Weather: 68 degrees, hundreds of frogs croaking
What I’m listening to: Landslide, Dixie Chicks version
Dear Readers,
Alaska from Scratch is in Hawaii. It got down to -25 the night I left Alaska and, when I stepped off the plane in Hawaii the next day, it was a blazing 80 degrees in January. I was born in Hawaii and my mother and brother have lived here for many years. But, before you get too excited, I must tell you that this is not a vacation; I am here because my mother has end-stage pancreatic cancer.
In times of crisis, I don’t stop cooking. I know it might seem strange, but cooking is one of the ways I show love. You could say it’s my love language. When I’m under a lot of stress, the kitchen often helps keep me sane, even if it’s someone else’s kitchen. It’s the way I take care of people, my tangible contribution to an otherwise intangible set of circumstances. In good times and in bad, we all need to be sustained and nourished. Food still needs to be made and consumed and dishes still need to be washed. And somewhere in all of this, you’ll find me pressing on – making memories, however bittersweet they may sometimes be.
So, I may be very far from Alaska – and very far from my home and my kids – but I’m still here and will post as often as I am able. In the meantime, I would love to hear from you and would welcome your comments and emails. And, I encourage you to take some time to cook something special for someone in your life today.
Thanks for listening,
Maya
