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April 14 Mendy's Day As A CookI came home from work, ready for a good Mendy-sitting-on-my-feet evening. I was also looking forward to her first attempt at supper! I'll admit, I was a little nervous for her. She has done so many worldly things before she adopted us but I didn't think cooking had been one of them-of course, I was also sure she hadn't even begun to tell us everything of her colorful life. When I came in, Hubby was in the living room, reading the paper. Mendy ushered me in, apron on and something fabulous smelling wafting from the kitchen. She looked pretty cute in her Chef's hat and apron-the smearing on her apron confirming her hard work-and her face reflecting an all-work attitude. I noticed this apron was not adorned with writing as was the first one Hubby suggested purchasing...apparently, Mendy doesn't care for apron adornment. I also noticed her tail sticking out from behind her apron...kind of reminded me of the Cowardly Lion swatting at his tail when he and the others went to meet OZ. I didn't share my thoughts...I didn't think Mendy would be amused with the comparison.
Mendy asked if I would like a glass of Chardonnay, to which I gladly accepted. She said Hubby had been banished from the kitchen for trying to pick at her chicken. (Hey, a hint-we were having chicken!) We talked some of my day and she gave me the run down on what her plans were for her next poker gathering. (Mendy enjoys her gambling and hosts a weekly poker party. Cappin' Jack is always there and they rotate the rest of the regulars in and out, depending on whose schedules can accommodate an afternoon of cigars, bourbon and poker. We, nor the cats are invited.) She, apparently, is down on her luck after a major loss in the March Madness bracket so the stakes at this weeks' poker game will not be as high as in past weeks. As she talked, I nibbled at the cheese plate she had set in front of me and I watched her work. She was quite deft with her paws and stirred a beautiful thickening brown sauce with gently grace. The other paw on her hip, she looked right at home in the kitchen. Water was just starting to boil in a pot on the back of the stove and she slipped a loaf of bread in the oven to warm. Mendy regaled me of tales from her travels in Italy and explained that this meal was a reminder of a rustic meal she had one lazy, summer afternoon. She had been backpacking through some rugged mountainous terrain for several days and lowing on supplies, had decided to head into the next town she happened upon for re-fueling. Just outside of town, she came upon a farmer, fixing a flat on his small tractor. Mendy, stopped to help and they struck up a conversation. The tire soon fixed, the farmer invited Mendy to stay for supper. She agreed and they were off. Mendy's gaze was far away and she absent-mindedly stirred her sauce and described the small farm house and surrounding grounds. The sun was lower in the sky when she and the Farmer arrived and two small goats ran to meet the Farmer when he clambered down from his tractor. They greeted Mendy with a bleat and friendly sniff, all the while their tails swishing behind them. The farmhouse was small, surrounded by a few swaying trees and grape vines draping over the porch. It seemed to tuck into the lush, dark green hillside perfectly. A cow looked up from her grazing long enough to blink and moo. The farm kitties stretched in the afternoon sun from their perch in the hay by the open barn door. Once painted a fresh white, the farmhouse had bleached in the sun, which made the little home look like it had happily lived there forever. Mendy noticed a portly, easy smiling, woman in her late 50's in the door in a light brown calico print dress and her hair pulled back in a bun. She greeted the Farmer warmly and their eyes twinkled when they looked upon each other. In a thick accent, she welcomed Mendy in, with very little introduction from the Farmer. The woman was already busily cooking supper and told Mendy the more the merrier. Mendy said the simple meal of chicken and pasta smelled and tasted of fresh, woody mushrooms...with a rich, dark brown sauce and homemade long strings of pasta noodles. The Farmers' wife had made a rustic, fresh bread with a thick, crunchy crust and a warm, soft center earlier in the day and they nibbled on the end of a loaf, sopping up the last of the sauce from the plates once the meal was complete. Mendy laughed hardily, remembering the Farmers' annoyance at the wife for not allowing any poker playing in the house. The three new friends took their vino out to the small porch and watched the sun set over the mountains, talking far into the evening hours.
I realized I was smiling to myself listening to the end of Mendy's story and that we were already cleaning up dishes from what had been a fabulous meal. Mendy learned from the Farmer's wife well and I knew better than to ask for the recipe. She would just give me a mischievous smile. Mendy bid us an early evening that night...she seemed almost a bit melancholy from her tales of Italy. She had clearly enjoyed her time there and mentioned she would like to return someday.
Yet another wonderful evening in our comfortable home. I, once again, thanked God for Mendy's having adopted us...a year and a half ago as I watched her un-do her apron and retire to her room. We didn't know how long she would stay...she seemed a bit magical..like Mary Poppins...one never quite knowing when she was coming or going. The one thing we did know, we wanted her to stay forever.
One could never have too many of those kinds of evenings. April 12 Mendy Gets BoredPlease note all stories are legally trademarked by me and plagiarizing is punishable by law. I will sue if I see my work published without my permission.
Since I was a little girl, I have had an imaginary land where all the animals around me could talk and for the most part were wiser than their human counterparts. The animals were also more understanding, listened to my every worry and concern and lended their shoulders for a good cry whenever I needed it. It was my way to escape a childhood with which I was not very happy. I have continued to add a "human" personality to my animals even as an adult. So much so that Hubby thought putting some of it on paper might make a good read. So here goes.
Last night, Mendy informed me that she would like to start doing more around the house. She is bored with the same hum-drum routine. I was a bit surprised to hear this and expressed some concern that she may be wanting to take too much on! I mean, she already guards the house while we are gone, house sits the cats, entertains Grandma when she comes over at noon (seemingly to let Mendy out) AND greets us when we come in the door with giant Mendy Smiles and Waggins and Messina. When we are at home, she helps with the vacuuming by running to and fro and growling at the machine. She also is very good at helping clean supper dishes by licking whatever we have left on the table when we have only cleared the first half of the supper dishes. The biggest job she has is foot warmer when I lay on the couch after a long day's work. It's a big job to make a Mom feel content after a rotten day but she always seems to know just what to do. She has is also an excellent Nurse Mendy whenever my sinuses give me trouble. After my surgery, she was tirelessly by my side, always with her brown eyes filled with concern and worry. She would get up and gently sniff my face, I guess she could smell the medicine and packing in my nose. She has been a very loyal Nurse and really does make me feel better if she lays right beside me on the bed with her back to me. Spread all the way out, she is nearly as tall as I am. It's very comforting.
But, She wouldn't take no for an answer. So tonight, Hubby informed me that Mendy will be making supper. He has equipped her with her own apron, her own chef's cap and apparently she spent some time with Cap't (Cappin')Jack this afternoon going over recipe favorites. Hubby has been ousted from the kitchen so the whole meal is just going to be one big surprise! I sure hope she has enough energy left over to sit on my feet. I sure could use a big dog smile and comfort after today's news.
Sophia |
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