Joseph wanted to make corn chowder. By himself… I walked him through the steps. Chopping, stirring…

Me: So the next step is to taste and adjust the seasoning. So have a taste.

J: Well, let me see… (tastes). Yep, well it tastes a little like the countryside and I want it to taste more like the seaside. I think a little salt will do it. (Adds a pinch of salt and stirs. Tastes.) Mmmmm. Yep, now it reminds me of the seaside. The fresh ocean air.

Me: Ok then. Do you want to add any pepper?

J: No! (Laughs) I don’t want it to taste like an execution chamber! (Rolls eyes)

(We let it simmer a bit.)

J: Can we have a candlelit dinner? For a nice, gourmet experience? And I’ll get napkins, and roll them up with the utensils like they do in restaurants. I think we should have a side meal too. What can we have for a side meal?

Me: A side dish, you mean? I don’t know, what goes with corn chowder?

J: Applesauce, yeah, your homemade applesauce!

Me: Ok, applesauce it is. What kind of music do you want to have?

J: Some nice jazz. One with a saxophone.

Me: How about Coltrane?

J: Sure.

Dinner is served!