OATMEAL

compound complex

I wanted eggs for breakfast when I was a kid, but we were poor.

Bobby, my little brother, got an egg once a week for breakfast and Sis and I got oatmeal. Oatmeal everyday with blue powdered milk. What was left in the old aluminum pot, or our bowls, was put in the Coldspot and warmed up the next day, worse than ever -- gray and gluey. Mother said Bobby got the egg because he had a condition and Doctor told her it would help him get better. I never believed that. She always had a look in her eye and a smile for Bobby that she never had for me, Allan, the oldest.

I was just a little guy but I remember it like it was yesterday since this went on, day in, day out, till I finally left home and -- first day out on my own -- went to Eddie's Diner and ordered three eggs over easy. I licked the plate clean and didn't care who was watching. Those people didn't understand deprivation like I did. Food for the body, food for the soul -- missing my whole life because she loved Bobby more than me.

Mother died and Sis -- Margery -- moved to Baltimore and left me with Bobby. Yeah, he still has his condition and I'm stuck with him 23 years later. The deal was I get the house and Bobby. Since I never moved that far away from the old homestead, it made sense, I guess, but Bobby is so needy in ALL his ways. Mostly, I guess, because he can't move so well. I take care of him. There's no one but me and him. No one visits, offers to help. Sometime I think I'll go crazy, especially when he asks for his egg, day in, day out. Well, in his funny way of asking since he can't speak so well. I know what he wants.

I get the egg this morning and Bobby gets the oatmeal . . .

If he doesn't eat it, it goes in the fridge for tomorrow.

Mum

Wow, CC, that's such a sad story. We were very poor when I was small, but we had chickens and fresh eggs every day. To me, oatmeal was a treat because we put lots of sugar, butter and milk on it. We had fresh milk from the cow every day, too. My grandmother made fresh butter as well. I can see her churning now - a precious memory.

Eggs are one of the cheapest items at the supermarket. They're getting more expensive, but still they're a lot cheaper than meat.

I can certainly relate to the favoritism issue, as I'm sure many others can as well. But I was the lucky one in our family regardless of favoritism. My life has had much more adventure and learning than either of my siblings'.

compound complex

Thanks, Mum, for your reply!

Life takes different turns for us, doesn't it? Now I love oatmeal, just as you describe it. And I eat eggs several times a week. The tale told is based on real occurrences in my life. Someone else did get the eggs and the rest of us oatmeal, as described (YUCK!). Of course, the reasons I was told for the above and my interpretation of remembrance past turns into a weird look at how we children remember our youth.

I -- "Allan" -- was actually the favorite. Well, until "Bobby" came along!

All the best.

CoCo

rip van winkle

Coco! I felt bad for Allan and his sister being the lesser loved than their little brother Bobby. Now I feel bad for Bobby.

The description of the oatmeal also reminded me of my mom's complete disgust and distaste for oatmeal.My Mom and her brother's were often given lumpy and burned oatmeal for breakfast. When my mom spent the weekend at her Gma's, she was always given eggs for breakfast. My mother loved eggs. And especially would get excited over double yolks!! Lol

Mum

Here's a funny story about eggs. You were not the only egg-deprived child, it seems. Sam Levinson was, too.

If you've ever read any books or articles by Sam Levinson, you've had some good laughs. In one of his books he explains why he and his brothers never got to eat eggs. There was only one sister and about eight brothers in the Levinson household. When Mrs. Levinson had eggs, she gave them to her daughter to ensure that her daughter would reproduce when she got older. I think Sam describes it as a "fertility ritual" of some kind.

compound complex

Thanks, Rip and Mum. Appreciate your comments.

Was that In One Era and Out the Other by Sam Levenson?

G'night!

Preparing oatmeal for breakfast . . .

CC

LV101

Well, CC, hope you're able to indulge in all the eggs your heart desires -- forevermore! Poverty is so ugly and no child should be deprived of having nutritional eggs for breakfast. When does it stop.

I don't understand parents playing favs but lived thru it myself w/my egg donor. I think inadequate ones (it's extremely difficult for me to refer to most of them as parents/sorry, especially the one in my case) felt they were decent providers just passing off anything resembling food to their baggage, a/k/a children. Oddly enough, I have to oversee my toxic parent gets proper meals/meds, appts., etc. Happiness is hiring helping hands, believe me! It's amazing how considerate/nice they become when they're older than dirt and afraid.

Now I'm craving an omelet!

LV

compound complex

Thank you, LV!

I'm up and about at 3:30 of a new morning. Can I fix you an omelet?!?!?

CoCo des Oeufs

[Hang on -- there's more regarding who favored whom . . .]

compound complex

Duty called me to Baltimore.

I hated leaving Bobby in charge of Allan's care as he has his own problems. But he's a sweetheart and was willing to step up to the plate. Bobby had a little trouble at first adjusting to the new scenario, Mom dying so suddenly and my needing to return to Maryland -- no choice.

Mom -- bless her heart -- loved her children so much. It was clear, though, she had a soft spot for Allan, given his needs. She was so tender and caring, but he never warmed to her, even as a little boy. He constantly pushed her away, both physically and emotionally. She was a saint and seemed to take rejection as a gift from God -- yes, a gift. Lorraine, my dear mother, felt that God was watching out for us all and that even the strangest, most perverse circumstance was from her Lord as a well-meaning present to make us better souls. Well, in her case it worked.

I wish Allan would take my calls. If I could somehow snap him out of his illness, jog his little brain with happy childhood memories . . . or such. . . .

rip van winkle

Good Morning Coco!

Oooh, according to Margery, Bobby is? in charge of Allan's care??!! And here you had me and Allan believing he was taking care of Bobby!!

Margery's perspective is so different than Allan's. Funny how Allan wouldn't allow his mom to be physically or emotionally close to him.

It's only fair we get to read Bobby's and mom's perspective. Can't wait!

~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you enjoyed your oatmeal, Coco. I'm in the mood for some scrambled eggs-unless I get a double yolk- then they will be over easy!!

Enjoy your day!

OATMEAL

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