The fireplace and a
cup of tea help keep these cold days cozy. I suppose I’ll cuddle up to my
daydreams and ponder this year's garden theme…The Garden of Memories.
My heart pounds for its rich earth and the bounty it will bear. The bees, butterflies and
lacewings call. I’ll be there soon, and one by one, I’ll sow the seeds of
recollection. I'll dwell on the past in my metaphor for memories and recall while I till the days of insolence and innocence. I’ll remember yesteryear, and long before I taste what I
reap, I'll harvest thoughts of times long ago. A flood of memories will water it as
a reunion of friends takes me back to my roots.
The little details have faded, but the gists play back in surreal time... Starfires and great escapes. Sports nights, Steam Heat and Wooden
Soldiers On Parade. A clock out the window and corsage-decked blazers. White lies, white suits and red wine
stains. Good dirt and great gossip. Who knew that moments like these and
so many more would mean everything to me?
Like the countless
memories of way back when, I welcome them back into my life… my friends from
then, my best friends forever. The line between the seasons might be blurred, but
one thing remains clear. They were always dear, but again, they're near, and I mark the occasion with a
recipe.
RECIPE 12:
Bernadette’s Olive
Sandwich
From a traditional
standpoint, the olive branch symbolizes a warm welcome, but with none readily
available, I’m bringing to the table something equally welcoming. Bernadette’s
Olive Sandwich. For sure this delicacy has a bit of teen dare and defiance to
it that will confuse your taste buds. Is it good or not? A favorite
midnight snack when sleepovers kept us up all night, the sandwich has an unexpected yuminess that leaves you wanting just one more (and I don’t even like
olives). Open wide for this one. Come with me to my treasured days.
Ingredients:
A coupla besties
A dash of dare
A dollop of defiance
2 slices of white bread
Halved Spanish olives stuffed with minced pimientos
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise
Salt (maybe not) & Pepper
Directions:
I can’t help but think back to the time we thought we were so cool. A license to drive meant a license
to do whatever we wanted (pray tell!! this is not cool anymore!). On one
particular day, it translated to sneaking off into a forbidden place… The City.
We had our sin planned to perfection. Our parents would never find out. We'd drive
to the train station. Park the car where it would never be spotted. Board the
westbound iron horse. And that’s it! Devil-may-care as we were, our deception
came to a screeching halt when a certain parent standing on the opposite
platform called out, “Girls! If you want to go to the City, you’d better come
to this side.” So we did what every rulebreaking, troublemaking teen would do.
We hauled ass from the wrong side of the tracks to the right side and rode in
with Bernadette’s dad. To this day, I laugh till I cry at that silly memory and
I take two pieces of bread. I channel the dare and stir in the defiance. I
spread the mayonnaise and line up the olives. I sprinkle the pepper (and salt,
if you’re so inclined), and chase every bite with a memory. It tastes best at
the stroke of midnight, but anytime will do.
For now, the flames in
the fireplace have dwindled and the cup of tea has a left a stain on the end
table. In my parting thoughts, I contemplate May’s full moon... my cue to plant
The Garden of Memories. Honestly! God only knows where the time went, but I know that I never again want to see it fly. And on that note, I think I’ll have an olive sandwich.
In memory and honor of
the parents who loved and love us no matter what.
