It's Better to Jump the Abyss Than to Reupholster Your Rut

Two years ago, as I was preparing for a new and courageous experience ….by myself……in northern California…..I called a friend and expressed some anxiety to her about what I was doing. She said “Julane, It’s better to jump the abyss than to reupholster your rut”. “You’re right” I said, “I love it” and continued on down the road to an important and valuable experience.

It was 1949……..I was 7 years old…. and in the summers our weekly treat was to go to town on Sunday afternoons to the swimming pool. First we had to go to church and then eat Sunday dinner and then Dad had to read the Sunday paper. We thought the time would never come when we would climb in our Chevy and drive the 7 miles to town. One unforgettable Sunday afternoon, I decided it was time to jump off the high diving board. Dad and Mom were sitting on the benches outside the pool , I climbed the ladder, walked to the end of the diving board and shook with fear. I looked at my Dad and heard him yell “Go on…..you can do it!”

Obviously, at that young age of 7 my ruts weren’t very deep….. and I’m sure I’ve reupholstered my rut many times since then. Most of the time though, I’m willing to take risks, try new things and be open to new adventures (while shaking in my boots).

What do you do to nudge yourself in to jumping the abyss rather than reupholstering your rut? (I have to admit that the rut feels really good and it's a treat to snuggle down in and stay there for a while!)

I'd love to have you share your thoughts and thanks, Robert, for sharing this old picture of a "good time place".

Weeds and Peach Seed Soup

My mother loved to tell a story about how I, as a child, would come bounding up the front porch every day after school wondering what I could bake or cook. It must have been in my blood because I remember at a very young age my sister, my neighbor Sonja and I had a restaurant. My dad built a rock fire place in our back yard and we would make soup from peach seeds, green leafy weeds and water. The neighbor kids were our guests.

Growing up sixty plus years ago in a small town in rural Iowa, population 150, makes homemade peach seed soup in the back yard perfectly acceptable. I can still taste those peaches and smell those spinach shaped weeds.

Fortunately, my taste and skills have evolved from weeds and peach seeds to cooking with rosemary, basil, dill, parsley, oregano, thyme, arugula and cilantro....all of which grow right outside my back door. I find it hard to describe the feelings I have when I'm sitting in the middle of my herb garden experiencing those wonderful scents.
Although I love sharing meals with friends any time of the year, I really love it now because of my garden fresh ingredients. I'm lifted to a different place as I experience the touch and scent of those herbs and tomatoes. A few evenings ago, I made a yummy salmon dish. After making a thin slash on top of the fillet, I stuffed it with a combination of Italian flat leaf parsley, toasted pine nuts, lemon zest and chopped ripe olives.......baked it in a hot oven......served it with a homemade lime hollandaise sauce....mmm......the joy of cooking.

I'd love to have you share your early memories of gardens and cooking. Do you have a garden now or are you interested in starting one? It's been good for my soul....maybe yours too? Add your comments below.