An Ambivalent Thank You



A few days ago, my daughter was going off with another family for something or other. When they picked her up, they made a flash handoff at the door. As the human tide swirled out the door, a grocery bag was thrust into my hands with the injunction, "I don't know if this makes any sense in the context of your plans, but use them or throw them away." Inside the bag was a jumble of plastic bags and Tupperware. The haul: fresh basil, some sliced fennel, two fresh beets, and probably something I've forgotten.

With this move, our friend, we'll call her "Nancy," has shattered the Border of Leftovers. It used to be that leftovers ended at your property line. First they became sacrifices in the Frozen Shrine To The Goddesses of Parsimony and Thrift. After a period of time long enough to show respect to these deities, they then entered either the garbage disposal or can. Two simple choices: Use It or Lose It.

But now, the neighbors can bring their stuff to you. That's a lot of responsibility.

But even with all the posturing above, I can't help looking at the bag as a treasure trove. Fresh basil tastes wonderful, and it's outrageous to have some in the dead of winter. Fresh beets make great salads. It was sad to toss the fennel, which seemed to have lost all its fennelness, if you know what I mean.

Thanks, "Nancy." I think...

Posted: Mon - January 9, 2006 at 09:34 PM        

©