Dining Alone

"Solitary dinners ought to be avoided as much as possible, because solitude tends to produce thought, and thought tends to the suspension of the digestive powers. When, however, dining alone is necessary, the mind should be disposed of cheerfulness by a previous interval of relaxation from whatever has seriously occupied the attention, and by directing it to some agreeable object."

-Thomas Walker, 19th-century writer

OK, it's difficult to avoid dining alone lately as Dale has been on Madeline Island for the last 2 1/2 weeks and has about 3 1/2 left to go. The most recent events to occupy my mind have been a lower body workout at the gym followed by visits to Lunds and the former Ken & Norm's Liqours. I am now helping to make my mind cheery with a Bombay Sapphire martini. Kay Salter has said that "solitary dinners are inevitable and, far from being avoided, can be pleasant, providing you like your own company." I find myself to be mostly tolerable (and somewhat pleasant with a martini under my belt) so I'm going to try to make eating alone tonight an event.

When Dale and I are together, dinner is usually a joint venture. Except for our Golden or Silver Hours (basically a mid-week Golden Hour with less to drink and a part of a chocolate bar instead of a full dessert), meals are mostly low frills. Dinner is made together and eaten in front of the TV. Sometimes the entertainment is a show on HGTV. Sometimes its a reality show, Family Guy, a DVD, or what have you. In addition to sustenance, it is also equally important the event of preparing the meal separates the events of the day from winding down for the day.

Tonight's music is Trip Tease by Tipsy (just downloaded from iTunes) and the dinner will be a smoked salmon pizza from Jacques Pepin's most recent cookbook More Fast Food My Way.