Dear John

 

Dear John,

I'm sure you don't remember me, but boy do I ever remember you.

Long, long before there were blogs, there was you.

You with your special way of adding joy and beauty to each season of my life.

The way you shared the highlights of each season through recipes, photos and lists was something that I will never forget.

Lists like this:

  Thinking back to when I first met you there on the library shelf, I realize what a different world it is today.

Back then as a young mother I found a sense of peace among those library shelves.  Although I relished my role as a stay at home mom, the demands of child rearing, cooking, cleaning, carpooling, etc. sometimes found me needing a break from it all.

That's where you came in.  Although I'm sure you never knew that.

In those days there were times when an evening trip to the library was an especially indulgent time to find a little "me time".  I'd leave  bathtime to dad and recharge my parenting battery perusing the library shelves.  

Before there was Amazon I found a way to own a copy of Down Home.  Most likely it required a trip to the local book store.  I loved you so much I introduced you to my sister and she, too, came to love you.  Something about your Ohio farmboy roots and your love of life endeared you to us so much that we often talked about you and consulted your book for inspiration and advice.  

As the years went on, I added a few more of your books to my library.  Some purchased used from the internet.

Last week "The Holidays" appeared on the thrift store shelf.  Just seeing your name brought about the fluttering of my heart.

Glancing through the pages I realized the photos were really quite dated.  The copyright of 1986 (gulp)... the year my first baby was born, reminded me of how far we go back.  It made me a bit sad that someone had discarded you like that.  Fear not, you have a new home and a place of honor on my cookbook shelf.

All these years later I still find myself reaching for "Down Home".  Your lists and photos never fail to bring about an excitement for the current season.

Now that summer is near, I am reminded of the way you lit your gazebo with oil lamps on that sweltering evening so long ago.  There amongst the pretty garden flowers you served your guests a seasonal and refreshing menu.  You provided the recipes and tips needed to allow me to do the same thing should I choose to.

So much about this book reminds me of the way we share on our blogs.  I feel like you would be a great addition to blogland.

Yet, when doing a search for you now, I only find links to your books and a few old articles.  It's then that I have to remind myself how long it's been , how many years have past since I first became acquainted with you.  Perhaps now you are retired from writing cookbooks.  I really don't know.  But one thing I do know is that you will always hold a special place in my heart and your approach to enjoying the best of each season will continue to inspire me. 

 As a matter of fact, seeing your oil lamps lighting the summer night has once again reminded me to retrieve mine from storage and put them to good use this summer.  I do believe they add a touch of magic to those summer evenings.

In conclusion, I realize that it may seem a bit one sided this relationship we share.  But, truly that's alright with me because without ever meeting you face to face, you have added so much joy to my life.  Mostly in the small, day to day ways... you know the ones that matter most.

With warmest regards,

Kim

 

******

This week marked my seventh anniversary in the blog world.

As I look back over the years, I think that, just like my memories of John Hadamuscin, so much has changed with blogging since the early days.   Once in a while I stumble across an old post and see a comment from an old "friend" that at one time was such a vital part of my day to day blogging.  I wonder how they are now... I hope all is well with them and, to be honest, I miss them.  On the other hand, I accept that time marches on and things are constantly changing.  There seems to be a lot of discussion about just how much blogging has changed in the past few years.  While I can't speak for anyone else, I can say that it has been and continues to be an inspiring and enjoyable place to hang out.

Much like my "relationship" with John, I have never met any of you face to face either, but yet, I feel like I know many of you better than I know some of my face to face friends.  

You all have inspired me in more ways than I can count and I thank you for it.

Now, on to year 8!