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Go Placidly

My food truck business started back up this past weekend, and from here until November, the weeks will be packed.  Sandwich-slinging Thursday-Saturday and bartending work Monday-Wednesday.  And Sunday, I guess, is the day to sleep in and hide in my house.

Hiding out is the one thing I feel like doing a lot of these days.  My food truck's ReOpening wasn't the only thing happening in my hometown this weekend past.  A 13-year-old boy was accidentally shot and killed on Saturday and then yesterday, the police department busted one of the biggest meth labs in a long time.

Both are tragic...one is a sad loss, one that will devastate a loving family for the rest of their lives.  One is tragic only because of the profound stupidity/ignorance/addiction of a few people who happen to be living in a town mostly filled with good-hearted, hard-working people.

And if it's not drama at the local level, then there's the constant bombardment of news that seems to be vividly illustrate the obliteration of decency and sensibility in our nation's politics.

And on a personal level, I have children who are reaching "that" age.  The age of discovery and curiosity and difficult decision-making...and I don't mean about Nickelodeon programming.  On top of that, people I respect greatly are passing on, leaving me to think about my legacy, my life.

Life is tough sometimes.  Well, actually, it's tough a lot of the time.  I know I'm just a speck in the universe and all I really know is that I know nothing...but I still wish I knew what the hell was going on around here.  It's no wonder to me that I retreat to the places I know best...my home, my friends, my writing, my kitchen.  There - things make sense and if I don't have the answer, I can find it.

I often wonder if I should be doing more.  Should I be reaching out more?  Should I send more cards and letters and make more phone calls?  Am I wrong to hole up in my kitchen and brainstorm myself silly over the 5 pounds of pork belly I have in my freezer?  The universe is still waiting for an answer, and so am I.

Yep.  This is a blog about food...but there are other things that are more important than food today.  I am remembering the words of American writer Max Ehrmann...I often turn to his poem "Desiderata" when I feel like this.  "In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

Indeed.

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