Making It Up As You Go Along

NPR : Making It Up as I Go Along From NPR This I Believe

This comes from my youth and finds new meaning in my life now. Admittedly, I am not as ready as Alice is to make transitions, but I do recognize that the ability to do so is an important factor in making a paradigm shift. I do see some similarities with what I wrote about at Changing Plans Changing Life.

Alice Brock, owner of Alice's Restaurant — made famous in Arlo Guthrie's 1967 song and 1969 movie — stands outside of her restaurant in 1974. Courtesy of Alice Brock



I just barreled ahead, discovering all kinds of possibilities and making plenty of mistakes. And those are really great opportunities to learn. When something works, well, that's that. But when it doesn't, I have to think about why, and I have to come up with some other way that will make it work. Mistakes lead to discovery and that can produce delight, like cream of salt and pepper soup. I made it in a pinch once and believe me it's good. You should try it!

Recipe for Cream of Salt and Pepper Soup

One day, Alice Brock saw a tour bus coming up the drive to her restaurant and she suddenly remembered she was supposed to feed 40 people a full lunch. She didn't have any soup made, so she improvised this Cream of Salt and Pepper Soup on the spot. Brock says, "Soup is any kind of food cooked in enough liquid to make eating it impossible with a fork."

1. Sautee some onions in butter
2. Add chicken stock and heat
3. Just before serving, add fresh heavy cream
4. Add salt and pepper to taste