WHAT DOES PEA SOUP HAVE TO DO WITH WRITING?

Sense_Of_Taste_American_Sunday_Monthly_Mar7_1915 — taste

It’s a soup day. Well, okay, it’s 76 degrees outside on this August morning in Chapel Hill but it’s dark and dreary. The sound of the rain hitting the roof makes me think of soup. Thoughts of the warm aroma of Grandma’s bean soup and the sweet, earthy taste of Mom’s chicken soup, made with the bits of the carcass we modern cooks toss away, stir up memories. Soup comforts. Soup soothes the soul. Soup awakens the senses.

Lately I have been enmeshed in editing my book. And I’m losing ground in meeting my self-imposed deadlines. I should be writing but I’m making split pea soup instead. Both efforts are not entirely unrelated. Rather than searching for inclusion of the five senses in my story, now I actualize the experience.

An-Allegory-of-the-Sense-of-Smell-xx-Nicolaes-Maes — smell

I finger the firm half-moon peas searching for hitchhiking stones. The thick broth bubbles noisily on the stove. Its steam fills the kitchen with an earthy aroma. I lift a spoon-full of green soup dotted with specks of orange carrot. The velvety rich liquid satisfies my hunger and need for comfort. And reenergizes me to return to my edits.

By Marianna Crane

After a long career in nursing--I was one of the first certified gerontological nurse practitioners--I am now a writer. My writings center around patients I have had over the years that continue to haunt my memory unless I record their stories. In addition, I write about growing older, confronting ageism, creativity and food. My memoir, "Stories from the Tenth Floor Clinic: A Nurse Practitioner Remembers" is available where ever books are sold.

View all of Marianna Crane's posts.

9 comments

Carol Henderson says:

08/19/2012 at 5:50 pm

I want some of that soup. Yum. Love your description and I hope the nourishment gave you strength for the difficult task of editing. Good luck.

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1. Marianna Crane says:
  
  08/20/2012 at 7:33 pm
  
  Thanks for reminding me creativity shouldn’t be rushed.
  
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Linda Jay says:

08/19/2012 at 6:21 pm

I love this. It was a perfect soup day, and split pea is one of my favorites. We’ll have to share recipes!

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1. Marianna Crane says:
  
  08/20/2012 at 7:36 pm
  
  I have trouble following a recipe. I never cook anything the same way twice.
  
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Jane VDV says:

08/20/2012 at 1:24 pm

I made my first pot of soup last week too! Soup always feeds my soul. There is something so calming about the process of soup-making—the chopping, the stirring, the tasting. And oh….the aroma of gently bubbling soup on the stove. And fresh bread to dunk in the soup. Hmmmm…..I love soup season.

Sending you best wishes for your editing process.

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1. Marianna Crane says:
  
  08/20/2012 at 7:43 pm
  
  I agree. Now I am so longing for the cool of autumn to enjoy the earthiness of soup.
  
  And maybe the nourishment of soup will feed my mind to finish my edits.
  
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michelemurdock says:

08/26/2012 at 2:17 pm

Maybe this time….I love the soup blog — and if you don’t finish the editing this week, make some more soup. I am getting my husband through writing his text book on one small blueberry tart a day — a bowl of soup is healthier and the creative process of making the soup is also healthier! Writers don’t just have to write 24-7! Good luck as you press on!

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1. Marianna Crane says:
  
  08/26/2012 at 2:50 pm
  
  Are you telling me you make blueberry tarts? Impressive!
  
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