Rejoining society
It’s been nearly a month since my Mother’s death and it’s time for me to quit feeling sorry for myself and try to start connecting with the real world. Eileen says I’ve been too withdrawn and if she notices, it’s time for me to make some changes.
First, I really want to thank everyone who left comments. Sometimes I wonder if *anyone* is really reading this blog and especially since there hasn’t been much in the way of posts recently.
I’ve started to knit a bit again. Nothing special. Just the beginnings of a toe up sock the Queen Kahuna way. I don’t intend on any pictures until I’ve made some real progress.
A bit of cooking, including a spaghetti sauce that came mostly out of my head and was a big hit in the household.
3 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, medium dice
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 28oz can whole tomatoes (try to find Muir Glen Organic)
1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes (once again try to find Muir Glen)
8 oz sliced mushrooms
3 tablespoons dried Basil
1 teaspoon dried Thyme
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon fish sauce (honestly.. try it..)
Kalamata olives — pitted and sliced — a goodly amount 
you probably can’t over do the olive
Heat oil over medium high heat until shimmering. Add onions and cook until the onions are translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (another minute).
Add diced tomatoes and whole tomatoes, crushing the whole tomatoes and all the juices. Add sliced mushrooms, herbs, fish sauce and sugar and simmer for about 30-40 minutes until thickened. Add olives and heat through for about 5-10 minutes.
While all this is cooking, boil 4 quarts of water. When the water begins to boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt and then 1 pound of spaghetti/linguine (I really like Ronzoni) until done to your satisfaction (10-12 minutes). Save about 1 cup of pasta cooking water and drain the remaining.
Combine sauce and pasta and use extra pasta water to thin the sauce down if needed.
Sprinkle on a good Parmesan and enjoy…
Afterthought You’ll notice that there is no added salt or pepper. Between the salt in the canned tomatoes, the added salt from the fish sauce and the salted water for the pasta, *I* didn’t find a need to add anything. You might want to add either to taste.
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StellaMM wrote:
Posted on 06-Jun-08 at 12:29 am | Permalink
Chery wrote:
I always look forward to your posts. I’d been wondering….. miss you. Have a good weekend.
Posted on 06-Jun-08 at 5:13 am | Permalink
Laurie wrote:
We are still here! Cheering you on. Sauce sounds good!
Posted on 06-Jun-08 at 11:03 am | Permalink
TB wrote:
Posted on 06-Jun-08 at 12:59 pm | Permalink
Brenda wrote:
Glad to see you’re back again, Jerry! I’ll do the sauce tonight!
Posted on 07-Jun-08 at 5:06 am | Permalink
Mary de B wrote:
Nice to see you back. I look forward to your posts and great photos.
I agree you can rarely have too many black olives!
Posted on 07-Jun-08 at 6:32 am | Permalink
Linda wrote:
So good to see you back! Go ahead and feel down, but it’s O.K. to enjoy things, too. My MIL passed 15 years ago the weekend after Thanksgiving. It was years before we had anything like a normal holiday season. Be gentle with yourself. The world will be here when you’re ready. And keep on knitting. I’m going to make spaghetti.
Posted on 07-Jun-08 at 5:00 pm | Permalink
Marcia in Austin wrote:
I’m so glad you’re resurfacing. Welcome back!
Posted on 07-Jun-08 at 8:25 pm | Permalink
Jan in PA wrote:
I’m so glad to see you back. I know how hard it is to lose a parent, especially one that you felt so close to. It’s been 4 years and sometimes I see something that my dad would have liked and think, just for a second, to tell him…and then the grief comes all over again.
For sure I’ll try your recipe. I’m getting brave these days. I think 57 will be a good age for learning things.
Jan
Posted on 08-Jun-08 at 5:37 pm | Permalink
LynnH wrote:
Welcome home. You don’t have to “get over it” but probably reaching out and being social will help you while you adjust. Feelings come in waves and it’s OK to feel good for a while before the next sad wave comes along. The waves come further apart as time progresses.
So glad you touched base with us. Sending good vibes to you…
Posted on 09-Jun-08 at 7:46 pm | Permalink
Bridget wrote:
Nice to see you back Jerry. Thanks for the recipe!
Posted on 18-Jun-08 at 5:24 pm | Permalink
Robin wrote:
I am glad you are raising your head after your mother’s passing. If your experience is anything like mine, you will have good times and bad times for a while, then the good times and the good memories take over. I think of my parents most fondly whenever I cook one of the things they loved. Sending good thoughts your way.
Posted on 21-Jun-08 at 9:02 pm | Permalink
Lark wrote:
Sorry for your loss, Jerry, but glad you’re back to communicating on your blog. Never doubt that there are a lot of us that read it! I’m sure you will feel your mother’s presence whenever you are quietly enjoying a beautiful sunrise or sunset or watching the breeze move through the trees. That’s how our loved one talk to us and let us know everything is good. It’s all good. Take care.
Posted on 22-Jun-08 at 3:24 pm | Permalink
Janey wrote:
Can I add my words of condolence?
Take it slow and easy. Eventually you will enjoy your memories again.
Janey
Posted on 06-Jul-08 at 8:23 pm | Permalink
Brenda wrote:
Hi, Jerry–hope things are going a little easier for you as time goes by. You are missed.
Bren
Posted on 15-Jul-08 at 5:56 pm | Permalink