Historically, potatoes are associated with hunger. That thought echoed in her mind as she wrote the shopping list that day. Exacerbating the exercise, was coming up with relatively long shelf life items that were healthy and anyone would actually want to eat. She rarely bought potatoes. She could never tell when they were done. Still, they met all her criteria; her devotion to well balanced meals was greater than her general dislike of cooking, so she added them to her list. They paired well with salads (her specialty), fish, duck, chicken and lamb.

Making the list was at once an act of procrastination and building the courage to gear up and drive to the grocery stores. She would have to go to three different shops to get everything she wanted and needed. She was particular. The threat of the virus had not cured her of that trait.

About a month later, as she surveyed her food pantry, she noticed some of the potatoes had begun to wilt. Throwing them out felt egregiously wasteful in a time of so many unknowns. Her partner decided to plant them in the lone, empty flower pot in the back yard. She balked at the thought of trying to grow food in her decidedly “manicured trees only” garden. Except, the garden was not only hers; it was theirs.

Two and a half months later, her partner dug into the potted earth and, surprisingly, pulled out several beautiful baby potatoes. She was in awe of how perfect they were. Knowing they came from something usually so easily discarded made her feel strong and renewed. Maybe the source of her survival, the resilience of her marriage and family, was something that would not occur to her. She shed some cynicism and deliberately warded off a retreat into emotional depravity. The constraints of the moment yielded new behavior and an elegant reward. This was a yearning and celebration!

Girotondo miniature round tray | 18/10 stainless steel | King-Kong | Alessi | KKGT M | 1989

Vintage linen placemat in burnt orange & natural flax linen tablecloth | IBoy Mag Private Collection

Photography | Creatives duMonde

Story | TMG