement years. But I can only say it here. Life is what it is and we have no real control.

I am sorry for you, my friend, and I know life will go on for you and you will join the ranks of the strong and virtuous young widows. You will take up the sword and keep your life going well, for your children and friends. But know that it’s OK to take the time you need and have the moments you need to be ‘off’; to be silent, moody and remote.  We can’t know exactly what you’re feeling but we can relate because we all feel it in some way, or will feel it in our own lives – it is inevitable.

We love you R and want to help you ‘keep on truckin’ as was once said (yeah, you remember! I know). SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

So while I’m getting all the information I need and more for my article I start finding things that might help my friends and family so I send an email to my sister-in-law in Texas with information on growing garlic in the south. Then I send information to a garden club friend about killing aphids with a garlic spray and a note to another friend about garlic and improving her health. At about 2 pm my head is starting to hurt from all the knowledge I’m gaining and sharing so I take a break to play Solitaire; 2 hours later I still haven’t written my article and it’s time to take care of some other things on my to do list.

So here I am, it’s another day and I’m ready to write my article and it is now 5 hours since I sat down to do just that. Needless to say the article is written but I’m getting hungry so I think I’ll go roast some garlic!

Sadly the Colts lost and even more sadly the ads this year were not up to par. Nothing like the classic ‘…money coming out of the wazoo…’

Tonight Mikey cooked Wings-2-Ways. One set of wings was his usual spicy wings – taste supreme as always. The other called Savory Chicken Drummettes has a better name than outcome. Okay they were wonderful because everything Mikey makes is fabulous (are you reading this honey?) but the ‘Mikey’s Spicy’ were much better. Since we’re not using Julia Child’s cookbook, or any other cookbook for that matter I’ll put in recipe’s from time to time. Here’s the Savory Drummettes (as Mikey’s Spicys are a secret if you want it you will have to pay):

Ingredients:

8 cloves garlic crushed

2 T honey

2 T Dijon mustard

1 T tamari or 1 1/2 regular Soy

2 T lemon juice

1/4 c olive oil

2 t salt (use seasalt if you’re into that sort of expense…Kosher if you have that, we didn’t)

1 t freshly (this is important) ground pepper

20 Chicken Drummettes

If you want the rest of the directions see Simply Recipes.com because, well, it’s all there.

Serve the wings with celery and blue cheese dressing and a dab of hot sauce if you dare.  Don’t drink too much before dinner or you won’t have any leftovers. You also won’t enjoy the savory taste of the wings. You will enjoy the original spicy though no matter how much you’ve imbibed.

Bon’jour and Bon Appétit

© Peg Frees; When Food Goes Wild

Other patrons saw the woman and made eye contact with me as they walked by as if to say, someone should do something here don’t you think? Then went out the door.

I wanted to get more of the free coffee offered in the lobby but the poor woman had stopped there herself to fill a cup and took her time by adding amendments to the brew so she was – in the way.  And still crying her heart out.  I would have had to approach her and maybe say something comforting or, what? What? What was the right thing to do? I felt for her; felt so bad for her but would I be meddling? Did she want attention or seclusion? I was conflicted.

So I waited for Mike and we both left the bank and said did you see that woman? What do you think? Should we do something?