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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Why picnic?


Sometimes, I think I picnic to stay sane.

One might think that plates of pretty food are an indication of a sunny outlook. I say, look deeper.

I say, the peeling and the chopping and the dressing and the arranging and the packing and the carrying and the sitting in a place where the air moves in a way that it never can indoors, are a last resort, the culinary equivalent of a rooftop-howling wolf inconsolable in its grief at the state of things. I picnic to let it all out. To say if we have nothing else, we have this. Goddamnit.

Just a thought.

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14 comments:

  1. dinahmowJuly 31, 2013 at 6:35 PM

    Interesting...a return to primal times, when food was,literally,more important?

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  2. Diane GJuly 31, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    It will be okay. Wherever you alight, you will make a beautiful home. It will likely be different - could be even better! But it will be lovely and welcoming, I have no doubt.

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    Replies
    1. MarieJuly 31, 2013 at 10:12 PM

      Thank you, Diane - It's been a rough few days, what with one thing and another.

      Delete
  3. Susan EJuly 31, 2013 at 8:39 PM

    Not exactly a picnic but today I made red pepper chutney to stay sane after moving yesterday. Still don't have the fish it is to accompany but all that chopping and sauteeing and stirring was very sane.

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  4. KathJuly 31, 2013 at 9:24 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. KathJuly 31, 2013 at 9:27 PM

    I have been thinking of you, Vince and Estrobo quite a bit lately. Y'all have all the ingredients for a life well lived. The place you do the living is just the setting. You will find the place you need to be.

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  6. dianefaithJuly 31, 2013 at 9:33 PM

    I wish you could move here. I have a sweet little Appalachian house (720 square feet) that badly needs someone in it this fall and winter.

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    Replies
    1. MarieJuly 31, 2013 at 10:10 PM

      Thank you, Diane. Just visited your blog and loved, as always, your writing. Is it your own sweet Appalachian that needs someone in fall and winter...? Will you not be in it?

      Delete
    2. dianefaithJuly 31, 2013 at 10:16 PM

      Thank you.
      Yes, my place. I'll be out of town for 3 months. Luckily, I have people here who can take good care of the house, but I'd be happier if someone actually lived there. Will be checking locally.

      Delete
  7. dianasfaria.comJuly 31, 2013 at 11:27 PM

    makes sense to me, especially the bit about the air moving.

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  8. RK_ctAugust 1, 2013 at 2:59 AM

    this man disagrees http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2013/jul/18/whats-point-picnics-jay-rayner?INTCMP=SRCH Killjoy.

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  9. FrankAugust 1, 2013 at 8:53 AM

    Life's not a picnic. But you are an alchemist.

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  10. JeanAugust 1, 2013 at 9:11 AM

    Pain and discomfort are the press that often forms our best work. I don't like it and I feel for you, but know you are creating some beautiful things! It is this or destruction.

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