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Gary W Moore
We all have hobbies and passions in life. Some like to do woodworking while others may love to garden. Some activities are common and others unique and unusual. There are more hobbies and passions than I can think of and list on this page, but almost everyone has something. I love to cook for friends and family. When we have company, I’m up early and working in the kitchen. My skills are limited. I have no professional training. I just know what I like and share it with others.
I’ve often wondered about my cooking obsession and I now realize it is just a way that I enjoy serving others. I love to eat, and I seem to have a creative gene that encourages me to try new recipes. It makes me feel good knowing that cooking for others makes them happy. It’s a positive activity that provides a basic human service for people I care about and love.
Through the years I’ve developed a few recipes that I’m proud of. I grow pickling cucumbers in my garden and make what I call “Lemony Dill Pickles.” I’ve never canned them because they are eaten as fast as I can make them. It’s a citrusy twist to traditional dill pickles by replacing half the vinegar with lemon juice. I thinly slice the cucumbers and put them in a bowl. I never measure anything ... but I put in roughly 40% distilled or filtered water, 35% white vinegar, 25% lemon juice, salt to taste (I like salt), dill, garlic, and black pepper cloves. I let it marinate for twenty-four hours and enjoy. I also thinly slice an onion and put into the mix. I’m sharing this with you as I don’t want my recipe lost.
Please let me know if you try this. Play with the mixtures to suit your taste buds. I’d love to know what you think. I also make a killer Barbeque Sauce and a unique recipe of mashed potatoes I’ll share later. I love working to please others through my cooking.
When my grandkids were younger, I bought a Mickey Mouse pancake maker that made pancakes in the shape of Mickey. They became known in our family as “MouseCakes.” The most common question from my Facebook friends was “Are they made out of real mice?”
My grandkids enjoyed them, until they didn’t. Now, my “MouseCake Maker” sits in a cabinet hoping for another grandchild or six.
Cooking isn’t an unusual hobby, but my next passion is. I love to iron my children and now grandchildren’s clothes. I don’t iron on schedule but only by request. “Dad, I’m running late to school. Can you iron this for me?” My daughter would often say as she tossed her shirt down the stairs. I’d sometimes try to resist, but the joy I found in doing this was surprising. I have ironed for everyone but there is a special “ironing bond” I have with my daughter, Tara Beth. Before school ... later in life, before dates or even a job interview, I loved hearing her voice ask me to iron.
One of the things I like about ironing is that it is an anonymous activity. No one ever compliments you on your ironing skills. You’ve never been asked, “Wow, who ironed your pants? They did a great job!” I like the feeling of doing something for no credit nor attention but something that is appreciated by the recipient. Does that make sense? It does to me.
I’ve shared this in the past, but the most memorable ironing experience was on her wedding day. By this point in life, she realized the satisfaction I received by providing this service for her. The morning of her wedding she walked down the stairs with her wedding dressed draped over her arms. All she said was “Dad ...” and I eagerly took it from her and quickly turned away so she would not see the emotion I felt bubbling up. I took my time, as it was the most complex garment I had ironed, but also the most meaningful. My emotions flowed and dotted her perfectly white dress as I ironed my tears into the fabric. It was both a sad but immensely joyful moment that I’ll never forget.
So, now you know a little bit more about me and I’m guessing I’m the first person you’ve met who finds ironing joyful.
Until next week ... try my pickles!
Gary W. Moore is a freelance columnist, speaker and author of three books including the award-winning, critically acclaimed, “Playing with the Enemy.” Follow Gary on Twitter @ GaryWMoore721 and at www.garywmoore.com