Potatoes

For these last two weeks, I've been on a bit of a curry kick. The reason is the Irish Potato famine. You see, last week on Tuesday we learned about the Irish Potato famine of the 1840's in my 19th century Europe class. As we learned about this woeful topic I found myself craving potatoes. (In my defence, this class is held right before lunch time). I thought about hot, yummy potato soup. Then I thought of my mom's curry soup, which has potatoes in it. Then I thought it might be fun to try the curry at Hogi Yogi. I tried said curry, and found it to be surprisingly good, though sadly it didn't have any potatoes in it. When I had that class again on Thursday, my teacher talked about the Irish Potato famine again, and I once again craved potatoes and that once more led to a craving for curry. I got Hogi Yogi curry again and this time, it had potatoes in it. Oh happy day! Then I got to thinking, "You just learned about one of the most tragic events in human history and all you can think about is your stomach? What's wrong with you?!"
It's true. I have a rather ridiculous preoccupation with food, hence my rotundness. But I don't see this as being my fault. It's in my genes. My great-great-great grandpa Levi suffered greatly as a union soldier in the Civil War, and yet, he still found time in several of his journal entries to mention what he had eaten (or not eaten) that day. And then there's my dad, who has made up three parodies for the amusement of his family, (One of Lord of the Rings, one of Henry V, and one of Dickens's A Christmas Carol), which are based on food. As the parody of Lord of the Rings is the most complete one he created, I shall use that one as an example. The Dark Lord Sourpuss wants to take over the world and force all the people into a lifestyle of unhealthy eating. Many of the Characters' names are based on food:
Legolas=Leg O' Lamb
Gimli=Giblet
Sam=Spam
Frodo Baggins=Frito Bag'ums
Peregrin=Pop 'n Fresh
Aragorn=Artichoke
Treebeard=Briebeard
Get the idea?
Oh! and don't forget my mom's side of the family. Her father was so famous for his generous portions of desert, that even now we call large desert portions after him (Although my desert portions probably rival even those of my Grandpa.) And then there's the story of my usually calm mother almost losing it in a German restaurant. She was there with my dad and brothers and they decided to share a strudel for desert. When my brothers relished their bites for what she felt was an unnecessarily long time, she cried, "FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, PASS THE STRUDEL!!" (Yes, a few people did turn around and look)
But anyway, no, I did not eat curry for lunch today, but I did have a generous portion of French fries. But that's another story...
I would go on, but as it's getting late, I think I should close this post so named for that glorious ground apple of the Colombian Exchange.