10) Food for Thought

One sunny afternoon, Summer dropped in on her friend Walker Bugh, to return the DVD she borrowed of Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story. She plopped it on the kitchen table where Walker was typing away on her laptop.

"Thanks, but no thanks," said Summer pulling out a chair. "How the Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman ever made No. 6 on the one hundred best novels to read is beyond me. I didn't finish reading the book and I barely finished watching the movie. That's one classic I'm crossing off my reading "bucket" list."

"So, you are not a fan of Laurence Sterne's work, I take it. How about looking at mine? I just finished the prologue to my novel, The Will of Sarah Krager. It's printing as we speak."

"Sure," said Summer, "but what's that delicious smell?"

"I made my special Gumbo. It's my food for thought. Why don't you dish some out for the both of us while I grab those papers from the printer?"

When Walker returned, Summer was smiling. "This is yummy."

Walker just sat down when a white panel van pulled into her driveway. "Looks like a damn salesman. I'll get rid of him. Where's that mutt, Rude Dude, when you need him?"

But the next thing Summer knew, Walker and a young man was standing together at the kitchen counter, studying a pamphlet.

"It's the best beef around. I personally guarantee it."

"But I don't eat much beef," said Walker. "I have a half full freezer filled with buffalo out in my garage."

++ "Buffalo!" exclaimed the man. "You are a woman close to my heart. I love buffalo. And I got the next best thing. Look at my Seafood Package. All fresh, quickly frozen and wrapped to perfection." He glanced down at the other end of the counter. "What is that fabulous smell?"

The young fellow peeked through the clear lid on the Ninja cooker. Before Walker could answer he said, "I can't resist a good cook. I'm going to throw in my Chicken Breast Package for free. All fresh and marinated in different tempting flavors, quickly frozen and wrapped to perfection. All for an even $300.00 dollars. I'll even load it in your freezer."

"Would you like to stay for lunch?" asked Walker. "I could use a male perspective on my romance story."

"Walker!" cried Summer.

The salesman laughed and gave Summer a wink. "I would love to, but my boss is hot on my behind to meet my quota for the day."

Twenty minutes later, Walker strolled in from the garage.

"Are you nuts?” said Summer. "You didn't know that guy from Adam. It's not like he drove a blaring Schwan truck. He could have been a serial killer."

"Relax," said Walker. "Now I got lots of food for thought."

"That's it," said Summer. "I'm finding you a date."

"Why? Because I bought a little meat?"

"No, because I don't want you to buy a vacuum cleaner."

"Summer, I don't have carpet."

"Exactly!"

Walker Bugh's Gumbo

2) T butter

1) chopped green bell pepper

1/2) cup chopped celery

1) chopped onion

1) garlic clove minced

16) ounces canned tomatoes with juice

2) cups chicken broth

1) cup frozen okra, thawed

1) bay leaf

1/2) t thyme

1/4) t red pepper

3) ounces uncooked long-grain rice

4) ounces chopped chicken breast

2) ounces sliced cooked kielbasa

12) medium peeled deveined shrimp

1. In large pan, melt butter. Add celery, onion, bell pepper and garlic; saute until soft. Add broth, tomatoes, okra, thyme, bay leaf and red pepper. Bring to boil, lower heat. Simmer, covered, 15 minutes.

2. Stir in rice and simmer, covered, 15 minutes longer. Add chicken, kielbasa, and shrimp; simmer, covered, 5 minutes longer or until chicken is not pink and rice is tender.

3. Remove bay leaf.

4. Enjoy!