I have never strived to be ordinary. Strike that. As an adult, I have never strived to be ordinary. I did come of age in a small Midwestern town where fitting in was more a means of survival than a character flaw. Yet secretly, in the depths of my psyche, I longed to march to the beat of my own drummer. I consider my swift decampment from that region evidence of this inner desire.
No longer hemmed in by the threat of abuse from others, or rather not caring about their trifling opinions, the opportunities are limitless. And yet, it only occurred to me today that I had unwittingly submitted to the confines of convention regarding one most basic principle of life, mealtime.
Allow me to elaborate. Modern Americans subscribe to the idea of three meals a day. Some may even incorporate a couple of snacks scattered throughout. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Even those who skip breakfast acknowledge the meal’s existence. I have always gamboled along in this rhythm, never pausing to question what works for me. In fact, upon careful examination, I found I rather dislike the concept of lunch. Lunch, for me, has always been an unconquerable obstacle. I’ve spent hours thinking about what to eat for lunch. While, yes, this may sound a bit compulsive, and maybe admittedly it is, I simply have never jived with that midday meal. It always occurs a tad too early or far too late. I’m not even a fan of standard lunch fare - sandwiches of grey meat slapped between two overly thick slices of bread, salads that fill on demand yet never truly satisfy, soups that sedate, and on and on. Which is not to say I don’t enjoy salad and soups and sometimes sandwiches. I do indeed, just not midday.
Henceforth I will be ruled by this intrepid declaration: I’m abolishing lunch. No longer will I fret about what to eat at the noontime hour. Instead I will fill my day with quaint dalliances, simple affairs to quench my hunger. Breakfast, Elevenses, Afternoon Tea and Dinner. It all sounds quite delightful, doesn’t it?
Dear readers, how do you live against the grain?
Having recently returned from London, I must say that I rarely ate lunch. I usually forget it. I love breakfast, and am rarely ever hungry enough for lunch. That's why the British afternoon tea is so perfect! I applaud your defiance in the face of organized lunch.
ReplyDeleteOh, and my ears aren't pierced. I suppose that's going against the grain a bit.
Interesting, I have been recently thinking about dispensing with lunch, at least as it is conventionally defined. I just don't need that much sustenance any more.
ReplyDeleteHow do I go against the grain? I wear a tie at home.
ReplyDeleteOh dear: I am a contrarian by nature, so I am always going against the grain. But I do embrace grain for lunch! Every single day around 12 I eat plain Greek yogurt with fruit (that I slice) and fruit/nut granola.
ReplyDeleteBiggest rebellion(?): wearing a le Smoking as a dress to my very tiny wedding.
I love little meals along the way...
ReplyDeleteMe too!
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I have lived against the grain as long as I can remember. I always wondered why everyone wanted to be ordinary and follow the pack. I dislike lunch as well; dislike being told I need to eat just because it's noon. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI adore your blog.
Love your blog! I do the same thing.. hours thinking about what to have for lunch .. it's madness! :)
ReplyDeleteThe best thing about getting older is going against the grain, doing what you want to do and not caring about what others may think.
ReplyDeleteI also dislike lunch and especially meeting "ladies to lunch". Who wants to stop something in the middle of the morning to get all gussied up and sit around with a bunch of women for 2 hours discussing their (grown) "kids"? I've also stopped going places which require new clothes unless I absolutely, positively can't get out of it. Shopping isn't a pleasure anymore and again, who wants to waste the time wandering in and out of stores looking for something that doesn't exist. I've also learned to say "no". Goodness, I sound like quite the old crank but it's so freeing to go about your own business and not do what you're "supposed" to do.
I'm ditching lunch in favor of 'Elevenses'. What a delightful name to call a snack! And afternoon tea is a gift to the world! I could survive quite well on a hearty English breakfast, tea and something small for Elevenses, and a substantial afternoon tea. Then I'd eat a wee bowl of cereal right before bed to tide me over. But however will I convince my meat and potatoes for supper loving husband?
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