Lunch Is Ready!

Last night amidst all of the messiness of American politics regarding family separation, a thunderstorm took one of the six tarps completely off the roof, caused my living room walls to "cry," and the vaulted ceiling to drip. I headed to bed frustrated and uneasy.  Honestly, I felt like a character in a B-horror movie that just WOULD NOT END!  I turned out the light and realized I'd not read my Forward Day by Day for the solstice.  I turned the light back on to find this gem of a reading and reflection waiting patiently for me.  It was just what I needed.

RMD and I cooked lunch for the roofing crew the past two days, and last night we prepped lunch for today - a double batch of chicken sausage gumbo.  Feeding six to eight people isn't much of a chore for us.  We have fed groups of 50 people or more - usually as a buffet and much more impersonally.

In fact, the last time we had a big gathering (ok, a party of nearly 50) at our home, it included people from all facets of our lives - my work, his work, Episcopal church folk, horse world, geography peeps, and long-time friends who are more like family.  RMD asked if we could scale down the "party list" the next time and just invite one group.  We haven't done a really, big party since then.

I really can't imagine serving a sit-down meal for 12 very different minded people.  I often find it hard to be a traditional Southern hostess.  I much prefer folks to get what they want or need themselves and to stay in the kitchen managing the "mess" than being the social creature that a Southern hostess should be.  Don't get me wrong, I love having folks over.  REALLY!  I just feel that I often neglect whole groups of folks if the party is much larger than eight. God Bless, Jesus and the hospitality of who ever prepared and served the meal that night.

I hope RMD and I can continue to serve meals to all of our friends from whatever facet of our life they come to meet us.  And, I hope we continue to welcome strangers with grace and hospitality.

I must go make the baked rice for today's lunch now.

Peace be with you all.  Happy summer.