Comments on: Guest Post: Paige Orloff, When I Became a Cook

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:23:29 +0000

Wow… that was beautiful and even though I knew about this I never really knew. The thing I love most about your writing is how you find a way to bring the reader right into the middle of a situation and to feel part of it.

By: stephanita

stephanita — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:33:36 +0000

Thank you for sharing that amazing story.

By: Lynn Dunning-Vaughn

Lynn Dunning-Vaughn — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:08:34 +0000

Hi, Paige–
Thanks for sharing your first roast chicken experience with your Mother’s “long distance” directions from her bed. I too experienced a bedridden Mother at that age and think the sense of helplessness would have been helped with a little cooking! Also enjoyed your July Berkshire Living article on Margaret Roach and her lush gardens. I hope you keep fitting the writing into your busy life.

By: Paige Orloff

Paige Orloff — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:58:14 +0000

Wow, thanks ALL OF YOU for these lovely comments! Feedback like this is why we all keep reaching out with pen and plate into the strange digital family that is the ‘net.

Tea: I’m sending that hug right back to your six year old self!

Kate; For me, sadly, cooking is totally a control thing, though I try and try to let go a bit. And I love that you remember that version of curry. I have to ask my mom which recipe she used.

Renovation Therapy: Upside down or rightside up, roast chicken is just as good. It can be totally homely and totally delicious, which is one of the reasons I love it.

Chef Gwen, let’s hope my mom agrees! She doesn’t always like it when I write about her, and doesn’t like to think/talk about those sick days (who can blame her?)

muddywaters: Nebraska is so on my list of places to visit–lots of my mom’s family is from there! Thanks for the vision of you in the kitchen. What is kolache?

Nella:Thank you for the kind, kind words.

And you M sisters–all three of you are the absolute best. Marilyn, if you roadtrip to US, I promise to use the Japanese box to serve–something!

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 05:40:23 +0000

Why hello, Margaret & Marion! You must be very proud of your “sister” Paige. What a pleasure to have her (and you both) at Simmer.

By: Margaret Roach

Margaret Roach — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:16:03 +0000

Oh, Paige. You know, even though you have told me this before, of the years between ages 4 and 6 and your mother’s illness, I cannot keep it registered. To meet her now, who would know? But you knew, then, and I am sorry for all the fear it must have caused, even though it yielded a fierce woman (that would be you) who is capable in the kitchen and in so many other realms. xoxo

By: Marion

Marion — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:20:20 +0000

Yo, sister Paige. I’d travel high low and under the wire to read you and here you are with this lovely essay about your cooking self. A delicious, piquant read. I’m savoring it.

By: Nella

Nella — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:45:22 +0000

Thank you! Nicely written and well put. It IS more than just cooking.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:35:54 +0000

Paige: just noting that I’d probably be all over the tiered Japanese porcelain box. What a serving piece!

By: muddywaters

muddywaters — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:12:52 +0000

Beautiful post, Paige. I love reading stories that testify to the power of food. Food is more than sustenance. It can bridge gaps. It can function as a time machine. It is therapy.

I’m currently visiting my in-laws in southwest Nebraska. Even though I’ve been married for nine years, I always feel a bit out of place when I’m here. However, this morning I helped my mother-in-law make Kolache and horn rolls. When I’m in the kitchen with my mother-in-law I feel like I’m a true member of the family.