Sitting by the kitchen table, sipping my wine as I admire my hard work coming together.
The pasta I made earlier today going into the boiling water making a lovely soft splash inside the big pot. The thick red sauce I made from scratch with my father simmering next to the pasta pot. Mini eggplant medallions frying on the back burner.
The meal making me smile isn’t surprising, eggplant parmigiana is a favorite from childhood.
No the smile tonight has nothing to do with the food, delicious as it may be.
The smile is for the man finishing the preparation for me. Wearing my apron and a pair of old worn blue jeans. He came in half an hour ago, when he got back in from his chores on the farm. Saw what I was making and asked me to let him finish up while I changed and got comfortable.
I returned to find my a glass of my homemade dandelion wine waiting for me. We both know by the time I finish my wine dinner will be served. By the time dinner is eaten, and the tidying has been finished, I’ll have a full plan for how I want to reward my thoughtful servant.
Good behavior must be encouraged after all!