For the Love of Cookbooks

Cookbooks are wondrous things that bedeck my office shelves by the dozens. I am especially fond of the full-color, picture of every dish, food-laid-out-in-a-feast books. I have been known to spend hours in the cooking section of the local bibliophile hangout (aka Borders) simply browsing through the photographs. (This is even better when I have a cup of richly scented coffee and a piece of cheesecake to enjoy while I lounge in the deep velvet chair nearby.) What a pleasant way to pass an afternoon, or morning, or any other time of day.

I admit this might be even more fun if the weather were dreary, cold, and rainy, but since it is seldom any of those (let alone all three together)in the Valley of the Sun, I pretend. Sometimes, early in the morning I draw all the curtains and shades to block the banana cream light, turn on the fireplace (I know - don't ask why we have one.), and dream of succulent feasts and friends gathered to share them.

Weekend shows on Food Network can also fulfill my cookbook fix. I enjoy listening to Nigella Lawson's sumptuous descriptions and sardonic tone. The Barefoot Contessa is another staple because she never skimps on the butter or cream. I do, however, have trouble with the low-fat, low-calorie, low-taste shows. I'm sure I should pay attention and try to emulate those recipes, but they just can't be as good as the southern fried chicken and cornbread Paula Deen's making. The best part of watching a cooking show is that I can almost smell the tasty treats in my own home. Of course, this frequently leads me to making the meals so that I can actually smell (and eat) them all, which may be why I'm having trouble losing weight.

Hey, do you think I could sue? Imagine a perky, petite reporter approaching a somewhat portly middle-aged woman on the courthouse steps.
"Excuse me ma'am. Would you care to comment on the basis of your lawsuit?"
"Of course. You see, I blame Food Network for making me fat. After all, if they don't expect me to cook all of that food, why do they show it on television? Obviously it is a subversive plot to lower the self-esteem of women everywhere and make it easier for the communists to take over America."
"Do you think you have a good chance of winning?"
"Yes. I hired the same lawyer who helped the lady get millions from McDonald's because their coffee was hot! If he can win that lawsuit, I'm sure he can do wonders with this one."

Well, maybe not. But, since this is February - a month devoted to chocolate and love - I decided to write a little ditty (Actually, it's a triolet.) to my adored kitchen companions.

To a Cookbook
I think upon my meals with you -
sweet time engaged in wine and song
and pies, and cakes, and cookies too.
I think upon my meals with you
remembering each scent and hue
of dinners - simmering so long.
I think upon my meals with you
sweet time engaged in wine and song.

(FYI: Triolets are a French poetic form generally written in iambic tetrameter. Lines 1, 4, and 7 are the same. Lines 2 and 8 are the same. Lines 3 and 5 rhyme with line 1. Line 6 rhymes with line 2. This is one of my students' favorite creative forms. Give it a try.)