Favorite Food Places And What Did I Forget To Say

Write Down the Bones Deck to Free the Writer Within — This is my wish for you: that you take these cards, grab the topic on one side and write, write, write. Then flip to the other side of the card and take note.

I’ve always used the word topic instead of prompt. Prompt is the starting place, but topic indicates more the idea of plunging in and immersing. Natalie Goldberg

The card today is about favorite dining.

Dairy Queen is not my favorite but no whining.

I prefer Mexican, Chinese, and Japanese food

The perfect food to put me in a mood.

Then there are the home cooking places

closed during the pandemic leaving big spaces.

Natalie Goldberg’s Write Down the Bones Deck to Free the Writer Within — Tell me about a favorite cafe, diner, luncheonette (do they use that word anymore?), coffee shop.

Great American Roadhouse was the place closest to me, and I enjoyed it. It closed during the pandemic. We had family gatherings there. Only three miles from home. They could handle a larger group than our house can. They said that they couldn’t keep help during the pandemic.

When I would go to a neighboring town, I liked the place that had the best Brussels sprouts—I referred to them as orgasmic Brussels sprouts. No more Brussels sprouts there. But they have popovers! I love a popover or two. Now it is just one as I have become gluten sensitive. Darn!

Then there was the small diner that had the pies, and they had a wild rice quiche, which was the bomb.com. No more due to the pandemic. It was a small mom-and-pop place that couldn’t survive the shutdown.

I miss those wonderfully made dishes from those diners and restaurants.

Where is it? What state, what town, what street? What’s it near — the library, GM factory, school, empty lot? What do they serve? What do you like about it? The chairs, windows, muffins; the music over the loudspeaker; the person behind the counter? The angles are endless. When do you go? You can see I want to hear all about it. Tell me. Natalie Goldberg

Is all of this necessary? No. Not for me. I could write all about the years of good food and the places but for right now, just know that the best places are where friends and family choose to gather. And yes, that even includes the hubby's list of DQ, Arby’s, Culvers, Taco Bell, and Country Kitchen.

Natalie Goldberg’s Write Down the Bones Deck to Free the Writer Within — Tell me what you forgot to say.

The thing about me at 70, is it depends on what time of the month it is. I take a progesterone cream that helps with my brain function. I am off of it for 5 days a month per directions. During those 5 days, I often feel like I have no brain. I regularly forget what I was going to say.

Besides those 5 days, I’m pretty good about remembering what I wanted to say. I have gaps in memory due to chemo brain and a respiratory code, and other than that I am doing okay. Not to say it will continue that way, however, for now, I’m good!

To whom? To anybody, including yourself. We all have so much inside that is unsaid. Say some of that on the page. What did you not get around to saying — to a salesclerk, your parent, sister, best friend? Natalie Goldberg

I love you is a typical last message when talking to loved ones on the telephone and when leaving them in person. A hug and an I love you. I learned to do that when I was 30.

I tend to be kind to everyone as that is how I wish for others to treat me. It really helps. A smile for everyone. A conversation with most. Even if it is short. We never know what we say that may help another or what they say may help us.

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First published by Mercury Press on medium.com