Working for the women

What is the difference between success and disaster, triumphant victory and utter defeat? Sometimes its all just a matter of timing. Yesterday was women's day. JB, Martin and I have, the past couple of years, cooked for our wives on women's day. So JB suggested we do the same but this year we also got Steven, Don and Joseph to join us too. With this many cooks we figured to take the endeavor to a new level and cook for all the women on the compound. Six fearless strong men going where no man has gone before, the kitchen.

JB and I decided on the menu and JB was appointed to purchase the food. Good plan, bad timing! Women's day is a holiday. The market was closed! No problem you can always buy from street vendors and even save some money! Good plan, bad timing! The rains began last week and street vendors don't sell in the rain so JB had to search to find the food. What should have been a 45 minute trip took 3 hours but the man got it done! (I don't want to hear how a woman would have planned ahead, we got it done).

Now we 6 brave men descend upon the kitchen with the confidence that comes from watching people (women) cook for years and assuming it is as easy as it looks. The phrase "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread" came to mind as we all had full ideas on what to do but only half a clue on how to do it. JB started cutting meat, Don-chickens, Joseph-carrots, Steven-onions, Martin-rice and I was the Head Man (I got to shred two heads of cabbage). We were a well oiled machine, each wearing a nice apron, and in no time we had food everywhere. I did learn that you need a really big pot for two shredded cabbage heads. Good enough I missed the pot about half the time so actually for two heads a one head pot will do. Irege was supervising
and almost gave himself an injury when he slipped in the puddle of tears that Steven had shed chopping onions. Don with JB and Martin did a superb job on the meat and poultry. I still wonder how that other 1/2 chicken got away. All we had to do was cook it all.

Now the team spread out. Some in our kitchen, some in JB's, and some in the cooking hut. Again we were so efficient that I went and did some counseling, Steven went and did some repair work.
We all came back about 6:00 pm and started setting up for dinner. By seven we were ready and all 43 people had a wonderful meal. Especially if you llike your rice slightly scorched or your posho Cajun style(blackened)All my fault.

We served the women first then the female kids then the male kids and finally the men. Then the men even did the clean up. Dishes were finished by 8:15 and women's day was over. Now I can rest up for next year!

Note: No persons were injured in the making of this event but some aviary and bovine helpers were lost. One person was injured but not during the celebration.(broken bones mend) Thanks to Ryan as advisor to the culinary portion of the day.

Thank you Father for the wondeful blessing of wives, sisters and daughters!