Meatloaf as lunch choice.

Food. We take it so much for granted here in this country that we eat ourselves sick. Most of us have conversations about how we eat, the lower quality of food "nowadays," how most fast food is crap, etc. etc. We used to talk about the weather to pass the time; now we talk about food. We take it pretty seriously.

Except my son, who has way too much to quip about regarding food. This is the kid who first reviewed my pot roast at a tender young age, by sneaking (he thought) to the bathroom and spitting a well-chewed piece into the toilet, declaring that it wasn't fit for people or dogs to eat. Actually, the rest of us thought it was quite good, but then kids don't really "taste"; it's all about texture.

This is the same child who has always loved beets (most kids think they taste like dirt and look like bloody turnips), and simultaneously lusts after a well-appointed cheeseburger. The kid who can open his mouth and share a glimpse of chewed food to the complete disgust of his sister, yet reminds his mother, the Queen, whenever I attempt to utter a word with crumbs in my mouth. "You taught ME better than that, Mom," he'll condescendingly say. "Don't talk with your mouth full!"

The other day we were discussing a meal that he and his dad had at the local pub. Fridays are home-cooked-meal day there, and the owner's mom cooks great stuff. One day it was BBQ ribs, baby red potatoes with butter, vegies, and carrot cake for dessert. Not at all bad for $6! Most Friday patrons make that lunch the focus of the entire day, and the journey to the pub like Islamic pilgrims to Mecca. It's a solemn event, this Friday noon lunch at the bar on main street.

But on a recent Friday, my son and husband came away with their faith shaken. The discussion the rest of the day, and into the evening, was about how disappointed they were in the lunch that day.

"It was just meatloaf," my husband said. "I wouldn't have gone if I'd known it was just meatloaf."

My son piped in with "Yeah, I couldn't quite handle that. I just woke up 30 minutes earlier--how could I eat meatloaf?!"

I couldn't understand this blasphemy! I love meatloaf and make it with gusto -- and a lot of onions and fresh garlic! My family always liked it, too, or so I thought until that Friday.

"What are you guys whining about?!" I asked, surprised. "I thought you loved meatloaf. I know it's not steak, but you always liked it!"

"Well, I like it okay," said my husband. "I just wouldn't drive all the way (8 miles, tops!) over there for it; I wouldn't have gone if I'd known it was meatloaf." A repeat of this statement meant he was serious.

My son said, "That's why I had chicken strips." Yuck. Breaded, deep fried, strips of processed chicken from the freezer. Dipped in BBQ sauce.

"And that was better "breakfast" food than meatloaf, mashed potatoes and fresh corn?!" I demanded.

"Yes, of course," my son said. "After all, meatloaf is just baled leftovers!"

Good grief, how can you argue with such obvious logic?!!