The other day we were expecting some guys to come over and help on a project. Since it was starting in the morning, I made a thermos of tea and a double batch of waffles for them to enjoy before starting work. I was feeling fresh and prepared, ready for the first event of the day. This group of guys typically shows up hungry and demolishes anything set before them. Well, the time arrived and one guy showed up... with a snack in hand! And when we asked about the whereabouts of the others, we discovered they weren't coming. Oh well, the one guy ate what he needed, and the leftover waffles went into the freezer for our breakfasts.
The previous week I ran into a friend on the path who said he would drop by that afternoon to say hi. I let my husband know that his friend would be coming over, and we intentional stayed around the house in the late afternoon so we wouldn't miss him. He didn't show up that afternoon, but then came the next day in the evening, wanting dinner! How could I have been prepared for that? There's no real way, other than to be flexible.
But maybe I can learn a bit from the islanders who I visit. Sometimes I call ahead to be sure they're home, I tell them what time to expect me, and still they only go out to buy food to cook for me once I've actually arrived! Imagine arriving at someone's house to visit, and they chat with you for a few minutes, then send someone to go buy the ingredients for preparing a meal. Half an hour later the person returns and the cooking commences! Two hours after that, a meal is set before you. Good luck if you were only planning on staying for an hour!
Which is better, wasted time when visiting someone, as they prepare food after you arrive, or the potential of wasted food if your plans don't work out? For those whose income is low but time is more available, the choice is obvious. And for those of us who say "time is money"... well...
We end up with freezer waffles.
Comments
Post a Comment