Tuesday, November 9, 2010

an inability to coordinate my thoughts…says she

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Come here and chat with me, you can sit here on this uncomfortable chair that feels as though it will tip you over.  Little chairs are so inconveniently pretty, don’t you think?

Before I begin writing I should probably apologize…because I am kind of embarrassed for falling prey to a trend.  But I can’t hold it in any longer.

I love Julia Child.

I didn’t really love her before the whole Julie & Julia movie/blog bust. 

Years ago I only watched her when there was nothing else on, and I mean absolutely nothing else.  And now I feel bad about that.

I watched the movie the day it came out in theaters and I liked it.  Then I bought my daughter her cookbook for Christmas and I loved it.  Then I watched  a ton of old episodes of The French Chef and now I’m nearly done with her biography: My Life In France.  And I am forever changed.  I almost feel as though I can’t finish the book because I will miss her.  Does this happen to you?

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Outside of her obsession with cooking, she was smart and creative

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and had an incredible wit. 

Sometimes her words strike something emotional in me…whether it is how she sees herself, or her reflections of thoughts of her parents and politics but especially when I read of her getting adjusted to living life abroad. 

“Upon reflection, I decided I had three main weaknesses: I was confused (evidenced by a lack of facts, an inability to coordinate my thoughts, and an inability to verbalize my ideas); I had a lack of confidence, which caused me to back down from forcefully stated positions; and I was overly emotional at the expense of careful, “scientific” thought.  I was thirty-seven years old and still discovering who I was.”

Sometimes I exhaust myself with thinking.  But it is always unorganized thinking and pretty much never productive.  And that’s why I admire her because at 37 she had a thought and a whim and created something productive and fulfilling to herself. 

After watching the French Chef I learned that I would like to be a better cook.  I don’t want to buy my meat wrapped in styrofoam and plastic. 

Also I wanted large clear glass bowls. I looked everywhere and then gave up.  Then one day I went into Albertson’s (the one where I bought three cake mixes with mites in them and vowed never to go back)  and there were 4 quart glass bowls just like Julia’s for $4.99.

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I think they had been sitting on that shelf since the 1960’s.

It’s funny how you can spend so much time searching for something and it’s been right under your nose the whole time.

Thanks Julia for teaching me that  it’s okay to still be discovering who I am.

12 comments:

Prairie Rose said...

I grew up watching Julia's cooking shows on PBS.
I always loved her and her funny way of saying things.
I personally love that she was a Classy Gal, but somehow still down to earth.
I always took that to heart and thought "I would like to be like that too"
She was and still is a inspration to many and there is no shame in being obsessed with her Kate:)

Paula said...

I am so glad we are never to old to discover ourselves. I have several books that I dread the ending too. When that happens the book becomes a permanent part of my book collection so I can visit them again often.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I find my tastes changing all the time! And I actually did the same thing that you did...fell in love with her because of the movie! We even watched it again a couple of weeks ago! I still would love to get her cookbook! And now I think I need new bowls! heehee! Hugs! ♥

Unknown said...

I, too, hate for some stories to end. It's like leaving a good friend after a long, wonderful visit. I'm excited that I have in the last few years discovered that I'm not 'finished!'

Andi said...

Are you ready for my deeply emotional comment?

Well, it ain't coming from me! My only question is this: Is the bathtub photo real or doctored?

Juniper said...

Great post, and I think you have just nudged me towards the book I received for Christmas two years ago (My Life in France). I had been waiting to start something and your tribute to her did the trick. Thank you.
*Happy you found some nice glass bowls!

Leila said...

Oh! I am going to put that book on my wish list, because I am a Julia fan from the get-go. I keep forgetting about it.
If there had been blogging when I got married, I would have beaten Julie to it (so it's good there wasn't b/c she is a BAD person! and that blog has a lot to do with it!).
I learned to cook by going through Mastering the Art of French cooking! My husband can attest to the mountain of pots, pans, and utensils...that he had to wash...
She was really awesome.
Also, I love that she obviously was that gawky tall girl everyone laughed at in school (oh, I was so mean, and what did I ever do besides be short?). Yet, she had the last laugh!

priest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd said...

what beautiful bowls!

Isn't it nice sometimes to get exactly what you want?

i cant decide said...

I watched that movie and then added all of Julia Child's cookbooks to my paperback swap wish list. I need to check out some of her stuff from the library. I'm such a lazy cook, I'd probably make my poor children cook whatever I wanted to try making. I don't think they would like that. I really need to get my cooking groove back. I used to love cooking special dinners.

Shann said...

I am with you...I wish I had watched her more when she was alive. I loved Julie and Julia. My sister went to DC and saw her kitchen in the museum. I would love to see that someday. And, I like you and Julia, are still finding myself...at 43. :)

Unknown said...

That's it...I have been trying to pin down who you remind me of! No wonder you love Julia...you are so much like her! I love your wit and brains. You make me laugh and think and ponder and want to putter and create and dream...
Fondly thinking of you, and dear Julia.
I think she has her eye on your from heaven for sure!

I've been off at craft shows and puttering in my crafty happy room while raindrops pour outside. Eating apple pie and saying heck with the diet...live it up like Julia!
Smiles ~Jacqueline~

Leslie said...

I love this post. so many of us can relate. Julie's show was the best.
Happy monday