The weather was turning cooler.....the leaves were turning red...
Recipes of comfort foods were going through her head.
My Mom had turkey on her mind... so each and every night..
She'd sit with cookbooks open and read them with delight.
As years went by, her failing eyes would take away her pleasures...
Her cookbooks sat upon her shelf...no longer her best treasure.
Failing eyes took many things, but not her love of food...
She only cooked a meal for Dad...and not her family brood.
She said one day, "I really think a turkey's more than I can do."
He saw her sad and wondered how he'd keep her from feeling blue..
A plan he had that morning... he bought a turkey fine..
They'd fix it together ...and that evening they would dine.
He ran and got the cookbook...the pages were so worn...
The page about the turkey was just a little torn.
He put an fancy apron on and one on Mother too...
That day he became her eyes...he loved her so.. that's true.
What went on in that kitchen ...I can only take a guess..
The food was on the table and I was their only guest.
That turkey was the last one.. that she cooked for us that day..
The smile on Dad's face is a memory I will replay
So, when weather turns cooler and I want to fix a hen..
I always think of Dad and Mom fixing turkey way back then.
When I heard that it was going to be cooler, like my Mom, my first thought was fixing a turkey. I got a turkey out of the freezer (21 lbs :) and fixed it yesterday. I thought that we had a smaller one in there, but this was the only one. As Joe and I started fixing it...I thought, "What a big meal for two people!" We called his son and daughter-in-law and grandson Brandon, who live in our neighborhood and invited them to come and eat at 1 o'clock. I cooked the turkey in a Reynold's Cooking Bag. It was delicious...so moist. We had a wonderful meal and sent turkey home with them and we have some for our freezer.
I thought of Mom all day yesterday.A turkey always brings back memories of her in her beloved kitchen. As I grow older...I guess I'm getting more like her. I share her love of cookbooks and cooking and grocery shopping. I love feeding people.. just as she did. She got a little nervous in her later years while preparing a big meal, but I took over by then and she only had to bring a dish to pass. That would send her to her cookbooks to make something new. That sparkle in her eyes and the one in my Dad's eyes are something that I miss most.I remember a few years ago, when Mom was gone... making a dessert with the flavor of butterscotch. I told my Dad that I had made it just for him, as I knew this was a favorite of his. He said, " I'll tell you a secret...I never really liked it, but your Mother got it in her head that I did...I never told her...I didn't want to hurt her feelings."
Balisha
11 comments:
Balisha, I have been thinking of finding the smallest chicken I can and make chicken and dressing. Have so much fresh sage.
What a delightful post! It reminded me of my step-father-in law. My widowed mother-in-law married again late in life. Her new husband was blind, and they are both deceased now. I remember the kindness of their angel of a next door neighbor who was a little older. While we were there once she called and said she had a caramel pie for Sterling and would bring it over. She knew he loved caramel meringue pie. It was a beauty. I recall thinking: She went to a lot of trouble to make something that was not chocolate. :)
go grandma!!! YUM
Wonderful memories Balisha. My mother was a great cook and I do remember her saying she just couldn't do it anymore! I wondered what she meant, but I am beginning to know how she felt.
Eileen
Hi Ernestine,
We get small 3 1/2 lb chickens and fix those often...or how about a cornish hen?
Balisha
Hi Barbee...so glad I could bring back a memory of yours too.
Balisha
Now anonymous might be one of my kids...Thanks for commenting. Grandma was the best.
Balisha
Hi Eileen,
I'm getting to that age too. It isn't so much work if everyone helps.I think our Mom's were such good cooks, because they mostly cooked from scratch.
Balisha
Oh, Balisha, I have tears in my eyes reading your poem and tender remembrance of your parents! So beautiful. I love how you make poetry out of the simple joys in life. How lucky you are to have parents who loved each other so much.
What a lovely story.
But I am most impressed with your dad's forbearance. He never let on; isn't that beautiful? The things we do for love.
Well Balisha I had found your blog through Claudia's party and am now making my way through it in between fixing a breakfast casserole and getting some laundry in etc. I have it bookmarked to come back to another day ( and many days depending on how long you have been blogging )
I feel as if I found a very good book at the library or store...your essays / posts are wonderful and this one brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful tribute and poem to your mother and parents
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