Sunday night supper and a bunch of trivia

Double trouble in Austin

Jordan and Jacob are in Austin, due home tomorrow bringing Ford with them. But Sunday night supper for two seemed sort of weak, although I had gotten the makings for hamburger stroganoff. Instead, Christian and I are headed to a potluck supper at the church.

I love church potluck suppers. They remind me of my childhood. Long buffet line tonight, and people were frantically putting up more tables. No program, just visiting. We sat with people from TCU—I knew the women slightly but it was like meeting new friends. Turkey, dressing, green bean casserole, that pumpkin pie you never eat at any other season. Christian wanted to know why some potato chunks were purple—they just were.

Between the Sunday morning sermon and Facebook, I picked up some wonderful trivia today. Last week, I had a serious discussion with Jacob about the F-word. He asked if I ever used it, and I said no. In the way of twelve-year-old boys, he said, “Aw, c’mon, Juju.” I told him that yes, I let loose with a few milder expletives if pushed, but I can honestly say I have never used the F-word. Today in the sermon, Dr. Russ Peterman mentioned his three favorite F-words: food, family, football. I can’t wait for Jacob to get home, so I can spring that on him.

On Facebook I found an image of Christmas Tinner—a can that has layers of Christmas food. A scrambled egg and bacon layer sits on top followed by two mince meat pies, turkey and potatoes, gravy, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, Brussels sprouts or broccoli with stuffing, roast carrots and parsnips, and Christmas pudding. It reminds me either of the can of haggis a friend once gave me or the original Bob Armstrong layered appetizer at Matt Martinez’ in Austin. Most people say “Yuck,” and I surely wouldn’t substitute it for a real Christmas dinner, but I’m not beyond trying it. Apparently, it was developed for gamers who can’t bear to leave their new Christmas games long enough for dinner with the family—a bad social commentary on our society.

And then, so not in the spirit of Christmas, there’s a Wisconsin business that gave each of its employees a hand gun for Christmas. And who will they complain to if there’s an incident of work-place violence at their business? Another discouraging commentary on our society.

Such commentaries are countered by the examples of kindness we see around us every day. On Facebook, I make it a point to share such stories when I come across them. Remember when Oprah encouraged us all to do one unexpected act of kindness a day? It’s still a good idea as we enter this week of thankfulness.