I go grocery shopping once a week with my friend and neighbor, D. Another friend went to Houston and asked me if I’d like some fresh shrimp brought back. I thought of my friend D., who is a Katrina refugee and has complained about only being able to get frozen shrimp here, and I put in a request for 2 pounds. She brought back 3 pounds, and I gave it all to D. A few days later (day before yesterday) she brought over:

-Gumbo
-Red rice that she says is halfway between Cajun and Jambalaya
-Potatoes with ham and green beans
-Cheesy broccoli and cauliflower
-a wing and a thigh and some stuffing from the Christmas meal she and her boyfriend had
-potato salad
-a plate with more shrimp and ham

I haven’t eaten that well in years. And I’d never had gumbo before. And there’s still some left for tonight!

Yesterday I gave her one of my butternut squash pies with my possibly best-ever crust. I’m still indebted.