How a Man Cooks a Gumbo

We've had a hankering for a big ole' Gumbo, and because the temperature yesterday dropped from 76 to 41 degrees in 8.2 seconds, my husband thought today would be the perfect day to "whip up" a pot. (We have to do winter stuff quickly around here since tomorrow, I'll probably be laying out in the backyard in my bikini....for us Louisianians, "unpredictable weather" means "totally predictable weather".)

While I was busy in Lafayette yesterday doing a Premier Jewelry Show, he packed up our two-year-old and trecked to Wal-Mart to get gumbo supplies.10 AM, bright and early, he started cut, cut, cut...chop, chop, choping the ingredients.

While my son and I marched, marched, marched around the house (his new OBSESSION...marching! Thank you, Jack's Big Music Show), the smell of the perfect cold-day-in-Louisiana Sunday meal wafted its way down our parade route. I peeked into the kitchen and saw my brilliant Cajun Cook standing near the stove, arms folded, face beaming with pride.

Then I see what he's so proud of.

THIS is how a man cooks a gumbo:

Inaugural Poem....this is NOW!

This is an excerpt from Elizabeth Alexander's poem delivered at the request of our new president at his Inauguration. The light is here! THIS IS IT!

...What if the mightiest word is Love?
Love beyond marital, filial, National;
Love that casts a widening pool of Light.
Love with no need to preempt grievance.
In today's sharp sparkle, this wintry air,
Anything can be made; any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,
Praise Song for walking forward in that Light.


I am simply touched by the fact that our new leader chose this poet to compose such an eloquent declaration of what life is, what Love is.