THE HEALING POWER OF FOOD
I often see my friends in the Moebius Syndrome/physical difference community on Facebook talking about their favorite things; and that often includes food.  So many of have favorite foods, enjoy cooking, enjoy sitting around a good meal...and so, given that, I bet many of you will enjoy reading--and agree--with this:
"My friend John Egerton told me once that sometimes when people have lost a loved one or are in despair all you can do is take them a bowl of potato salad and tell them you’re sorry.
He went on to say, emphatically, that there is great power in that sort of action. John spoke specifically about Southern foodways at that moment, but there was a universal truth in his message. I know from personal experience on the receiving end that is true and it is even more powerful when that compassion is delivered in numbers.

Tragedy has the ability to suffocate us. Like the song says, “Death don’t have no mercy.” Once the grip of devastation gets a hold of us as individuals or as communities it is almost impossible for one individual to pull themselves out of that grip. It is in those times of human frailty that we realize that tragedy strips us of all nutrition. We become devoid of all things that give fertility to our lives in a physical, emotional, or spiritual sense. These are the times when we truly need our community, but they are also the times when we need to understand how we can contribute to our community.
Community is an interesting thing in the sense that as humans, we depend on it to provide a certain sense of our well-being, yet at the same time we struggle to define or reinvent our place in it. Given the opportunity to look at our place and function in our community, people have the chance to see their value because what a community is really composed of is relationships.
In difficult times and when tragedies befall us, it is most important as individuals to reflect on what our relationship is to our community and to fulfill that role by whatever means we have at our disposal. The culinary community has a unique opportunity at those times to be on the front line of trying to help revive and nourish people in need. Food can very quickly comfort and console people and help give them a little strength to start rebuilding or recovering from what has hurt them.
As a cooks and restaurateurs, my partners and I...have found ourselves in the position to recently reflect on this very topic when tornados devastated our home state of Alabama. You feel an immediate sense of helplessness when you see mass amounts of acquaintances, friends, and neighbors suddenly stripped of everything. If you are lucky, that helplessness gives way to an involuntary reaction where you just try to do what you know in order to help ease the burden if even just a little bit.
Being in the restaurant business our reaction was to start feeding people. We loaded up our rigs and cooked because that’s what we know how to do. We shared plates of food and handed them out to people who knew how to give medical care, or bring order to chaotic situations, to those who were clearing electrical lines, organizing shelters, and so on. Even more importantly, meals were offered to the people who lost everything. It’s what we know how to do, so that’s why we did it.
Did those meals solve people’s long term problems? No. But the meals eaten around makeshift tables provided a place for everyone to come together and established time for some to begin shoring themselves up to move forward.
It was encouraging to see people use their skills to do what they know; the net result is most important to the community and it is what is most impactful in times of hardship and tragedy. As a cook, it might be thoughtful to try and rebuild someone’s home, but it probably wouldn’t be very helpful if you don’t know anything about home building.
This past spring Egerton’s wisdom pointed us in the right direction. We knew we could offer some potato salad to someone who was in need or hurting and let them know we were sorry for their loss. Food is important and powerful, it helps us remember our place or maybe even redefine our place when that’s what we need the most."

And now, on to...

 FRIDAY FOOTBALL PICKS!!
Last week I was only 5-9.  Time to do better!

COLLEGE PICKS

Nebraska at Michigan.  MY PICK:  WOLVERINES.  Michigan is developing a defense; their running game is improved; they are at home.  They don't yet have a big signature win for the year over a touted opponent; this may be their time.

Penn State at Ohio State.  MY PICK:  NITTANY LIONS.  We all know the storyline you expect to see here; a beleaguered Penn State team, fresh off a loss at home and all the controversy over Coach Paterno, now has to go on the road and play on OSU team that's tough in the Horseshoe.  But I dunno...I have a feeling PSU will rally around itself again and find a way to win this one, using its still-tough defense to slow down Buckeye QB Braxton Miller.

