Waffles: The important things in life

I love waffles.
I also love sandwiches. And cheeseburgers. But waffles are special.
Waffles are special because I don't get them very frequently, even though I love them. With all of the moving I've been doing and the shared kitchen space I've been using over the past year or so, it doesn't make much sense to carry around a waffle iron with me. I also typically don't live in places where you can just drive over to a restaurant that serves waffles. In fact, Stehekin doesn't even have any roads leaving the town. So yeah, waffles don't happen very often in my life.
This is probably a good thing because the last time I had a waffle iron at my disposal, I once ate about 10 full-sized waffles within the span of 24 hours, just because, and that's not healthy. But now, they are more like an exceptionally rare treat, and I actually kind of like it that way.
Waffles have sort of become a representation of many of the comforts that have been a regular part of my life at some point in the past and are currently not as easy to access.
Cell phone service and wireless internet, sure. But it's mostly things like going out for breakfast with my parents at lunch time, late-night coffee and conversation with a friend, playing music with 200 other talented and spirited musicians, talking and laughing with my siblings, hanging out with my nieces, walking down the street to visit my grandparents.
Waffles are pretty much the delicious embodiment of my emotional ties to all of these things. Often, I trade in these familiar moments for new experiences and opportunities to make connections with different people and places. But sometimes, I really start craving waffles.
Lately, there have been several things calling to my attention. By next month, I'll be exploring and playing in a different style of earth's architecture in Utah with Brian. For the next six months I will be able to devote more time to pursuing personal goals by pushing myself to be voluntarily unemployed until next spring. But right now, I have a brief chance to spend time with many of the people that have occupied my mind frequently, show them my love, and just be present in their lives.
My season ended well , and as soon as I got off the boat on Sunday, I hit the road to make my way home. My Wito (short for "abuelito") hasn't been doing well, so I took the opportunity to see him and some more of my family, even though my visit has to be very short.
I decided that I was ready for a quick dose of waffles. And sure enough, at one of my favorite diners, there was a crispy, golden waffle waiting to welcome me back into the world of chain restaurants and cell towers, comforting cups of coffee and warm hugs.
Tomorrow, I fly back up to Washington to meet up with Brian. Soon after, we will begin our adventure down to Utah for a couple of months, but I'm content knowing that waffles are still a bit closer within reach.

Comments

  1. I feel all of the things in this post! Love it! ... but now I really want waffles.... Hope this finds you well!

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