To hear him tell it, my dad grew up on a steady diet of beans and cornbread. A child of the Depression growing up on a dairy farm in Mississippi, he probably didn’t exaggerate much, at least where his diet is concerned. Over the years, he accepted my mother’s thrifty cooking (though he tired of a few dishes) and seemed always to appreciate a good, home-cooked meal, however modest. I guess that might be because he generally liked food.
An etching of mistletoe (poorly rendered here), by O.D. Majure
Although I’d be hard-pressed to name Dad’s favorite foods, I know a little of his likes and dislikes. I’ll give you a sense of those in what follows, a culinary farewell to my father, who died earlier today at age 83 after having a happy last dinner at the Bristol Seafood Grill.
Disliked, as a result of his impoverished Depression-era childhood diet or the high-thrift diet that my mother kept him on in the early years of their marriage:
- Macaroni and cheese
- Tuna-noodle casserole
Liked:
- Oatmeal (but my mother rarely made it because of eating it daily due to the privations of her Depression-era childhood)
- Devil’s food cake with 7-minute frosting
- Pie
- Tea and wine, not foods but definitely favorites
- Jeff’s twice-baked potatoes
- Pecans
- Blackberry preserves
He talked about crawdads and other New Orleans favorites, but I don’t recall his seeking those out. He liked fish and reveled one year in eating freshly caught rainbow trout for breakfast in Colorado. He taught himself to make a decent baguette, no small feat, but making them didn’t become a habit.
No doubt he had other favorites and dislikes that I can’t think of. Maybe my sisters will show up here and add their bits. Until then, here’s a salute to Dad.
Don Smith // Apr 5, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Janet:
Susan wrote me the sad news about your dad. I was trying to find your home address, and I came across this entry. It’s very nice indeed.
As I recall you had two sisters, but maybe I’m missing one. There’s the one who is a doctor (maybe in Rifle?) and the one who was in the legislature with my dad. Sorry if I’m missing someone.
Anyway, all of you will be in my thoughts.
-Don Smith
Janet Majure // Apr 6, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Thanks, Don. We’ll be in touch.
Janet, sorry to hear about your Dad, but what a lovely tribute. A man that teaches himself how to make baguettes must be a treasure! :-) (Among other reasons, of course!)
Tracy // Apr 7, 2008 at 10:39 pm
My condolences, Janet. Best wishes to you and all your loved ones, and thank you for sharing such loving memories.
Alison // Apr 9, 2008 at 10:32 pm
What a sweet, sweet tribute. Condolences to you and your sisters. I work with Lori. You all must have made your Dad proud.
Steve and Seánan // Apr 11, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Dear Janet,
We’re so sorry to hear about your father. This is indeed a beautiful tribute. We’re not believers in the clichés that are usually offered in these times. These words, by W. S. Merwin, are the best that we can offer. They’re from a poem called ‘Separation’.
Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched with its color.
§
He reared a fine daughter.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Janet Majure // Apr 12, 2008 at 8:17 am
Thank you Jennifer, Alison, Tracy, Steve and Seanan for your good wishes and the lovely quotation, S&S. Services were yesterday at long last. Now the real business of grieving and getting on with life has begun. —Janet