Of Curry and Singing…
Growing up, we at one point lived in a house in ‘downtown Fairbanks’, Alaska. I put that in quotes, because it was such a small town, I don’t know if it would be legal to call it a downtown. Anyway, we had several roommates during our time in that house, one of whom was a chef named Jerry. One of Jerry’s specialties was a chicken curry, which became a Christmas dinner tradition in our household for many years. My mom loved making the curry, and our good friend Linda and she would put it together every year. I think it was more of a Jamacian curry than an Indian one, as it included banana and coconut milk in the recipe, and you served it with a lot of condoments, which people could add as they liked. Condoments like raisins, shredded coconut, chopped apples, peanuts, etc. The thing was, Jerry, my mom, and Linda all liked their curry SO DAMN HOT that we kids couldn’t eat it. They could eat it, but they would BURN. Their faces would turn red, their eyes would water, their noses would run, and their tastebuds would die by the thousands. So, we kids would eat the condoments. Which was fine when we were smaller, less satisfying as we got older. I think it was High School before I realized that you could eat curry without it hurting, and a true revalation when I had Ted’s curry for the first time, which has a bit of heat, but even small children can eat it without any fear of pain. Lovely.
10 Comments
Beenzzz
Your voice will always be music to her ears because you are her mother! As for curry, I like the Guyanese style curry hot. I like the curries I get at the Indian restaurant to be medium. I don’t know why either!!!
Tabitha
As you may recall from a previous post regarding nigh-times and daughters, I too, sing my little one to sleep. (I sang to both, but my son is so over it). My daughter, however, still loves when I sing to her. And if life were like American Idol, I would be the contestant who was laughed at & scolded my Simon & all of America. I CANNOT sing. But my daughter loves it.
I have also wondered when she will wise up to the fact that the songs I sing are much more beautiful when not so warbled by my feeble attempts.
But I think there’s something more than the song. It’s something in the beauty, the calm, the closeness that our kids enjoy. And are willing to forgo the professional versions for our hopelessly flawed, but lovingly sang odes.
Py Korry
You mom’s curry was different, but when she decreased the heat it was much more enjoyable. And do you remember when Maya used to sing along with you when you sang? It was just the last word of each verse, but it was pretty darn cute! 🙂
Dot
That’s beautiful J. I know if i opened my mouth to sing (which I never did) Autumn would stick her fingers in her ears.
Ml
I bet Maya thinks you sing beautifully! I love curry and I really like it hot, unless it’s so hot that you can’t taste anything.
starshine
Well, it must not be too painful if it is what she requests to help soothe her into dreamland! What a sweet relationship you have.
I love the new masthead, by the way!
Maya's Granny
Somehow I should have held aside some of the curry before I added the hot parts for you kids. Now I think of it.
Heidi
You are hilarious! Maya has such a sweet, cool mamma! And like Beenzz said, your voice will always be comforting to her because it is yours and associated with all of those excellent songs/poems/memories. I also love your new header. It’s sort of like a tapestry, like your life. Your very interesting life!
Gina
I am ashamed to say that even in the multicultural city I have lived in all my life- I have never had curry. I am not a spicy food person and am always too scared to try it.
I don’t think any child thinks their mom’s voice is horrible, by the way. It’s their mommy!
L.
My mother used to sing me “Bridge Over Troubled Water…..”