Cancer Contrarian
Most of my day yesterday was focused on cooking. A good friend lost his wife to cancer, so I wanted to contribute to the Meal Train supporting him while he grieves. I figured if I was going to fire up the oven, the grill and the stovetop, I would also bank some good, reheatable food in our refrigerator as well.
I made three pounds of beef and pork meatballs, grilled three pounds of chicken thighs, roasted five pounds of Yukon gold potatoes, four crowns of broccoli, cooked a pound of cheese tortellini and made a sauce with cherry tomatoes, garlic, and those teeny tiny little summer squash, plus fresh basil. I also made a batch of my favorite rice pudding recipe, with orange zest, vanilla and dried cherries.
As I cooked, I thought of my friend and his sweet wife. I noted that the food I was making hit every note: Sweet, Salty, Bitter, Sour, Savory. Driving home from the grocery store, I saw the signs notifying the community that the Pelotonia charity bike ride would be coming through town next weekend.
I have nothing against Pelotonia, but I have never felt drawn to participate in it. Structurally, I think it is genius. It’s a great outlet for so many of us who are affected by the disease. When I lost my dad to lung cancer in 2008, I started training for my first marathon. It could have just as easily been a long bike trek. Long training runs were a way to reflect on my loss, and a vain attempt to outrun the grim reaper by becoming as healthy and robust as possible.
When stomach cancer took my mom’s life, I still did not feel called to saddle up and join the peloton. Something about it repels me. Maybe I’m reluctant to re-engage with grief that I have mostly put behind me. At least part of my resistance is distrust of distracted drivers who might plow me over during training rides.
So many people that I know ride in the event. I can’t possibly give each of them a meaningful donation. Instead, I cook food for my friend, another person suffering the loss of a loved one due to cancer. We all have our roles to play.
Sunday Supper
These Grilled Chicken Thighs w/ Lime-Basil Butter are a perfect summer recipe. And this recipe for Salt & Pepper Zucchini is a great use of this prolific ingredient. With peaches just about to peak, this Fruit Galette recipe would be good to have on hand.
Sunday Music
This hour-long video featuring Sheryl Crow and Jason Isbell in conversation and performance at The Metropolitan Museum of Art is wonderful. Enjoy!
If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them.
Have a great week ahead! Offer support to others. Make good use of this day. And let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,