Bena Mae’s Kitchen: What’s your hurry?

Because January 1 is the first day of the new year, we have drawn a connection between what we do on that day and our fate throughout the rest of the year. I hope this isn’t so because I am being intolerably lazy this first day of the new year. Fact is, I am quite content with doing nothing at all today. Besides, as one writer says, ‘to engage in a serious work project on that day is very unlucky.’ And far be it for me to tempt the fates.

Why do we feel the need to rush about as though there were no tomorrow? What does it accomplish except frayed nerves.  And tomorrow is just more of the same. And the day after that, and the day after that.

I am reminded of the visiting pastor’s sermon in one of the Andy Griffith episodes where he encouraged the congregation to slow down a bit, take their time. It’s a funny episode, especially when the preacher shouts “WHAT’S YOUR HURRY!” and makes the congregation jump. Those who are still awake take the message so seriously they spend the Sabbath working themselves to exhaustion in order to arrange a band concert in an effort to relax. Of course their efforts end up in a mish-mash of tempers flying, zero coordination and failure to put on the concert. Thus, the result of their afternoon of labor being that all the participants came to rest on the Taylor front porch, dog-tired and drained of energy.

Then when the preacher came by, after admonishing the congregation to slow down in his morning sermon, he turns down an invitation to stay and visit for awhile, saying that he has to RUN back to his home in New York. It’s one of my favorite episodes and one that carries a life’s lesson if one cares to look for it.

Now I’m hearing from the Grammar Police that the proper way to say this new year is 2010. Not 2 thousand and 10. That would take too long to say, they presume.  Again, there’s that need for hurry. Why?  We are only rushing to our graves. Time enough for that.

But I’m beginning to feel that the years fly by too fast for comfort. I’ve just now become accustomed to writing 2009 on my checks. And now it’s time to write 2010.  I’m finding that the old saying, “ I grow too soon old, but too late smart” is not only an old adage but a testament to where I am at this stage in life.

Movin’ on.  But slowly, my friend.

What could be easier and tastier than this on a cold day.

Taco Soup

(from Recipe Czar)

SERVES 4

1/2 lb ground beef 

1 large onion 

28 ounces tomatoes with juice 

15 ounces black beans 

8 ounces tomato sauce  

1 1/4 ounces taco seasoning

4 cups water

1. Brown beef and onion. Drain grease.

2. Add ingredients.

3. Simmer 1 hour.

4. Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream with chips and corn bread.