Old Men And Food

The other day I had to go to the supermarket. Actually, I think it is fair to assume that I go to the supermarket six days out of seven.

Maybe I should start the post with "on day two at the supermarket".

Anyway, I was at that place standing in a queue and was watching this elderly gentleman in front of me get his food out from the trolley and place it on the belt for the cashier to whizz through.

He was about 75 or older. He was wearing a light brown jacket, beige trousers, cap sat on his almost hairless head. I could see his hearing aide tucked behind his left ear. Creases in the back of his neck. Shiny brown shoes, not new but well kept. He chatted to the girl as she packed his food into cloth bags.

I wondered if he was married. I adjusted my pose and glanced at his left hand and saw a gold band. At the same time saw his watch, sturdy silver thing with a worn leather strap.

As he took the food from his trolley I thought to myself that although he was married, I wondered if his wife was alive, or still at home. The food he chose was that of a man who was not caring that well for himself.

Packet of low grade mince meat, generic shortbread biscuits, processed cheese slices, couple more packets of no name biscuits, two meat pies that were also no name brands and a packet of sugar free eucalyptus hard lollies. Did he know they were sugar free? Did he stand and read that back of the packet for the nutritional information?

Some milk and a packet of tea leaves. Finally two loaves of brown bread that I had seen on special. No fruit or vegetables in sight. But then, he may get those at the green grocer's.

Makes his own tea. In a pot. Likes his biscuits with it. Maybe toast for breakfast? He might have marmalade at home. He looked like a marmalade man. Toasted cheese at lunch? Mince and potatoes for dinner. Meat pie as a treat. The lollies for a blocked nose as they were eucalyptus. Maybe just a treat.

I think I am right because my father in law had pretty much the same things in his shopping basket. He also would have a packet of sausages now and then. Pop up the street and get himself fish and chips. Now and then he would make pot of vegetable soup. But as he got older, that was not so regular. And after my mother in law died it did get less motivating for him to cook well.

Despite my offers of healthy meals, he preferred to do his own thing when it came to food. Fair enough. Surely we can get to an age where we can eat what we like. But he did have a massive stroke and lives in the nursing home now.

Besides, sometimes older people have their own ideas about food. Good old fashioned food. None of that fancy stuff. Food that fed generations before we got all these experts. Also killed off plenty, but that is not important. Comfort food.

You know, although I understand how we all have to eat well, exercise and live a healthy life, I wonder if, at a certain age, you just get sick of it.

Sick of moderating your drink? Making a conscious decision before you put food in your mouth. Making sure you got off your bum and exercised. Resisted the addictive puff of a cigarette with your morning coffee (which would have to be decaf). A life of being mindful of the body we are born with. Amongst all the other stresses in life.

So, one day you just think that you might eat half a packet of biscuits. Or a big bowl of icecream. And some chocolate. More bread, and white bread at that. Thick layer of salty, yellow butter on top of fresh white bread. Then some jam. And another slice. Plus another one whilst you watch the midday movie. Mmmmm.

A nice pie for dinner. With some buttery mashed potato. So tasty. You can say what you like, steamed fish and vegetables will never quite hit the spot like a meat pie with flaky pastry hot out of the oven. Or a warm sausage roll from the bakery followed by a custard tart, the top sprinkled with nutmeg.

Just curious you know. At what point in time do you honestly not give a shit.

I am not there as yet, not even near there.

But I am wondering if there is such a time.

Just thinking about that hot meat pie.

Ciao
LC