one for the pot

  As I put on a pot of coffee this morning I had this thought. It's the ritual that makes it special. I'll try to explain that thought. You see I prefer a percolator style coffee pot. It's what my grandmother Bennett used and what I remember the most about her kitchen. The pot was always "on." She did have an electric one, a bow to the modern world although she kept her coal burning cooking stove lighted at all times. There would sometimes be a stew or soup sitting on the back. I helped Grandma, nana, as I called her make that coffee many times. It was a ritual of sorts. As she counted out the scoops to fill the basket she always ended by saying, and one for the pot. 

  I've had and used various Mr. Coffee style pots over the years. They are more convenient I'll give them that. Fast and efficient but the coffee doesn't taste the same to me. I've had coffee from those fancy Kurig things and wasn't impressed with that either. Easy to use I suppose, just pop in that little cup and away you go. Not much of a ritual involved with any of that. It's my thinking we have lost a great deal of ritual in this modern world, convenience has taken its' place. Microwaves and air fryers removing the ritual from food preparation. I recall nana wetting her fingertip to check the temperature of the oven before doing her baking. A ritual. She did that before ironing her clothes too. I expect there are warning labels about all of that on irons today. Caution, iron may be hot! 

 There are a lot of small ritual type things we all do everyday and are unaware of them. I'd tell you what some of mine are but I'm unaware of them. My father used to lick the tip of his pencil before writing anything. I've been told that was necessary before they had the number 2 pencils. Seems like they should be number one but life is full of things like that. Washing up for supper was a ritual type type thing when I was a kid. I don't remember it being that way before breakfast or lunch though. Wearing your best clothes for church or any formal occasion was a ritual. You did dress for the occasion. Now they say you dress for success. It is the same sentiment really, making a good impression being the ritual practice. 

  The holidays are upon us and they are filled with ritual. Thanksgiving especially concerns cooking rituals. Whether it is a turkey or a ham there is much ritual in that preparation. My mother would always use those little black peppercorns, pineapple slices and cherries on her ham. That turkey was stuffed and browned to perfection, an all day ritual of basting. There are the special pies and deserts. Thanksgiving dinner itself, is a ritual. Grace will be said, although it is seldom said in our home at any other time. It just seems appropriate. A ritual. Many people seem to be confused about all of this today. They are mistaking a "right" for a ritual. The ritual things we do are "ceremonial" in nature and you may or may not have that right. In fact, some acts may be considered a sacrilege to others that practice that very same ritual. That all depends. Are you doing that out of respect, or is it an appropriation? Folks can be touchy about their rituals you know.

  Making a pot of coffee with nana is a memory I cherish. I always thought how kind it was of her to include that "one for the pot." She offered everyone that entered her kitchen a cup of coffee. You could say it was a ritual act on her part. It was automatic, a reflex action, like saying  God Bless You after someone sneezes. It's a ritual, I've been told isn't practiced at all in Japan. People say nothing at all! Maybe you think of it as a habit, issuing that blessing, but its' root lies in ritual. Ritual is an appeal to a higher power of some sort. It is what we do to ensure a good outcome. Then having performed that ritual we do feel more confident, satisfied and content. That's how I feel taking that first sip of coffee in the morning. And yes, I include, one for the pot.