Wonder if he ever realized this dream?

But I can explain. Sort of.

I grew up on a small ranch in Texas; my Mom is native Texan, and my Father considered himself good as native, since his parents moved there when he was just five.

Both liked a fair part of typical southern fare (Mom more than Weird Dad, but never mind).

Mom LOVES Spam. And I guess that’s why I do. (Then why does my Onliest Sister puke at the thought?) Me? No PROBLEM.

I’ve lived in Asia nearly a quarter of a century, so can confirm that people do indeed love the stuff. Well, the local varieties anyway. (Spam itself is very expensive — but that’s one of the chief reason it does indeed make a fine, fine gift.

I love a lot of dishes no self-proclaimed, self-respecting Texan would come within a country mile of. Hundred year old eggs. Sea cucumber, which most Westerners tend to call “sea slug.” I even got used to being served some chicken dishes that involve the chicken prepared whole. As in “whole enchilada.” Feet and head included. In China, etiquette demands the chicken dish be placed such that the chicken can look the guest of honor in the eye. (I married a native of Beijing when I lived there, and my Mother-in-law made a big, big deal of this if one of those dishes was served at Sunday Family Day lunch or supper. Being the only “Foreign Devil” in the family, I and Miss Chicken of the day invariably spent some time gazing at each other.) Fish are served with the head intact, so Mr. Fish can stare balefully up with you out of one eye.

Yes, I’ve eaten a lot of snake, and some turtle soup (but I’ve had that in Texas), and what have you. As for Weird Dad, he instilled in me a lifelong love for stuff like heart-and-kidney pie, head cheese, and what have you.

So, maybe Spam is one of the more “normal” things I live! ;-)

I loved this piece. (Does it show?)

S pare
P arts
A nd
M eat