Strawless in Dallas

11/3/09 The call came from the doctor’s office late yesterday afternoon---food allowed albeit with restrictions. Soft foods are best. Eat others with caution and care because remaining mouth stitches have not dissolved. Continue to swish and spit with antibacterial rinse but bottom teeth may be carefully brushed with my tiny “Elmo” toothbrush and “sensitive” gel. All of this was good news and Mary Flo prepared some luscious Yukon gold mashed potatoes, “Neiman Marcus style,” in celebration. Delish!

Today we have to go to pick up a prescription “redo” in Allen, TX where Buddy and Day live so we plan to take them to lunch. Larry and I have become consumed with all the available options! We have planned to treat loved ones to lunch---God is directing our steps. A great idea came---simply lunch, with a simple Memphis connection.

Recently, my friend Katherine and I went to the movie, “Julie and Julia.” There were some life lessons in that movie as a young Julie sought to cook her way through Julia Child’s, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, (524 recipes) in one year and to “blog” about her culinary adventure. Her first attempt, “Potage Parmentier,” had been described by Julia as “simplicity itself to make.” Simplicity! Isn’t that what we all crave? Don’t we all need to pare down---not just in cooking and eating, but in life? What is essential?

Sometimes less is better. Too many options can weigh us down. I can wear myself out trying to decide what is best. Simplicity of “straw dining” has had its benefits. Potato-leek soup from Short Stop in Snider Plaza was one—it must have been made the Julia Child way with heavy cream. It went easily through my straw, tasted yummy and filled my tummy. Nothing else was needed.

Paring down keeps life simpler and that can be a good thing. Sometimes there’s way too much on my plate. Today I desire only God’s requisite essentials for my life.

“He has told you, O man, what is good.: and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

Essentials. Simply put. All I need for today!