I really believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In the same sense, (haha pun intended) the term "gourmet" is in the taste of the taster's buds. I say this for a couple reasons. As most of you know by now, I'm pregnant, and yes, with that comes cravings. Last week I spoke of nesting, but I'm soooo over that...for now anyway. This train of thought started with hot dogs and ramen noodles. I promise, it will all come together, just follow along with a hormone crazed pregnant woman and you'll see. lol The Cowboy and "J" (ranch-hand) were headed up to cow-camp to set up the camper, take a look around and make general preparations for this coming week of shipping cows. Cow-camp is about an hour from the main ranch, through town, and "over the hill" so-ta-speak. Since they'd be there for a while, Shell (J's wife) and I drove up with the munchkin to check it out, and have supper with them. We were chatting, as us girls are always so good at, when a familiar story popped in my brain. She told me that the Cowboy stopped in at their house, and J was fixing a snack and my Cowboy preceded to steal it from him, forcing J to make another packet of Ramen Noodles. Don't worry, it's a universal cowboy thing, they're always hungry. I can't tell you the times that my fridge has been raided, or have been given that fore lorn look of "please have pity on me and FEED me". So anyway, the Cowboy pulled rank, and took the already prepared noodles, secured a hot dog and was asking Shell for a can of corn. No corn could be found, so just the noodles and hot dogs were enough. When Shell relayed this story, my pregnant stomach cringed, but knew where it came from. I then told her the detailed "back story" to Hot Dogs and Ramen Noodles. The Cowboy and I had been married just shy of 2 years and as most cowboys are, we were broke. He had a great opportunity training horses with an up-and-coming trainer. So while he trained horses, I mucked stalls and we got by. We had 2 dogs and 1 cat in a 32 foot motorhome. No power, no running water, parked in an open pasture a couple miles from the main ranch. We hauled irrigation water to flush the toilet and drinking water from the horse barn. I REFUSED to bath in irrigation water, so that too was hauled from the barn. Funny how terrible that must sound to some of you, but I don't remember being miserable at all. We came home one evening, a few days away from payday (we all know how that is) and began to look through the cupboards and coolers (no fridge, remember). The Cowboy announced he would cook dinner. Ramen Noodles, Hot Dogs, and a can of Corn. I was less than thrilled. I've hated hot dogs since I was about 10. I try to only eat about 2 a year, any more than that, and I'd better have a gun to my head. So needless to say, he was a little hurt at my lack of enthusiasm over his "gourmet meal". You see, when the Cowboy was very little, he thought this was his favorite meal. He didn't know until much later in life that it was a meal of necessity. Till he was about 5, he was raised by a very hard working single mom. She went without so he could have his fill, even if all there was on the menu was Ramen Noodles and Hot Dogs. I don't know of a good parent that wouldn't sacrifice something for their child, we've all done it. It's just a parent thing. I was not aware of the story behind this meal, until he told me, and then called his mom to relay the memory of the meal. At that moment, I was a very ungrateful wife. Sometimes you just have to choke down a freakin hot dog already! So I did. Now I look in my freezer and realize that I'm blessed. We have a freezer full of home-raised beef, lamb, pork and soon will have chickens. Beats the heck outta hot dogs, which ironically are the munchkin's favorite. Everyone needs some tough times to appreciate the good times and the times of plenty. Sometimes to appreciate the steak in front of me, I have to remember, I've had to choke down alot of hot dogs and I'm no worse for the wear. In the paper yesterday, I noticed hot dogs are on sale....
Thank you for sharing this. It brought a tear to my eye and helps me to remember just how much we have to be thankful for.
Posted by: Jessica Robinette | 06/28/2011 at 06:05 AM