Thursday, October 20, 2011

Tears and fears

This morning, I witnessed both tears and fears.

The tears were not caused by any emotional termoil (at least it didn't seem that way).  Instead they were the result of standing over a frying pan which was filled with sliced onions.  The oil and the onions combined to no doubt release the pleasant aromas and just enough of the dread juices to make tears spring to the eyes of the one who was standing ever-so-solicitously over the gently tanning rings of goodness.

The fears I noticed were evident in the eyes of another soul who had the task of cubing some root vegetables.  From personal experience, I know how dangerous it can be to cut some root vegetables, especially if knife skills are not properly honed.  Evidence this eager worker who set out to tackle a turnip.  She didn't bother to peel the beast (at least not until she had succeeded in cutting it down to size).  Instead she sliced right through the thing, letting the two halves fall like a slaughtered animal on the table before her.  She then proceeded to take each half into her hands, and to attack it with the knife.  At first she was at least being careful to cover the blunt end of the knife with her opposite hand (in order to add pressure and thus cut through the stubborn vegetable), but then I saw a sight that made me almost jump.

Cut into wedges by this time, she tried to continue cutting one of said pieces by setting it on the sharp edge and cutting into the waxed vegetable skin!  This was a certain accident waiting to happen, so at least two onlookers quickly sprang to her rescue.  Before long, she understood that she needed to place the vegetable flat-side down, and then continue cutting into the desired cubes.

Tears shed, and fears averted, we then could continue with the rest of our day.

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