Coming from a relatively quiet and traditional rural community in Minnesota to the varietyand hubbub of the greater Atlanta metroplex provides a whole new view of life. Though The Preserve at Legacy Park is fairly secluded, in an area the size of Hutchinson, I can sample cuisine from around the world, from the Caribbean to the Orient to India, Africa, Europe and Central and South America. Not only that, most recognizable American stores are within 10 to 15 minutes. Churches from around the world dot many corners or are tucked just off the main thoroughfares.
Saturday meant laundry in my intact laundry room. Having the laundry area close by and on the same floor creates a better incentive to actually do it. However, the incentive to fold the laundry didn't really improve. Likewise, having a dishwasher is veritable wonder, but it does not unload itself.
The family was gone to North Carolina to celebrate Bill's dad's birthday and Father's Day, so I enjoyed the blessing of family by going over to let Ginger, the Blakely family dog, out for a potty break. Kenneled, she barked when I unlocked the front door, but when I opened her door she came out and showed her submission by rolling over and letting me scratch her tummy. That acquiescence was a snare and a delusion. She trotted outside and returned to the door quickly while I swept up the Styrofoam tray shreds provided by one of the kitties. Upon coming back into the house, Ginger curled up on the sofa so I thought I would just read for a while.
With a chapter finished, the time seemed right to move on, so I called Ginger, who came obediently and stood by the door to go out. That appeared to be a reasonable request, though I wondered if she would play hide-and-seek in the back yard. To my delight she did her business and came back to the door. However, when I told her to "Kennel" or "Go to bed", she bolted. We played chase around the circle, and then she disappeared. One more round of the downstairs convinced me that she had somehow silently bounded up the stairs, so I trudged up checking all the rooms, with no obvious signs of the dog. Inspiration led me a second time to William's room where access to the bed was quite easy. Bending over, I spied Ginger tucked way under the bed, and she was not interested in joining me. With no saber to rattle, a plastic hanger appeared to be a good choice, and it worked, though Ginger sat looking at me with disdain. Escape plans clearly filled her mind. The situation called for bold action, so shutting the door as she tried to bolt past me, I grabbed her and carried her to the kennel. Hopefully, she will have forgiven me by the time I arrive today.
The next circuit for the day was at the nearby International Farmer's Market, which was like a trip around the world. My little Minnesota version of fresh produce, though greatly expanded since my youth, was nothing compared to the rows and rows of strange looking fruits, vegetables and herbs from around the world. Mangoes are not all the same, but different colors depending on the variety. Large strangely spike- studded fruits gave no clue as to what flavors would be yielded. Aloe leaves lay dried and ready for purchase. Peppers of many shapes, sizes, colors, heat and names in many languages created a colorful display. The seafood section alone was bigger than any entire meat section in my previous experience. People of many skin tones and nationalities had their choice of fish or mollusk representing their culture, some frozen or filleted, but others swimming in a tank. A tour of the shelves provided cans and packages with names from multiple languages. Truly, the humor came with the intermixing of Jeno's and Chef Boyardee with all the other delicacies. My purchases were sadly traditional to my culinary tastes, but the invitation to explore new flavors may someday stretch my purchasing.
However good the prices at the Farmer's Market are, I did learn that I will go elsewhere for my meat. Since I thoroughly enjoy a good steak, I've gotten in the habit of buying a nice big flavorful steak (the good stuff) and cutting into appropriate portions for several weeks. The steak purchased for last night had to be one of the toughest pieces of meat I've ever had - well except for my mom's pork chops. (Bless her heart)
Imagine my mom's and dad's worlds and contrast it to my new cosmopolitan, variegated world, and the nature of this adventure continues to unfold. Oh, the joy of seeing the nearly infinite variety the Lord has created in people and in the foods for them to eat.
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