Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author
of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, soul nourishing romantic women’s fiction
that honors pagan spiritual practices. My stories show you what life could be
like if you had a place like The Circle where you are unconditionally accepted,
supported and loved. And where, with this support, you do overcome obstacles and
find your happily-ever-after.
My first two posts here at
Romancing The Genres this year have been my serious look at our suggested
topics. This month I’m taking a different tack and staying on the light-side.
Well, after I set the stage
I do.
In the spring of 1993, I had
surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and the thyroid gland with which it had
become intimate. During that time I read a book(s) that waxed eloquently about
a yummy desert. I’d include the titles or at least the author’s name if I could
remember but...the description stuck with me...a Vision of Happiness (not my book though).
July 1993 I attended the
Annual William Glasser Institute International Conference held in New Orleans,
LA. I was not at my best as my recovery from the surgery was beset by
difficulties stabilizing my thyroid medication. In addition to attending the
Conference, I was hired to teach a Certification Week group.
Not up to par, the reality
was I tired easily.
So much to see and do in New
Orleans. However by the end of the day, especially after teaching a
Certification group, I was dragging. My roommate was my longtime friend and
associate also named Judith.
One night, instead of room
service or eating in the hotel restaurant, I mustered the energy and we ventured across the street from our hotel to a small eating establishment. What I
remember from that night twenty-seven or so years ago is this: a cozy room with
dim lighting, subdued voices, snowy white table linen and attentive male waiters
dressed in black with white aprons around their waists.
What did we order?
Food. And, I’m sure we had wine
because my friend loved a glass of wine with her dinner.
By now you must be wondering
why I’m nattering on about a conference, a restaurant and food I don’t remember.
Desserts.
Remember I’d been reading
about a yummy desert between cancer diagnosis and surgery. That yummy desert
was tiramisu. The characters in the book(s) thought it was
delicious, divine delectable. And, in looking over the dessert menu, there it
was. Tiramisu!
Without hesitation I
indulged my curiosity and ordered a piece…not even a piece to share but one
just for myself. I had to know if the eloquent description of this dessert was
true. Was it as delicious, divine and delectable as described?
 |
| Tiramisu |
As you can see, some of the
details of the restaurant, etc. are lost to me but not that first experience of
eating a piece of tiramisu. Since then I’ve had tiramisu
in different cities and restaurants and countries but I remember the pure
pleasure of eating that slice of heaven.
Teaching point: Dr. William
Glasser talked about a Quality World
made up of the most highly need satisfying experiences in our lives. Once we have that experience, we compare like experiences to it in an
effort to re-create the experience.
What you now know about me is
that first piece of tiramisu has never been replaced in my Quality
World by another although I’ve had a few good pieces of tiramisu
since then. Most notably would be Novak’s in Albany, OR.
What food or drink do you clearly
remember eating/drinking for the first time?
You can
find all of my books at your favorite e-book vendor. Be sure to ask your local
library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.
6 comments:
Creme Brulee in NYC on my first trip there in November 2002. I was there for my first board meeting as a member of the RWA National Board. I was eating dinner with another board member in the Hilton coffee shop.
What an interesting post--happiness, food, and choice theory. Somehow they all do go together.
When you mentioned the forgotten book title, it brought back a memory for me of reading a life changing book in 1998. It was called The Art of Happiness. Written by a Psychiatrist. I think Cutler was his name but don't quote me on it. Over many hours of conversation with the Dalai Lama the psychiatrist represented the current scientific perspective of mental health and human well-being, while the Dalai Lama represented the Buddhist understanding of the same issues.
It was so long ago, I don't know if they talked about food and happiness, but I wouldn't be surprised. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it because of your background in choice theory.
In any case, to answer your question about dessert, the first time I had true New York Cheesecake I remember every sensation of happiness and the feeling of having all my needs met with that taste. The consistency was perfect--substantial yet melts in the mouth. The taste was a combination of sweet and savory. When I closed my eyes it was a kind of caress that was warm and cool at the same time.
To this day, I see cheese cake as a form of experiencing happiness--not as comfort food but as an experience in itself. Like you, I've had cheese cake in a lot of different places and times. Has it ever matched that first experience? It does on occasion. However, like all things that brings one happiness, it is a combination of me being open to happiness matched with the ability of the pastry chef to use their skills to create it.
One assumes a good chef achieves happiness in the creation and therefore it is imbued with that long before it reaches me at the table. When it comes to the table, I have to be in a place where I can accept happiness offered as such a gift. That is when it all works together.
Barb, I was way into adulthood before I ever had Creme Brulee and I did like it. When I did desserts, I'd order it if there wasn't something a great pie (like chocolate cream) or eclairs or actually tiramisu).
Maggie, I have read "The Art of Happiness." I think I used to have it...don't know that I do right now though. Will look and see as it is well worth another read. Glasser talks about those moments that are most need fulfilling and they usually include more than one puzzle piece. My tiramisu was eaten while spending time with one of my very best friends in an elegant restaurant environment and while I didn't enjoy NO per se, I always enjoyed spending time with Bill and my other Glasser friends.
Ah, cheesecake. That would be right up there on my list of favorite desserts but I can't pinpoint a location or particular people to it. I like the more lemony flavored cheesecake with the graham cracker crust on the bottom. Or a plain with cherries. I never did like the flavored ones. The idea of pumpkin cheesecake is almost nauseating.
I also agree that when someone loves to cook for us, their love and happiness shows in the food. Deepak Chopra talks about a study wherein rabbits were fed an unhealthy diet. Most of the rabbits got sick but one group didn't. When the scientists tried to figure it out, they found that the research assistant always held and petted, cuddled the rabbits who did Not become sick. Our bodies do metabolize food differently depending on circumstances was his finding. I use that story in the first book of The Sacred Women's Circle "Lily" because it does resonate with me on many levels.
I was unwell and in the children's hospital when I had a peak meal experience. Sausages and cooked tomatoes and onion. It was divine. I've had that dish since but nothing lives up to that meal. I suspect it had something to do with being hungry and in need of comfort food. I happen to like Tiramisu very much as well.
Dora, I'm sure it did have more to do with being comforted than your being hungry. Most peak meal experiences are connected to the people with us, the place and what's going on around us. So glad you had something to comfort you at that time. Hospitals are not fun places to be at any age.
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