BRAIN FOOD STARTS WITH GOOD HANDS

 

Ask around about cooking.

 

If you do cook, ask a new friend about it. “Do you cook, too?”

 

The answer will tell you more about the new friend than most any question.

 

It’s a simple question, but the answers come in complicated flavors instead of “yes” or “no.”

 

Do you cook brain food?

 

“When I have time, I cook. But I don’t have time.”

 

Sounds like the Harry Chapin song:

 

I’ve long since retired, my son’s moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said “Id like to see you if you don’t mind”
He said “Id love to Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.
But It’s sure nice talking to you, Dad,
It’s been sure nice talking to you…….. “
And as I hung up the phone it had occurred to me
He’d grown up just like me,
My boy was just like me…………..

 

Do you cook?

 

“Dude, this is Portland freaking Oregon, the food cart capital of the world. Do I cook? Why would I slop something together when I’ve got this food cart resource?”

 

How close is the nearest food cart?

 

“Close enough.”

 

Would you call it brain food, like it makes you smarter?

“What?”

 

Do you cook?

 

“Of course I cook. I warm up frozen food, reheat prepared food, then if anything’s left over I mix them together and warm that up.”

 

Where do you do your food shopping?

 

“Costco, where else? I could go there for lunch and not buy anything and just cruise the demonstration food where the prep people talk whether anyone listens or not.”

 

Do you get the chicken?

 

“Always. And I know the next question. Yes, I get the hotdog on the way out. It’s a buck and half. You know what that costs at a Blazer game?”

 

Do you eat in the store, or the car?

 

“In the store. Wife and I have it down. I guard the cart while she orders, then we each take a turn loading up the dogs.”

 

What is loading up the dog?

 

“Relish, sauerkraut, onions, the works.”

 

Any chili?

 

“Too messy, but I’d love a chili dog if they made one.”

 

What if you made one?

 

“Too busy to stop that long.”

 

When is the last time you saw your mom?

 

Mama told me when I was young
“Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it’ll help you some sunny day”

“Oh, take your time, don’t live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You’ll find a woman and you’ll find love
And don’t forget, son, there is someone up above”

“And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can”