NFL PICKS

Tennessee at Atlanta.  LINE:  Falcons by 6.  MY PICK:  TITANS.  Both teams feature the run.  It tends to run clock, limit possessions, and lead to closer games.  The Titans seemed to get some mojo back last week.  The Falcons had a very tough loss.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Falcons eke out a win here; but in a very close game.  6 points is too much.

Buffalo at Miami.  LINE:  Dolphins by 2.  MY PICK:  BILLS.  Yes, Buffalo has struggled recently.  But I'm not ready to jump off the Bills' bandwagon yet.  Look for Ryan Fitzpatrick and co. to rally.

Cincinnati at Baltimore.  LINE:  Ravens by 7.  MY PICK:  BENGALS.  I suspect the Ravens will pull this one out late.  But 7 points seems too much to me, given the inconsistency of Joe Flacco and the Ravens' offense, and the improved play of the Bengals this season.  They lost to Pittsburgh last week, but were right in that game to the end.

Jacksonville at Cleveland.  LINE:  Browns by 1.  MY PICK:  BROWNS.  But who really knows?  It's the battle of the weak; two teams with struggling, inconsistent offenses.  But the Browns are at home in the cold weather...

Oakland at Minnesota.  LINE:  Raiders by 1.  MY PICK:  RAIDERS.  The Vikings come off a bad Monday night loss.  Perhaps Carson Palmer is rounding into form for the Raiders, meanwhile...

Carolina at Detroit.  LINE:  Lions by 7.  MY PICK:  LIONS.  The Lions need a feel-good win badly.  I suspect they can get it, with Calvin Johnson doing his thing against a weak Carolina defense.

Tampa Bay at Green Bay.  LINE:  Packers by 14.  MY PICK;  PACKERS.  How can you not?  The odds would seem to be that the Pack and Aaron Rodgers can't just roll over everyone forever.  But, when there's no sign of slowing down, and given the problems the Bucs have had, it's silly to pick against the Pack.  And don't forget Tampa's historically difficult time winning at Lambeau in cold weather.

Dallas at Washington.  LINE:  Cowboys by 7.5.  MY PICK:  COWBOYS.  Yes, yes, the Redskins have a good defense and have traditionally played the Cowboys tough.  But--this looks like two teams going in opposite directions.  The Redskins' offense has mightily struggled.  Tony Romo is playing well.  Gotta go with the Cowboys.

Arizona at San Francisco.  LINE:  49ers by 9.5.  MY PICK:  NINERS.  Yes, here's another example of a possible trap game.  But the 49ers have played so solidly that it's impossible to against them, especially at home against a Cardinals' team likely to have to again start John Skelton at QB.

Seattle at St. Louis.  LINE:  Rams by 3.  MY PICK:  SEAHAWKS.  Peter Carroll's team played very tough last week in their win over the Ravens; I suspect they'll keep the momentum going.

San Diego at Chicago.  LINE:  Bears by 3.5.  MY PICK:  BEARS.  Again, two teams going in opposite directions; Philip Rivers has played very poorly for the Chargers, while the Bears have won 4 in a row.  Yes, traditionally November is when the Chargers get it going.  But they've no inclination of doing so, while the Bears are playing very well.  Again--hard therefore to go against the Bears.

Philadelphia at NY Giants.  LINE:  Giants by 5.5.  MY PICK:  GIANTS.  The Eagles' problems are well-documented.  Plus, Michael Vick may not play; even if he does, he's banged up.  Eli Manning, even in last weeks' loss, has played well.  The Giants as a team are just better.

Kansas City at New England.  LINE:  Patriots by 15.  MY PICK:  PATRIOTS.  15 is a lot of points.  But--Matt Cassel for KC is out.  The Pats seemed to be big mojo back last Sunday night against the Jets.  With Tom Brady humming again, the New England offense can easily cover this many points.

"Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head
down and plow ahead." -Les Brown