Marcy is a wonderful cook. She subscribes to cooking magazines,  makes notes while she watches The Food Channel and relentlessly researches recipes. I’m skittish in the kitchen. I try to stay out of her way and reap the bounty of her efforts.  But with Thanksgiving approaching I began to feel the building of my usual late November trepidation.

You see, we usually “do” Thanksgiving in our home. In terms of numbers, it’s a modest affair - usually 10-15 people, but typically as the holiday approaches Marcy shifts into battle mode.
She approaches Thanksgiving with the zeal of Patton preparing his North African campaign against Rommel.  Assignments are given. Menus are crafted. Menus are modified.  Markets are scoured.  Enormous quantities of food are unloaded and stored. While I missed out on military service, I’ve often felt that our kitchen was transformed into a command post.

This year, blessedly, has been different. Several days before the holiday we saw a documentary called “How to Cook Your Life.” It features Edward Espe Brown, (author of The Tassajara Bread Book), an expert chef and a Buddhist. Brown brings a devilish sense of humor to the kitchen and promotes the concept of “the joyful chef.” Work on one task at a time, focus on the moment and have fun.

Well, it worked! Marcy took Brown’s words to heart. She was more relaxed, less frantic and seemed, well, “joyful.”  I, in turn, had something else to be thankful for. In addition to family, friends and good health, our kitchen no longer resembled a battle zone. My stint in the military had ended. My discharge papers had arrived. Our kitchen has been full of warmth and good cheer and has truly become joyful.

Happy Thanksgiving.