The Kitchen Is Closed!

I’ve been thinking a lot about my Mom lately. It isn’t a special anniversary or a birthday month. And it isn’t that Mom recently passed. She’s been gone since 1990. But my thoughts keep drifting back to her. The effort she put into our family. And how she prepared us to take care of ourselves.

I Don’t Want to Make the Salad!

My Mom worked a full-time job when I was growing up.  That made me a latch key kid.  And because Mom worked in Manhattan, she had an hour-long commute. That commute began with a ten-minute walk up a hill to reach the bus that took her to the subway. In New York City, that’s called a two-fare zone. For Mom, it meant thirty minutes on a bus and another thirty minutes on a subway to get to Manhattan.

Other Errands Too?

On occasion, I helped out. Nothing major. Setting the table. Defrosting a steak in the sink. Over time, it transitioned to making a salad. Throwing a load in a washing machine. Going to the grocery store. All the things little boys don’t want to do and don’t want to be seen doing. Mom needed help and since she was important, I obliged.

Some Skills Are Worth Knowing

Given time, I became a fairly domesticated kid. So when I went off to college, I knew how to take care of myself. And though I still hate to do the laundry, I can do it. Though in our house, Jeff’s the laundry guy. He’s better at stain removal. It seems we spill a lot. And he likes doing it. Trust me. Send your laundry here. You’ll make him very happy.

Not the Kitchen

As for cooking, I remain the go-to-guy. Do I like it? Nope. Can I do it? Sure. And, over the last few months, I’ve prepared a variety of dishes. I’ve even baked a cake or two. If anything, social distancing has enhanced my kitchen skills. I guess practice makes perfect. Without a restaurant to go to, I’m kind of stuck. Would I prefer to eat out? You bet. But until we can do that safely, I’m in that kitchen twice a day making lunch and dinner. For breakfast, you’re on your own. Except on Sunday. That’s when my Dad made pancakes. I try to keep that tradition alive.

Childhood Memories

How did my Mom prepare all those meals for all those years and not go insane? It defies the imagination. And so this whole lockdown experience gives me a new respect for mothers. Each night, as we clear the table and load the dishwasher, I hear my Mom’s voice cry out. Tired from a long day at the office, eager to relax, she’d tell the family, “The kitchen is closed!” I totally get that sentiment. Amen, Mom. Amen.

And Now For Something Extra

In honor of Pride Month, check out the ebooks being offered from June 15th through June 22nd as part of a Pride Freebie Promotion. If you haven’t read The Intersect, this is your chance to download a copy. Just click on this hyperlink.

In addition, I’m participating in a Satirical Humor Promotion from June 17th through June 30th with What’s That Growing in My Sour Cream? Check out the promotion by clicking on this hyperlink. 

Stay safe and healthy!