Objects d'Comfort

There's a lot written about "comfort foods." We all have our own. Mine are generally dripping with grease and served up in a basket. No, really. I love fried green tomatoes and fried okra and, more recently, fried pickles. The common denominator seems to be "fried." I also happen to seek out shrimp (fried) and yellow squash (yep, in a cast iron pan). Those are my comfort foods.

But, how about all those other things that bring comfort?

I adore flannel pj's during cold weather. I dearly love Keds and Converse sneakers. My dogs are an endless source of comfort to me, especially when they get on the bed and snuggle up real close. Waking up to sunshine always makes me smile, and smelling salt air with a tinge of boat fuel and fish bait is even better. 

Knowing that the people I love are safe is a real comfort. I also like to have an extra can of coffee in the pantry and when I know there's plenty of toilet paper and paper towels, well, that also helps me sleep at night. Go figure.

I suppose it's important to identify the things that give us comfort and make honest efforts to arrange all of them in order of priority, too. Too much emphasis is placed on job stability (yes, even in today's economy) and money (indeed, the love of which is the root of evil). We should all look at the smallest things that give us comfort and be thankful we can achieve these things in our lives. The bigger things, well, sometimes we confuse comfort with want.

There's lots I want. I'm no different than any one else. We all want stuff.

But right now, one single fried green tomato would be heavenly.