It’s been just over three months since I have been a “single”. To my estimation that would be covering quite a few Tuesday Foodie Posts. I’ll admit I am not contributing much of anything, but on occasion I will whip up something I have seen on OS.
Most of the time though I find it hard to eat at home alone. This is about the only time I turn on television anymore, just for the sound of people talking. The sad thing is, they seem to be talking about weird stuff, bad news everywhere. I suppose it is for that reason I find myself at a table for one at some restaurant more often than not. I don’t mind, as a writer I often hear snippets of conversations I’ll appropriate down the line. You really do get to hear some fun stuff.
Lately, I’ve taken to documenting my meals by cartooning them. Not all meals are cartoon-worthy, but I think some are natural settings with what is going on in my life. I find I often build a theme into the pictures. Lately I am incorporating the whole eating out experience into a portrait of a home, meal or feelings about my life. I’ve also been drawing individual works on greeting cards, sending them to the person who was kind enough to invite me over. I hope they mean as much to them...that they will see bits and pieces of themselves as noted by me in some of the details.
I’d like to share a few with you, as they not only reflect eating, but other things in my life...happy things mostly. They seem to be expressed in layers, adding to each picture like a pinch of salt as I go along.
For instance, on Sunday night a wonderful woman friend invited me over to have a steak dinner, “Nothing fancy,” she said, “...just wear your sweats.” Her home is so lovely and invitingly warm. I could never begin to adequately do her house justice, but after a wonderful dinner and a great bottle of Merlot we were captivated by a PBS fundraising effort, Pavarotti and Friends. When I got home, I found myself wanting to draw, and here was my initial sketch to honor her wine and the television offering....
After her party there was this photo of Cary and her incredible cake posted by a FB friend.
Of course how could I let my Thanksgiving go undocumented? It was the first alone in over three decades...(I actually ate out at a coffee shop, a delicious, and complete turkey dinner...so I still got to have my turkey without the mess, and as it turned out, not a mess to clean up either!) But my heart was at home.
The Holiday Season wouldn’t be complete if there were no Holiday Parties would they? I was invited to one over Thanksgiving Weekend...and I decided my food offering would be baking cookies I had always made with the family. I invited someone to come make them, but at the last moment they couldn’t make it. So I spent the morning baking my Candy Cane cookies, rolling snakes of red and white dough and twisting all 48 of them by hand, with love.
Then of course you need to sample one...
Now they are all ready to go to the lucky guests of the party, imperfect like me, but full of love!
All that was left to do is to draw the Holiday Card to commemorate the festive evening ahead!
In closing this piece I would like to wish everyone on OS ....
*I will be taking a much needed vacation beginning next week...but you can count on me blogging and/or drawing my way through to the New Year here, as I begin a new phase of my new life. See you from....well, you will just have to wait!
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Rated
Thank you.
And as for this new phase in your life (You're allowed to just change course? I did NOT know this!) well, may you always walk in sunshine from now on.
godspeed
I love your drawings--they are so unique--just like you.
I look forward to seeing how the rest of the year goes for you!
Happy Holidays Sheila!
xoxoxo,
R
I guess some folks don't like eating alone. After College, single and dating, I ate many meals alone. I more often than not cooked, had several good teacher, Grand parents, parents, Aunts Uncles. Lot's of chefs in our family. I use to love eating breakfasts and lunches alone in restaurants, but when alone for dinner I preferred eating at home most of the time.
I wish you a Happy Holiday. {{{{MANY HUGS}}}
Very enjoyable post.. Congrats on the EP.
Happy Holidays, Sheila, and many thanks for sharing this space with all of us. You are a sweet gentle soul.
Now I expect a full report when you return. :-D
And also, please document them (well, those that can be shared) with your perky, lovin' life, sweet character. Her nose in the air delights me and provokes a giggle with every rendering. Bon Voyage on your vacation and your new life-phase. Huge Hugs!
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Read the book "Live Your Own Life" by Harriet Labarre. It's out of print (originally published in 1972), but you can find it at www.alibris.com, the only website if you love to read.
Ms Labarre writes it from your perspective: as someone newly alone, by whatever device, who has to re-learn thinking as "me" rather than "we." Actually, it's a good read for anyone who needs to do likewise. That book changed my life. Probably the single best reason for living a successful life alone is to make plans--for everything.
Years ago, when I was freshly single after 16 abusive years, I literally wrote down a schedule for every moment of the weekend, right down to my social life. Now, nearly 20 yrs later, I still do--and now I rarely find myself whining about "being all alone." There's literally no time--or energy--to be lonely.
You found your way once; you'll do it again. Just give yourself the proper time to grieve, then move forward. Your inner voice will tell you when it's time to stop one thing and do the next.
And anyone who would be lucky enough to receive an original should consider his/herself blessed by a generous and thoughtful artistic spirit.
I look forward to your edifying seafaring dispatches.
It takes a while to get used to it, but I actually prefer eating alone most of the time now. Admittedly that did not happen overnight. The big secret to eating alone comfortably in restaurants is to always bring along a book or periodical.
