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Life, actually…

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ONE SACRED SERVING OF GRITS

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Let us now praise all things gritty.

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This is how you eat grits in my South.

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First, the grits have to be properly cooked. Just follow instructions and proceed. That’s the easy part.

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Then, grits must be served piping hot.

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Once you have a serving of piping hot grits beckoning to you on the breakfast counter, what you do next will determine whether you ever touch the stuff again, or whether you become a lifelong fan.

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For a second, watch the steam rising from the plate. This is in anticipation of the sacred experience you are about to have.

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Scrounge around for a shaker of salt, a generous helping of ground black pepper, a dangerous hunk of butter, maybe a dab of grated cheese.

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Next step, check again to make sure the steam is still rising.

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Now, just do this one thing more. You’ll never have to do it again: sample half a spoon of unflavored grits. Don’t give up—this sampling is just to show you how bland and uninteresting grits can be if you don’t follow up with the added ingredients.

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Generously salt the serving. Then add just a bit more pepper than you normally dare. Give the serving a couple of whirls. Drop the butter atop the mixture, pressing it deep into the grits until melting begins.

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Now, sprinkle whatever else you like—cheese, garlic, your choice.

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Mix everything well.

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Take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Take your first bite.

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Ahhhhh…..

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Since you cannot believe how good this spiced and flavored dish is, you must quickly take another bite.

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Now you know how Down South feels in the morning. Now you know how my South feels.

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For additional zest, continue eating while looking about you. Notice how new and charming your world is now.

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Now that grits are settling your nerves, comforting your innards, satisfying your momentary desires…now you can add whatever extras that seem perfectly natural.

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Like fluffy biscuits leaking jam and butter. Crisp bacon strips. Scrambled eggs done your way. Cuppa coffee, juicy juice, lemony iced water. What did I forget?

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Now that you are at peace with this early morning feast, now that you have come to terms with how fresh and new the world around you looks, now that you are feeling good about people, about life, cherish the moment.

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This moment will not last. No moment ever does.

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But the memory of this suspension of time will not fade.

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Even if it does begin to fade, there’s always tomorrow morning.

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There are always grits ready to receive confession, ready to comfort you and pump you up to face the unknown day.

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There is nothing like the look of satisfaction on your face as you resume the life you are living.

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There is nothing like true grits

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© Jim Reed 2023 A.D.

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