Split Pea Soup and Mozart

Not particularly cold - about 36 degrees.

Cold enough to invigorate, quiet enough to stir the imagination. Hunger flits around the edges of consciousness, speaking clearly to Imagination. Madam Curiosity is invited to play.

They whisper merrily, "Cherie is alone. She's listening to Mozart, wearing her thick, woolly socks, warming her fingers - especially the swollen one - around a mug of hot jasmine tea. She's standing at the window gazing at the brilliant colors of autumn - and smiling peacefully. No question, she will play with us."

And the idea of creamy green pea soup is born.

My friends Hunger, Imagination, and Curiosity get the ball rolling. Skill and Experience join in.

Hunger inspires. Imagination plans the menu, lights a candle, selects captivating music. Curiosity finds herbs in the garden, ham hock and chicken stock in the freezer, garlic and onion in the cold room, a jar of peas in the back of the pantry, and leftover carrot sticks from the weekend party. Soon a kettle of soup is simmering, Soon the girls return from French class. Soon Tom enters the back door pleasantly humming.

"Something smells Good!"

Mozart's uplifting continues, woolly socks faithfully warm. Soup's aroma cheers. In the creative corner of my mind The Friends converse about winter possibilities.

My smile remains.