Healthy Choice (?)

   Your mother’s voice (for better or for worse) lives inside your head forever. MY mother was a complex person and we had our ups and downs. She passed away nearly twenty years ago. One of her claims to fame was that she was a spectacular cook. And, as a fully Appalachian cook, she felt about the terms ‘lowfat’ and ‘reduced salt’ the way other people feel about getting shot or stabbed.

   This afternoon, after WAY too much damned busywork, I went to the grocery store. I was hustling through trying to get a dual list of items for my own family and items for my brother’s family for his upcoming visit. I picked up a can of Campbell’s cream of chicken soup, thinking happily about a chicken and rice casserole that my mother used to make. Then I noticed that the blasted thing was ‘salt free’. Instantly, as if she were standing right behind me, I heard my mother snarl “WHAT THE FUCK!”

   I very nearly dropped the soup, and had to lean over to contain my laughter. I didn’t think standing alone in the soup aisle laughing hysterically would be seemly. I will add salt to the casserole, Mom. It’ll be ok, I promise.