Sunday Morning Going Down

Sunday mornings have always felt so 'down home' for me.  There is something about pajamas on the warm, sunny floor, funny papers spread out and the smell of bacon frying that screams "HOME", eh? 

Growing up, my father slept late, his only late sleep all week.  He had a small business and kept long hours.  Momma would fix a big breakfast.  During the week, we had cereal or a pastry, a 'cold' breakfast, of sorts.  The big breakfast was always a treat.  Pancakes were really special.  Otherwise, it was eggs and grits and, either bacon or sausage.

When I went out and had a family of my own, Sundays remained the lazy, 'care for your soul' day.  Taking it easy, or, doing yard work, we were all together.  Our day always ended with a feast, usually of chicken, beans and rice, greens, corn bread, etc, all prepared, with pride, by my husband.  That man sure could cook!

On special occasions, when the whole family was together, we would have brunch.  Christmas and Thanksgiving were good days for this.  We all got together in the late morning, visited and pigged out.  Then, as family duties called, the afternoons were free to make one's own plans, dinner at the other in-laws or a trip out of town, perhaps.  We just had so many people with so many different plans, I took advantage of the morning hours to share our family time.

Our favorite breakfast fare was the main feature, other than gifts shared, if it was a holiday.  Everyone loves cocktail smokies and pastries, so, these were basics.  A few of these years, we were able to find our local Krispy Kreme donut shop open and had a box of warm, glazed yummy.  There would be a large pan of scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese grits, and, of course, coffee and orange juice.  Eventually, bagels and lox made an appearance as one of my dad's favorites.  And, so, that was the usual fare.  It worked for our family very well. 

Things are not quite the same, anymore.  All the children are grown and have their own families.  Mom and dad are no longer with us.  I stepped into my role as 'family matriarch', if you will, rather reluctantly.  But, we needed to carry on and I felt it was up to me.  We manage pretty well.  The children are more involved in the plans, so, that helps me.  Sunday mornings are sure quiet sometimes, though.

This morning, this was on my mind as I thought about what each of the children were doing.  My son and his family are probably lazing around, watching television, deciding if they should go wet a line or not.  My oldest daughter is probably at work.  She's a paramedic and is very active in all kinds of things.  Her hubby is probably sleeping.  He's a sheriff's deputy and works graveyard shift.  My youngest daughter and her two children spent the night over at a friend's house.  The Gators played last evening and they partied for the game.  She stays put when she does this.  So, it was too quiet around here.  I decided to make myself a big breakfast to liven things up a bit.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I am not lonely.  For one with all grown children, my family is always around.  My youngest, with the two children, lives here.  My son, his wife and any of their children are over here, at least, twice a week, if not more.  So, I am never lonely!  Far from it.  I am blessed!  LOL

This morning, though, after running fever for a few days with this awful flu, I was hungry.  I stuck a potato in the microwave oven for a minute or so.  This only starts the cooking process.  (Don't overcook.  Leftover baked potatoes are good used for this.)  Then, without burning my fingers, I cut it up into small bite-sized pieces, aka, home fries, hash browns, "insert regional name".  I course-cut chopped an entire small onion.  Then, I put potatoes and onions into melted margarine in a small skillet.  Some lemon-pepper seasoning and sea salt and let it simmer/fry at a medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, turning them often, and, wallah!  LOL  Home fries, a couple of pieces of smoked sausage, with maple syrup for dipping, and a fried egg and I was in pure bliss.

So, now I sit, all sated and sassy.  I'm debating as to whether to take a nap or work on some design, since it is so quiet in the house.  By my own actions, I revisited some memorable feelings, this morning.  It was a nice visit.  My memories, like most folks, are cherished, good or bad.  They are what define us as individuals.  They build our character.  I often find I dwell too much in the past.  I regret things and rehash how something may or may not have gone differently.  Same old script.  But, taking a trip to my past, today, in a sort of short visit there, and coming back to the present, gives me hope that there will always be brighter days.  I cherish those Sunday mornings.  I have fond memories. 

Now, about that nap...