Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread by Jennifer Lagier (ONE GOOD MEMORY Series)

Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread
by Jennifer Lagier

The excursion van
pulls off the pot-holed road
as we rattle toward Hana,
stops at a ramshackle bakery stand
near an outdoor farmer’s market.

Warm, tropical fragrance
soothes nerve-rattled tourists.
One by one, we pay tribute
to the goddess of banana bread,
hand over five-dollar bills,
receive precious plastic-wrapped bundles.

We know our carnal cravings,
invest in two, one of which
we pull apart and devour within thirty minutes,
reverently inhaling steamy, succulent chunks
of cake-like confection.

Around us, fellow passengers
can’t control sounds of mutual pleasure,
experience their own multiple culinary orgasms,
uninhibited ecstasy of taste bud explosions,
courtesy of Maui’s Aunt Sandy.

PHOTO: Aunty Sandy’s banana bread. Visit Aunty Sandy’s at auntysandys.com.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: This poem captures the experience of a day on Maui just before the pandemic hit. We were part of a small group exploring the road to Hana and stopping at various colorful spots along the way. Aunty Sandy’s banana bread was an amazing epiphany!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jennifer Lagier has published 19 books, and her work has appeared in a variety of anthologies and literary magazines. She edits the Monterey Poetry Review and helps coordinate Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Second Sunday readings. Her recent collections include Meditations on Seascapes and Cypress (Blue Light Press), COVID Dissonance (CyberWit), and Camille Chronicles (FutureCycle Press). Visit her at jlagier.net and on Facebook.

PHOTO: The author in Maui, Hawaii.

Kafka’s Hat, poem by Richard Brautigan

KAFKA’S HAT
by Richard Brautigan

With the rain falling
surgically against the roof,
I ate a dish of ice cream
that looked like Kafka’s hat. 

Photo: Franz Kafka (1883-1924)

Cake Temptations, Quote by Alexander McCall Smith

Mma Ramotswe sighed. “We are all tempted, Mma. We are all tempted when it comes to cake.”

“That is true,” said Mma Potokwane sadly. “There are many temptations in this life, but cake is probably one of the biggest of them.” 

From In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith

Kafka’s Hat, Poem by Richard Brautigan

KAFKA’S HAT

Poem by Richard Brautigan

With the rain falling
surgically against the roof,
I ate a dish of ice cream
that looked like Kafka’s hat. 

Photo: Franz Kafka (1883-1924)

Felix Means Happy #2

We have many reasons to feel grateful and happy. For one thing, we feel honored that people from around the world visit our blog each day. To each of you, I extend my deep appreciation. Today, we learned that we’d surpassed 800 likes — and that, of course, makes us very happy. Thank you to everyone who clicked the like button for one of our posts. We like you, too!

A few weeks ago, I picked up a jar of Felix Lingonberries on the Albertson’s close-out shelf for just 99 cents. (From what I understand a 10-ounce jar usually sells for about $7.00.) When I got home, I put away the jar and forgot about it (that’s what often happens to impulse purchases — even inexpensive ones). A couple of days ago while looking for a coffee filter, I came upon the jar of lingonberries and, lo and behold, noticed the brand name “Felix.” This caught my eye because I’d used a Felix the Cat illustration when talking about our 700 likes a few days ago. At the time, I noted that “Felix means happy.”

Well, what could make someone happier than luscious red jam called Felix? I’ll admit, I have very little idea what a lingonberry even tastes like. I think I had some years ago on pancakes at Ann Sather’s, a well known Swedish restaurant on Chicago’s North Side — but couldn’t remember the flavor. So to familiarize myself before opening the jar, I did a little research and learned that lingonberries are the “cranberries of Sweden” and are found on the forest floor (sounds magical to me!).

The Felix Lingonberries label is quite beautiful and poetic — showing glowing lingonberry orbs and describing the product as, “A wild natural treat from the Swedish forests.” In small print (I needed a magnifying glass) at the bottom of the label, it stated: “Established 1955 by Herbert Felix.” First Felix the Cat and now Herbert Felix! I am now embarking on a search for even more Felixes!

Wishing happy, happy, happy times to all! As Aristotle put it, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” 

Just think, philosophy lessons from feline cartoons and a jar of jam. I feel blessed! And as I open the jar of Felix Lingonberries and take a bite, I share this wild treat with all of you! (I’m breaking the label right now.I’m opening the  jar. I hear the vacuum seal pop. I’m taking off the lid.  I’m dipping in the spoon. I’m taking a bite. Mmm. Tart and delicious. I think I’ll make some toast!)

Photo: Clancy and Felix