Eating at home has become somewhat interesting. I invested in a freezer so I always have a nice selection of homemade soups and main dishes. I usually don't sit down and eat a complete meal. Instead, I tend to eat what sounds good at any given time. I might eat a salad, a while later I might want some vegetables or fruit, then I might eat some protein. I eat complete meals over the course of a day, but not all at one time.
My best to you. You are embarking on a new adventure. I have discovered I enjoy living alone as long as I have lots of good companionship outside my home.
Rated
Enjoy your holiday Sheila!
Happiness and some good company for you this holiday! xo
littlewillie--I’ve now been going to a small, new Italian place where they know me, it really helps!
C.K.Dexter--Thank you! They make me smile too.
Ablonde--I may still take a trip your way come spring...so if I can have a raincheck? Would love to do one for you.
OEsheepdog--Thanks!
angus mccflop--What a wonderful thing to say, thank you! The new phase is as a single traveler venturing into the New Year! And yep, I think you can just switch focus if you want to. Not easy, but necessary. Thank you!
Spotted_mind--Thank you doll...we singles have to do what we can to get by!
Stim--Thanks so much! I will.
John--Thank you. To be honest I don’t know or care at the moment. I know, terrible of me but I just enjoy doing it. No pressure, I have a vacation to work it out..or not.
Deborah--Hope to see you in the spring! Thank you for keeping up.
Susanmihalic--Thank you! I usually just forge ahead and try to make it all an adventure! Great to see you here!
Professor--It was a lemon cake and a chocolate with raspberry filling two-layer. The icing was not flavored, just colored...wonderful! I mix it up, eating out sometimes at favorite spots, or now trying to cook now and then. I really don’t mind. Thanks!
Fireeyes24--Thanks so much! I’ll take all the hugs available! Glad you enjoy them!
GJIPenguin--Thanks, I did get to eat a few at the party and they were yummy! Glad the art is fun for you, this pleases me.
Bill S--I’ll just say you have already blazed the trail for part of it! I’ll be posting while away...sharing in my own way since someone here (ahem) has posted such great photos already! Thank you...see you here soon!
Nikki Stern--The change is already happening...the lifting of my soul and the living my life as I deem it. Very liberating and I suspect full of wonders I don’t even know about yet.
Mothership--I’ll share with my friends...I can’t imagine not! Glad my character is tickling your funnybone. Hugs right back at you!
Elsma03--Thank you for the book recommendation. I bought a Kindle, so perhaps I’ll see if I can download it. It’s quite the process, but I really am finding it an adventure...frought with missteps and possibilities! I have been a list maker for awhile, so it is nothing new. I do find I don’t like making long range plans yet, but I suspect when I need to I will. Thanks again!
Lunchlady2--If it were not for OS and my friends who have stepped up in my town, I realize I’d be much worse off. I’m very grateful for all of you! Thanks, you will know about my adventures as I do!
Harvey--Thank you so much!
bobbot--I always appreciate you coming by...and I thought you’d had enough sea days!
Trilogy--Thank you! I’d love a meal with you. I understand the sad bit, it will always be there in perspective. The living need to live.
Skip--Oh no doubt my character will be having the time of her life...and she will share it. Thank you for your generous, support of my art. You have helped me tremendously.
Chuck--Oh I will, and thank you for always being there to support your friends and I know I am one!
Gwendolyn--Thank you very much!
Susan--Thanks, I wish the best to you also!
Jane Hughs--Thank you! I find I eat at home usually like you, and it is just fine. I actually enjoy the bits of time I get alone when I’m home.
Sunday Reader--Oh I am open...just not overly eager!
Boanergesi1--Always a pleasure to have you come by. Take care my friend.
iamsurly--Ok, maybe I will draw one of them...she is not afraid to eat anything I’ve noticed. Thanks!
dalriadane--Love your red hair! Our town doesn’t allow “franchise” food, but I would love some KFC once and awhile. My two dogs eat with me too...sometimes they get more.
HellsBells--Thank you for the compliment. Yes, I do find sometimes I can’t express with words just the right sentiment.
O’Really--Thanks...wow, O’Really was here...:THUD: Okay, I promise to have a good trip now.
Cathy--Thanks so much! I will have a great time no matter what...I turn negatives into positives, works for me! Hugs this holiday!
What I hated was all of the people trying to 'be helpful' and 'have dinners' and 'outings' and trying to have me not 'be so lonely'...
With such well meaning friends, it's hard to tell them to bugger off... Sometimes you need to be alone and process things, and sometimes you need to not be alone and escape and cling to them... It is the quality of the friend that makes the difference...
May you find your friends friendly and not overly helpful... Peace!
Once I rode up with a couple, twice, and they were so damn cute. The tears froze to my cheeks...
Happy Holidays to you and have a wonderful vacation.
Rated.
Have a great trip!
I'd buy your cards anywhere.
Have a wonderful cruise and that much needed break. Come back to us with great stories, as only you can.