The egg pops and sizzles when it hits the pan. I let it cook a little, the whites turning from transparent to opaque, before I mix it up with a spoon. I like my eggs scrambled in the pan – as opposed to beating them silly in a bowl and then pouring 'em onto the griddle.
The difference? Prescrambled eggs are boring, uniformly yellow and homogenously perfect. I like them scrambled in the pan because that allows a little bit of cooking, which gives the eggs a marvelous, different texture throughout. There's egg whites and bits of yolk mosaicly mixed. Either way tastes about the same, and the ingredients are exactly alike. It's the added texture that makes them special.
Life is like that. We can make changes to ourselves, to our living spaces and our relationships by using the same ingredients to include a rich texture. Maybe it's a new hairdo. Maybe we rearrange the furniture. Maybe we enjoy a new hobby with our friends. A little texture goes a long way. Here's a few textures in my life I've noticed lately:
1. My son's hair brushing against my chin while we sit in the recliner together and watch TV.
2. My dog's fur in clumps on the carpet (no longer a problem after her close shave on Monday).
3. My wife's soft and smooth skin, highlighted by the sliver of moonlight that makes its way through the shades, while we make gentle love in the night.
4. The way my wife, my son and even the dog and I combine to create a rich family life.
5. Hinges that creak when used, like the ones on the front door, the ones on my antique wardrobe in the bedroom, and the beleagured garage door as it is pushed overhead.
6. The heavenly smell of fresh pizza cooking.
7. Carpet squishing between my toes.
8. Letting laughter pervade my soul.
9. Feeling warm sunlight on the top of my head.
10. Shoveling mulch, smelling the woodsy odor, and sweating through hard work.
It's when we take texture for granted, or discount it as a way to make our lives better, that it doesn't matter. I'd urge you to take a look around your life, the objects, people, scents, sights you encounter every day. Don't take them for granted. In fact, optimize those everyday things to enhance your experience. Maybe there are some things that aren't worthwhile; in that case, your texture can be improved through careful selection. Breathe deeply and let the texture fill your lungs. Open your eyes – literally and figuratively – to the textures around you.
Or not, whatever. At least (for my fellow Americans), we can have a Happy Tax Day! Especially if you filed weeks ago and are expecting a refund. That's another texture I enjoy!
wow. i don't think i'll ever look at an egg the same way.
I find aromas are for me, like textures are for you.... hmmmmm I think I have a post for my blog.
I agree that we all need to live in the moment more; forget about the past and don't worry about the future. Mmm..scrambled eggs...
Your list made me all teary-eyed last night. Damn you.
I honestly try very hard to notice the "small things"...they always end up being my "big" things.
-Taking the time to make a phone call to my sister, the new Mom..make her laugh, make sure she's knows that she's loved so very much
-getting out of my car, walking to the street ahead, getting out my camera, taking pictures of all the beautiful cherry blossom trees, even when i'm tired, even when cars are waiting to go by...then stopping and really looking at their beauty
-smiling back at the woman whose husband just pushed me out of the way, noticing that she's probably been apologizing with her eyes for years
-taking the time to wipe the dust off my Grandma's picture...remembering her
-good hair days
-blogs that make me smile and realize that we're all very far away, yet so close
Have a wonderful weekend, T.