A Bucket Full of Thoughts For A New Year Revisited

A Bucketful of Thoughts For A New Year, Revisited

by Kerri Habben Bosman

Contemplating a new year, I find myself remembering an epiphany during a visit to the dollar store.

A unique setting, I know. However, I have learned to appreciate lessons wherever they arrive.

The following exchange occurred over three years ago. I first wrote about it over a year after my mother had been diagnosed with brain cancer and eight months after she passed away. I offer you a revised version of that original article.

A warning. There are some gentle bathroom references.

During Mom’s illness, she needed a bedside commode. Having grown up with a grandfather and a great-aunt in a wheelchair I was prepared for this.

The problem was that I didn’t have the original bucket for the commode. I searched the garage until I found every option. One bucket fit, but it was too high. Another didn’t fit at all, but an old metal one seemed to fit just right. The pivotal word in that last sentence is “seemed.”

One day everything which could be in the bucket was indeed therein. Whereupon the bucket fell through onto the carpet. I uttered a phrase that I cannot write here. It was, however, a most accurate sentiment.

The next time Mom and I went out, I stopped at the dollar store. I bought every bucket they had. Yes, one of them did fit the commode perfectly. Now to the moral of the story.

At the checkout the clerk rather robotically rang up my purchases, and I asked, “How are you today?”

He gazed at me with empty eyes and said quite wearily, “Just trying to get through the day.”

I looked at him for a moment. My first thought was, “I have shoes older than you.” My second was “well, at least you’re honest.” My third almost escaped on a sigh: “Do you have any idea why I am buying all these buckets?”

Thankfully I paused until my fourth thought, which was: “You don’t know why he is struggling any more than he knows why you need a bucket.”

I smiled as I handed him $4.00 and change.

“How about this,” I suggested. “I’ll think good thoughts for you, and you think good thoughts for me. Who knows? It just might get better for both of us.”

He smiled back at me. His dull eyes lit up for a precious instant.

We live in a harshly reactive world. People are ever more connected by technology, but we sometimes forget how to genuinely and kindly give. If I had immediately responded to my friend at the dollar store, at best, I would have been derisive and, at worst, self-absorbed and defensive. I am grateful I waited.

If we all lived on mountain tops, it would be easy to seek our best selves in our solitude. But we don’t. We live in the thumb tacks and sometimes dirty details of life. One of our strongest resources in traveling this sometimes tenuous journey is helping one another. We are often each others’ greatest gift.

I shared with Mom about our exchange that day in 2017. She said, “Maybe one day you’ll write about this.” So I did. When I first set this story down, I could not have imagined the quietly beautiful way my life would evolve. From that place of gratitude, I submit an enduring hope as we begin new calendar. Whatever the circumstances of each of our lives, 2020 was a very different and in some ways quite a surreal year. I hope that this coming year brings each of you much goodness and joy. May we each become our best selves and be each others’ greatest gifts.

Kerri Habben Bosman is a writer in Chapel Hill, NC. She is currently working on a book of essays and poetry. She can be reached at 913jeeves@gmail.com.

Chili Inspiration for Chilly Winters

by Kelsey Ruzicka, Publisher

Here in the Midwest Chili tends to be a staple for our cold months. Starting in the fall we get out our hearty family-favorite chili recipes. And in the frosty January months, nothing beats a warm bowl of chili and corn bread or cinnamon rolls. One thing is for sure, there are thousands of ways to cook up chili. Ingredients have no limits. Wild game chili, tomato base or cream base, spices ranging for miles, bean options….the list goes on. That is the fun and yummy part about this special soup dish. We all have a couple chili recipes that are our go-tos and favorites. But, this winter you might find yourself wanting to try a new one. We have compiled 5 nontraditional chili recipes worth a try!

Vegetable Three Bean Chili

INGREDIENTS • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for frying (about 2 cups) • 3/4 cup mild or medium chunky corn and tomato salsa (not corn and black bean salsa, which usually has a puréed bean base) • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin • 1 teaspoon chili powder • 1 teaspoon dried oregano • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed, drained • 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed, drained • 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed, drained • 1 (15-ounce) can puréed tomatoes or tomato sauce • 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more • 1/4 teaspoon (or more) freshly ground black pepper • 2 (5–6”) corn tortillas, sliced into 1/4”-wide strips • Sliced pickled jalapeños (for serving; optional) • A deep-fry thermometer

Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in large heavy pot over medium-high. Cook salsa, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and garlic powder, stirring, until fragrant and slightly reduced, 1–2 minutes. Add black, pinto, and kidney beans, tomatoes, broth, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors are blended and chili is thickened, about 15 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed.

Pour oil into a medium skillet to a depth of 1/2”. Heat over medium-high until thermometer registers 375°F. Working in 2 batches, fry tortilla strips, turning occasionally, until crisp and pale golden, about 2 minutes per batch. Using a slotted spoon, transfer strips to a paper towel-lined plate or rimmed baking sheet to drain; immediately season with salt.