Thursday 29 December 2011

Thankful Thursday

I'm struggling this evening.  It's not that I haven't got lots and lots of things for which to be thankful it's just a question of trying to get my brain to organise itself.  

I've just been reading Fiona's blog post on fine dining in Christchurch.  It made me think about food and the ability to enjoy it.  I really enjoy my food.  However Fiona's post made me re-visit the senses through which I achieve that enjoyment.  Many years ago I lost my sense of taste after a bout of 'flu.  The ability to taste returned in part and then in 1999 I had another bout of 'flu and lost it again.  Again it returned in part but there are now many things which I can neither smell nor taste.  The strange thing is that it doesn't stop me enjoying my food and I wondered why.  

I enjoy my food very well flavoured with spices and herbs and I enjoy savoury things (like Marmite!) which are more in my taste spectrum.  I cannot, for example, differentiate the taste of a raspberry from a blackberry.  I can taste wine (which is probably one reason I enjoy it!) and certain things like Heinz salad cream (but not mayonaise).  However you'll be glad to know that I'm not about to give you a comprehensive list.  For the most part, though, I rely on appearance and texture to supply my enjoyment of food.  That's how I differentiate the raspberry from the blackberry.  

So today I am thankful, not for the first time on a TT post, for the fact that I have food on my table.  In addition I am thankful for the fact that I can enjoy that food. 


6 comments:

  1. It seems quite in line with your talent for the Glad Game that you have found ways to enjoy your food even after losing part of your sense of taste!

    Considering this, though, it surprises me a little that you prefer your tea weak!

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  2. You are quite right - texture and looks are important parts of the experience - imagine living on liquids.

    I am really quite impressed that we are able to have such fine dining round here.... so many places have gone. It was a perfect evening.
    Tonight we had the aurora in the southern skies, and another earthquake. Only a 4.3 but a good wobble out to sea.

    Today I sat with my friend and her family at the hospice as her mother died. Later, totally drained, I went to spend the evening with my own parents. Thankful probably doesn't really capture sufficiently how I feel to have them both here with me in the city. I continue to savour the privilege daily.

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  3. Interesting point about the tea, Monica.

    That must have been an emotional roller coaster of a day for you Fiona. I hope that the next year is a much more stable one for you in every way!

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  4. To be honest GB, I doubt it! I see more turbulence ahead. but am learning to appreciate the small stuff and mentally prepare for te rest. Pretending to anyway.

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  5. can relate to this Graham as you know my taste buds are much the same, strange though that we can taste some things but not others. I too rely on texture and presentation.

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  6. can relate to this Graham as you know my taste buds are much the same, strange though that we can taste some things but not others. I too rely on texture and presentation.

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