Big as All Outdoors
Though she’s partial to the taste
Of homely things, she would not shun
A lobster tail or truffle, waste
Fine wine, or insult anyone
Who’s made the effort to provide
Her with the best the fecund earth
Produces, so she opens wide,
And so maintains her striking girth
My paternal grandfather was a fabulous person, a super-grandpa. He was also a well-rounded man. He used to tell us kids he had a ‘watermelon’ stashed under his belt, and we had little reason to doubt it. Clearly a man so full of joie de vivre could have no worse burden than being shaped like the centerpiece of a summer picnic. Unfortunately in combination with an imperfectly functioning ticker this particular element of his physique probably led down a fairly direct path to his early death. But honestly, I can’t say it’s likely he’d’ve traded for more years of life if it meant giving up any serious amount of the good food he adored. He didn’t seem too distressed when laughingly relating his trip to a clothier where he’d been rather imperiously informed by the tailor that he was Portly and would require a bit of special attention to be well fitted.
Me, I can’t say I’d find it easy to choose differently than he did. Because food is a grand part of my joie de vivre as well. I’m more likely to reenact his slightly sheepish yet cheery confession when Grandma caught him almost literally with his hand in the cookie jar and he told her “I only ate fourteen.” Or I’ll quote his favorite refrain about virtually anything edible: “Wouldn’t this be great with some chocolate ice cream!”
Whether the menu du jour is old-school comfort food like lemony shellfish over butter-steamed beet greens, a cheeseburger-meatloaf or an egg salad sandwich, or is some fantastic concoction full of exotic ingredients (probably made by more skilled hands than mine, in that case), count on me jumping into the buffet line right away. Hey, I give myself aerobic credit for the jumping, for starters. The exercise’ll help improve my odds, right Grandpa? I’m always going to have a little Grandpa-angel on my shoulder, of course, reminding me to be moderate when I can stand to be, so I won’t follow too exactly in his genetic footsteps, but if I can keep up with the total-immersion happiness he seemed to find in sitting down to a great meal with his loved ones I’ll be glad to consistently have that aspect of my role model in mind too. Just thinking of our many fantastic times with Grandpa makes the food taste that much better, as it is. Hey, you over there, sneak another scoop of that Tillamook Mudslide ice cream into my dish while I go change into my elastic-waist stretch pants, all right?
Art-Colored Glasses 
Sounds like your Grandpa would have been right at home at our table as well – or YOU for that matter!
And, as a cook, it is much more fun to feed people who enjoy food, than those who obsess over every bite…if I never hear, “oh, put the dressing on the side for me!” again, it will be too soon.
There’s just about nobody on earth that could’ve resisted Grandpa W’s charms. And he was indeed VERY welcome at the table, because besides being fun and funny he appreciated the joys of eating enough to make all cooks happy!
As for me, I’ll gladly sit enthroned at your table any time, darling. When you get the urge to head down TX-ward you’ll be infinitely welcome at mine, of course, always remembering that I’m a true amateur in the kitchen! 🙂
Food and love seem to be inseparable.
You’re right; I haven’t checked, but I’m thinking the dictionary should just have a picture of a big plate of deliciousness next to the definition of Love.
a grandpa angel on her shoulder sounds wonderful! c
I’ve spent my life surrounded by amazing angels, earthly and otherwise.
I hope you know that I think there’s lovely significance in your having the name of the patron saint of musicians! Perhaps that’s why there’s always a sense of music for me in your words, you images, and your recipes. 🙂
Funny grandpa! All of a sudden I missed mine, specially when he starts to tell World War stories
Oh, yes, story-time with the grandparents–what a special time always!
I’d say i care more for the company I am eating my food with than the actual food itself, which is the reason I entertain very often 😉
Makes complete sense to me, so you’re very welcome at my table too! 🙂
What lovely images you have presented us with, both visual and mental! How wonderful to enjoy life so much. I love to eat, but have learned that I can no longer eat like I did in my twenties (though I wish I could).
I *am* gradually trying to train myself that it’s okay to indulge in the quality if I can moderate the quantity! The food may be winning so far . . . 😉
This was so lovely dear Kathryn, your grandpa, foods, stories especially your writing, photographs and again your drawings, they all fascinated me. I can almost imagine this lovely family stories… “a grandpa angel on her shoulder” and “he told her “I only ate fourteen”… these are so nice, reminded me my grandfather and grandmother… Thank you dear Kathryn, with my love, nia
All of us who have known wonderful grandparents are very blessed indeed. It’s good to be reminded of them, I think!
Your grandfather and my paternal grandfather would have gotten along famously. Grandpa Holther was set on feeding everyone who walked into the door with his gastric delights. His ticker took him early as well, when I was only 8 years old, but not too early to keep me from the vivid memories of the food he set before us, the time at his table with paper and pencil making masterpieces of scribbles, even picking potato bugs from the plants in his huge veggie garden. You have brought him back to life in memory for me tonight in this lovely post.
Yes, indeedy, I do suspect our grandfathers are sitting at the same table now! Mine died when I was 8, too, but those good memories only burnish with time, don’t they. 🙂
Kathryn,
All I can say is now I’m HUNGRY! Especially after reading “lemony shellfish over butter-steamed beet greens” and “a cheeseburger-meatloaf”…My mother was a caterer and my aunt’s a chef, so I loved and understand the merger of cherished family members and great meals (I don’t cook all that much, but I am an EXCELLENT, WORLD-CHAMPION eater!) you wrote about…Also, your drawings are quite beautiful as well…Thanks for this!
Jamy