potluck

a treasure of a book wanted to be found by me this week. and so it was. a little tome called "potluck: parables of giving, taking and belonging". honestly, i found it at a dollar store. (sidenote: no author wants to find their book on a table at the dollar store or on a free pile at a thrift shop, but i digress). flipping it over, i discovered that it was actually valued at $12.99 and a whole $17.99 in canada. price and value relative as they are, i did my "book test". 1) feel the cover 2) open it at random 3) read selection. and it was mine for a mere $1.

she is a rich, rich writer. what made me gasp was her opening line. (i had just been to see high school friends put on a production of steel magnolias and was thinking alot about the concept). page one of unlikely book find, (and no, alert readers, i am not making this up):

"southern women with the soft beauty of a flower and the resolved strength of galvanized metal are known as 'steel magnolias'." the author, kim thomas, goes on to describe her first memories of the community of family and food. it's a perfect devotional for this thanksgiving season and helps me slow the days before advent.

is it easy being this tough and tender woman? a warrior-bride who is both sufficient and sensitive? hardly. it is painful and it is beautiful. come to the table, together we will share, over vulnerabilities, the meal of love and break the bread of thanksgiving. (hey, maybe our stories will even make it into the bargain book section of borders!)