Tonight as I prepped for my evening adventure I set the crock pot on high and filled it with chicken thighs.... Anticipating the hunger that would follow a night on the trails...
My run was a thing of beauty...
Stunning trails, fun and technical terrain....
A not so fun bear encounter...
Lots of heat....
Even more beautiful scenery....
and the feeling of accomplishment after a long weekend on the trails, and tired legs.
The exhilaration of the adventure fed my soul as I headed home thinking it was time to feed my body...
Opting for a quick hard-boiled egg and apple, I decided to leave the crock pot on a while longer while I walked the beasts and took a salt bath....
A little extra time to tenderize and simmer in the flavors...
I took my time with the beasts, and relaxed as my legs were soothed by heat and salt in preparation for my next adventure...
Its funny where the mind goes at times....
From an exhilarating and fulfilling adventure to the crock pot on the counter...
As I pulled the meat out and shredded it for my weekly meals my mind drifted to that first time I bought the Crock Pot I affectionately call "my wife"...
I was visiting my sister in Swift Current...
It was a hard time in my life as i was taking the steps to leave an unsafe Marriage, and I just needed to get away to clear my head....
She made us ribs in her Crock Pot, Sweet and Sour Ribs.... that were the best thing I had ever tasted in my life....
We chatted over ribs and she told me all about the glory of the crock pot....
A most normal moment in my very broken world...
The next day we went to the Co-op and I bought one for myself...
She's not fancy...
She has no auto timer...
Only 3 settings....
Simmer...
Low...
And High....
She's not pretty at all...
Decorated in a 1970's retro look that is just retro enough to not look cool, rather like an old farm house....
But she is loyal...
She has cooked for me countless meals...
Always leaving something hot for me to enjoy after a long day of work or adventure seeking...
Sometimes she cooks all night to bring me pulled pork for my lunch the next day...
Or she hosts family pot lucks with her famous caramel apple filling...
And each time I use her I am reminded of my sister...
And how I took 3 things away from that weekend...
My Crock Pot....
The H1N1....
And a little more strength to move forward in the process of changing my life....
I guess in some ways my little "wife" reminds me of my freedom...
And all those amazing people who supported me through that hard time....
And so I'll cherish my ugly 1970's crock pot....
And all the memories that come with her....
But mostly...
I'll just love her for her yummy food!
No comments:
Post a Comment