The Widows' Cooking Club

  “I just lost my husband”… This is the phrase I said time and time again when I was notifying various companies and organizations to cancel my husband’s accounts after he died.   Every time I said that phrase, my mind filled in the rest of what I wanted to say, which was… “Actually, I did not lose my husband.   I know exactly where he is.   He is at the Maine Veteran’s Cemetery in Augusta, section G, row 6, plot 9.”   Saying that I lost him sounds more like losing my car keys.   As if I can find him if I keep looking.   And I did not lose my husband, really.   I had him with me for thirty years and still have all the memories for which I am very grateful. It is rather overwhelming when you realize how many notifications you will need to send out to close out so many things!   Think about it!   Car insurance and registration, every credit card, retirement accounts with past employers, investment accounts, and I could go on.   ...

  When I first became a widow, just over a year ago, I felt lost, trying to navigate a new existence without my companion of thirty years. Feeling alone with my thoughts and finding that I had a hard time overcoming my loneliness, I decided to start a journal about my journey and the process of learning how to stabilize my life in this new dimension. I also love cooking, creating and trying new recipes. I have had a long-time ambition to write a cookbook or food column. So, with this blog, I will combine thoughts of widowhood with tidbits about food: focusing on Maine-centric food, learning to cook for one, comfort food, and favorite dishes from years past. First of all, I don't want to make this a sad and depressing reading experience.  I will refer to sad events now and then, but want to move on to life-affirming thoughts.  Bruce died during the first summer of the pandemic in 2020.  I was relived to be able to opt out of “visiting hours” due to Covid-19 restrict...