THE SOUP THAT MATTERS

Wasted the entire day mostly in bed. Flu-ish. Achy. Cold. So altogether, write this one off. The chain of transmission probably runs directly from work, a coworker who was no longer quite symptomatic. If not, I probably passed it on myself before the fevered feeling had manifested itself. Food, today, is a bit iffy. I don't feel like cooking, and there is no restaurant conveniently nearby where I could get exactly what I want, which means that weak tea and perhaps a biscuit will be on the menu.

Exactly what I want is congee made with chicken stock and chicken shreds, with scallion and ginger strewn on top. Unfortunately this neighborhood caters mostly to younger generation white people who wouldn't know what that was if it came up and bit them in the rear.


Once upon a time I was a younger generation white person.
Okay?!?


Now I just want these kids to get off my imaginary lawn, and to take their cellphones and scooters with them. Just leave the to-go container by the door and scram. It's rather depressingly gloomy in here. and cold. The heater doesn't kick on till later.
And my arms and torso ache. Profoundly.

Congee is comfort food.

Chicken congee is chicken rice soup simmered and stirred till the rice grains are cloudy and falling apart, then shredded or cut chicken -- which may be from a roasted bird, or not -- are added, and then in this scenario chopped scallion and ginger over it. Maybe a drop of sesame oil. Decent stock is key. Hot, thereapeutic, simple.


Entirely unconnected to any of this, I'm looking at a tin of Chenet's Cake, by Cornell & Diehl. Which is a meaty Virginia and Perique blend I am quite keen to light up, probably in my older Peterson pipes. But I shan't open it till later in the week, when I've improved considerably.
It's been described as having an awful tin note, but a very good smoke.
Probably perfect for the icy weathere we're having.



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