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.
7 responses so far ↓
1 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
2 Janet Majure // Apr 6, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Thanks, Don. We’ll be in touch.
3 Jennifer (Baklava Queen) // Apr 7, 2008 at 5:08 am
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!)
4 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.
5 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.
6 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.
7 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
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