The church potluck was in six hours and I’d completely forgotten. Not just forgotten to cook—I’d forgotten the event entirely until my neighbor, Carol, knocked … Read more

My neighbor, a guy named Dave who once tried to grill a frozen pizza, asked why I couldn’t just cook the salmon and asparagus in … Read more

I was at my neighbor’s garage sale last spring, not looking for anything in particular, when his aunt—a tiny woman with flour-dusted jeans and the … Read more

It was 11:47 PM on a drizzly Tuesday in late October, and I had the weirdest craving for something that tasted like a sweater feels. … Read more

The neighborhood chili cook-off was in four hours and I’d completely forgotten. Everyone else would be bringing their slow-simmered masterpieces, secret spice blends, and brisket … Read more

My brother-in-law Dave asked why I couldn’t just brush the bourbon glaze on the ribs during the last ten minutes instead of basting them all … Read more

My brother-in-law Mark had refused butternut squash for a solid decade. Ten years. He claimed it was “too sweet for dinner food” and would push … Read more