AND DON'T FORGET THE SUGAR

 "bouffer la vie a pleines dents" - to enjoy life to the fullest

A dear  friend and I meet for a Friday afternoon walk. On the way back, I suggest coffee in the shopping center across  from the nature trail. We arrive at the coffee shop  to find the place closed. Next door is a deli we don’t know , but figure we could at least get a cup of coffee or tea there and continue chatting. The deli is empty and quiet. We order two cups of tea. The deli owner does not inquire if we want herbal, green, or generic tea, but heats water up in his electric kettle and serves us two cups of Lipton tea, “America’s favorite”. Do we want sugar or creamer? he graciously asks. We want nothing. My friend brings her own sweetener. I usually take my tea “au nature”.  

We discuss  the recent loss of my beloved sweet dog Maggy, how hard it is to adjust to change, hair colour choices and  our  over-consumption of holiday chocolate. The deli remains empty except for a woman who darts in  quickly  to buy a lottery ticket.  The  deli owner wishes her good luck. He’s nice, this guy. I try to get a general sense of the deli. The menu looks Greek- Lebanese. There’s even  baklava for dessert.  On the counter sit a couple of unlabeled jars of homemade Za’atar which is a Middle Eastern spice blend typically of thyme, oregano, marjoram, toasted sesame seeds, sumac, and salt.  A big fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, I use Za’atar regularly . In fact, my jar of Za’atar  at home needs refilling.  Just  a few days ago,  I asked my husband Bill to get Za’atar at his favorite discount grocery store, but he could not find it.  I contemplate purchasing  the spice mix here. The sign says Za’atar $5.00.  That seems reasonable enough.

After a while, my friend and I make our way to the counter to pay. We ask how much we owe. The guy asks us how much we want to pay.  This reminds me of France and my  ridiculously nice electrician. My friend and I look at each other.  I am going to pay for his Za’atar and deal with the tea later. Meanwhile she gives him $4.00 for her tea. He gives her $2.00 in change and says he really feels he should not charge us at all.  I give him $4.00 for my tea which he refuses saying my friend  already paid for both. He asks me if I know how to use Za’atar. Of course, I  proudly put it on chicken.  No, no no. You take two plates. Fill one with olive oil; the other with Za’atar. Dip your pita bread first in the oil, then in the spice mix. Enjoy with a cup of tea with sugar.  Sugar? Is this important?  We make conversation with this lovely man for a few more  minutes. We turn to leave. He calls out: “And don’t forget the sugar.”

Our lovely man strikes me as someone who lives life to the fullest. In French we say “bouffer la vie a pleines dents”. You may recognize the verb “ bouffer” to eat and “a pleines dents”  with full teeth. I am grateful for his reminder to sprinkle life with sugar and spice as my sadness over the recent loss of my pet feels overwhelming. 

I will end by wishing you all a wonderful, healthy and happy “ Bonne Annee 2026”. “And don’t forget the sugar.”

The French love sugar cubes