The Rigors of Self-Improvement

My kids are always suggesting some “self-improvement” activity for me. I don’t know why they can’t leave well enough alone. My son, Tom, recently suggested I enroll in Duolingo to learn French along with him and his family. I pampered him and signed up.

Then my daughter, Robin, said I should go back to the gym, exercising there regularly as I did before the COVID era. I’ve resisted this one, but promised her I’d reconsider.

Traveling and Tasting with Tucci

Just this week, son Russ, advocated for a TV series—Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. It’s a travel/food show, he said. This seemed like the most entertaining and less vigorous of all my family-suggested improvements, so I began the first of the 20 episodes.

I fell in love with the show! You might say it was a recommendation I could “get my teeth into.” I started with the Sicily segment and can hardly wait to follow up on the other Italian food regions. Stanley, an actor and film maker, is a low key, no nonsense kind of guy. He goes about his travels, tastings, and interviews like he’s doing a scientific study. I find his manner appealing and informative. Not at all like Guy Fieri, the goofy foodster of Diner, Drive Ins and Dives.

Stanley Tucci: “The Best Thing I Ever Ate!”

Russ also brought me a bowl of Stanley’s pesto pasta, that he and Deb made and greatly enjoyed. Then I found another Tucci recipe that I want them to try. It’s a zucchini based pasta called spaghetti alla Nerano. The recipe drew rave review from commenters on line. What’s more, Stanley called it “life-changing” . . .  “unbelievable,” “the best thing I ever ate!”

That got my attention. It’s next on my list to serve at the farm. I’ll report back.

Do You Have the Stomach for The Menu?

Another attempt to feed by culinary wanderlust, came from my doctor, who knows I’m a food blogger.

“Have you seen The Menu?” he asked.

When I looked perplexed, he said “You must see it!” Later, Russ said the same thing. My grandson, Andrew, agreed. All noted that the HBO film was a bit weird, yet required viewing for a food blogger or restaurants critic.

Another friend had seen the movie two and a half times. (He could only handle half of it the first time.) To ready me for the experience, Russ advised that I think of it as satire, which I did.

Now I’m convinced that the world is divided into two groups of people—those who’ve seen the film and those who couldn’t make it to the end. Even so I’ll never see a chef in quite the same way again.

After a Week of “You Shoulds”  

I’m glad so many family and friends are interested in my well-being, but it’s hard to keep up with all the good things they proposed for me to do recently. Hmm . . . I’m thinking it’s my turn to repay their favors with some of my suggestion for them. This should be fun. 🤗