Lowly Potato

In the grocery store and in the kitchen is an overabundance of options.

But there in the midst of the boxes, cans, frozen items and more is the lowly potato.

For me this is a very humble item on the menu of possibilities.

It does not look flashy.

It does not over promise then under deliver.

It just sits and waits patiently.

In the hands of a loving mother or trained chef the potato becomes special.

As a single man that has lived alone for decades it had been a staple.

I liked to cut it up, boil it until soft and make mashed potatoes with the skins on.

Then I add some salad dressing and tuna or chicken.

Suddenly I have the lazy cook’s casserole.

All during the day and night I would much on it.

It was filling and tasty.

That was a big part of my diet for decades.

Then I moved in with some housemates.

I have not done that for a long time and I am not sure why.

Maybe it is because one of the housemates loves to cook.

Maybe it is because there are frozen dinner packages with pretty pictures.

Maybe it is because there I have found some instant potatoes that are acceptable.

Recently I noticed the bin with the lowly potatoes just patiently waiting.

They were not shouting at me or even whispering.

They just silently waited.