The last time I can remember being at home just watching TV was hurricane day. The anniversary of Katrina. When Ellen was too much - the tears were more than I could handle - I flipped to Oprah. It was late summer, August, and she and Gail were debuting their road trip. Now here I am several months later, home again, and it is part two and three of the road trip. Are the TV gods telling me something? Road trip? Girl time? Get out and see America? I am never home at 4. I always wonder about signs like that. Road signs if you will. Some kind of sign that I can figure out later. Maybe when I get some more signs or clarity. Because at least she appeared to have a true real time out on the highway. Her and Gail in love with the moment. God they are not gay - they are just true to life best friends dealing with the ups and downs holding hands and smiling all the way. They just seemed happy.
Now it is time for Ina. I am not sure why she is the Barefoot Contessa. She is one of my favorites. Magoo and I also love the decadence of Paula and her obsession with butter. But Ina is so soft spoken and always has a ton of references to our traditional Jewish foods, she could be my mom or my best friend. But what about her is Contessa like? Or barefoot for that matter? She is Martha Stewart-esque, minus the annoying over achieving aspects. Martha's attitude makes me feel bad about myself. That I don't own actual linens and that I don't iron them. Or even have a proper room for them. But who the hell really does? I doubt Ina does. She seems real and always in love with her friends. Martha has no friends. At least no real ones. But Ina seems to possess an Oprah/Gail ability to be happy and in love with her friends in the moment. It seems genuine. Martha is just a plain mean girl and we know what I think about that.
I continue by breaking up teeny-tiny pieces of bread to shove into my mouth. A snack. Uh yeah whatever. My co-workers are on the cleanse diet and in a sad way I am too. I know that the adage that if you chew your food slowly and in small portions you will become fuller. I know it because it happens to me. Three bites of oatmeal and I am done. I've gotta be down a few. I turn back to my TV lady friends and notice that they consume and enjoy. No cleansing diets for them. They love their food, both dedicating their shows to it. Well all three, lets throw Paula in there too; she is gentile, kind, funny and welcoming. And they all have shows. How 'bout that? They are warm, smiley, and successful. Open about the whole thing. But they hold onto those extra lbs - lovingly almost. Like old friends who just don't care. So I stop worrying. When my ability to chew is back I will enjoy the hell outta a burger. Surrounded by my friends. Maybe this attitude will give me my own show. Probably not, but at least it will make me smile and happy and I can embrace them, hold their hands, and laugh. That may mean we are gay but it does not make us gay. It just makes us happy.
Labels: Everyday Life, Perspective
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JustRun said:
Ah, I still remember the first time I watched Paula. Some sort of oven fried potato recipe- I still make my own version of them today and care not a thing about cleansing diets when I eat them. :) There's nothing like hanging out with good girlfriends who don't care about the size of your hips, either.
P.S. They're not doing the lemonade diet, are they? I read about that a few weeks ago and it scares the heck out of me!- 9:41 AM
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anne said:
Yeah they are - it is so scary. They have to use the restroom every 10 minutes and let's just say they are not the friendliest - given that they have not eaten!
- 6:03 AM
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said:
Have you watched any of the chefography marathon this weekend? Ina's was pretty good, though she's not one of my favorites. Nigella, Paula, and Ol' Bobby Flay though, WOW you need to watch!
- 6:26 PM
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anne said:
Oh yeah we have been watching them - I am so impressed with Bobby Flay - no college and all.
- 8:22 PM
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JustRun said:
Ugh, really? Do they know what that does to their bodies? And their breath? Wow, more dedication than I'll ever have.
- 5:45 AM
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Natalie said:
Just being comfortable in your own body does wonders for how people perceive you. If you are constantly on crazy diets, you give the impression that you are horribly insecure. If you are like the ladies on the food shows that show they take joy in cooking, eating and living life you are more likely to be admired regardless of hip size. I don't know where I was gong with that. Hope you are feeling better!
- 7:20 AM
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Bre said:
Oh, Martha. She frustrates me because her recipes and ideas really aren't all that brilliant... she just capitalized on them the right way at the right time!
- 11:32 AM
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anne said:
MB - I think you hit it on the head. Why spend all that time wasted on that and be unhappy?
- 3:31 PM
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megabrooke said:
i love the food network!
there is nothing like good friends, and even better sharing good food and wine together.
hope you're on the mend, eating more than just bites of bread by now!- 1:39 PM
