Close to Nowhere

I'm killing my son. For supper Sunday night I made green beans and new potatoes, fried okra, sauteed squash and zucchini and cornbread. Kris hates veggies ­ he is strictly a meat and potatoes man.

I did too when I was "at home." Our family would go visit my Aunt Myrl and Uncle Herbert on their farm in Gleason, Tenn., every summer. I loved being on the farm, but Mama told me after I'd grown up that my brother Dennis and I embarrassed her so much while we were there.

Seems like despite the table laden with good ole home-cooked Southern farm food, Dennis and I would only eat peanut butter sandwiches.

Before my sister Peggy married, she and I would sleep in the same bed at Aunt Myrl's. During the night we would always sneak out of the house; if we got caught we'd just say we were going to the outhouse. Aunt Myrl's house did not have an indoor bathroom at that time. They put one in later, but Peggy and I got to enjoy the joys of the real country during the night.

We'd always wind up by the garden with the tomato plants. Peggy hated tomatoes. There was many a discussion at the dinner table at home when she wouldn't eat them. But at night, at Aunt Myrl's, pulling one off the vine, wiping it off on our nightgowns and eating it like an apple, even Peggy liked them. I loved them!

But put it on the table, peeled and sliced, and ask me to eat it along with fresh corn, green beans, okra, etc.? Ha. There's no way.

It was years and years before I'd eat squash. I didn't learn to like most vegetables until I was probably middleaged ­ not that I'm much older than middle-aged now. Nowadays, if it weren't for pizza, and hot dogs, I could probably happily be a vegetarian. Nah, I have to have a good burger or steak once in a while.

Last week I went to Carpenter's Farms in Holly Springs. I don't/can't get out much, so a trip anywhere is exciting for me. I went berserk among the squash, zucchini, green beans, new potatoes, tomatoes and cantaloupe.

And the peaches! I ate three peaches before I got home. I found the last two while I was cooking Sunday night, and they were gone almost as soon as I saw them.

I have one cantaloupe left from my market visit. I plan to eat it for breakfast soon ­ the entire cantaloupe. Corine at the market always picks me out the best cantaloupe.

And now, it's Sunday night, I'm stuffed with veggies and I have a massively dirty kitchen.

I think it's time for a nap before bed.