My Precious………

Each year the College of William and Mary holds a Benefit’s Fair…….no rides, no popcorn, no farm animals……just a bunch of vendors who want us to “sign up” with them.  You probably know the drill ~ sign up with our bank today and you get an extra $50 deposited in your account…….or why not start your retirement program…….life insurance anyone……..do you currently have the extended health care package.  Mostly I go for the free stuff they always bring ~ and of course the door prizes.  I did win a cookbook one year ~ the same one they gave out to everyone who attended for free the year before.  I have yet to win one of the most coveted prizes of all……..a free parking pass for an entire year.  I would do cartwheels all the way to the prize desk if they called my name for that jewel!  

One thing I do like about the Benefit’s Fair is they offer a free health screening.  They will evaluate your risk  for certain things, check your blood pressure and cholesterol ~ and give you some cool free goodies.  🙂  I signed up for the screening this year……..and the news was not what I had hoped.  It seems my blood pressure is a bit high……nothing alarming but not in the range it has been for most of my life.  In fact, the nurse taking it attributed it to my walk over (about a mile walk) and all the excitement of the fair.  Sorry, I couldn’t help but think if she thought the Benefit’s Fair was exciting ~ her life must be duller than mine!  Anyhow, I digress…….I knew it was not the walk, nor the excitement……….but it was because of My Precious.

You see……..my salt is My Precious.  I am a salt creature.  I eat salt on almost everything.  There are very few things I do not salt.  We never run out of salt in the house……we will run out of real food before we run out of salt.  I even carry some in the Jeep just in case we get a bite while out.  But now……”your blood pressure is a little high”.  I told myself years ago, when everyone would exclaim as they watched me salt everything how my blood pressure must be sky high ~ but it wasn’t, that if it ever did get elevated I would *gasp* give up salt.  I promised myself when someone finally uttered those dreaded words, I would walk away from salt….My Precious.  Now they have been uttered….and I’m freaking out!   😯     Why did I make such a promise to myself!!  How will I eat my Granny Smith Apples without the delicate dusting of salt…….my eggs……my anything!!   How will I live without My Precious!?!?!  My mind is thinking quick, Google and see if they make “good for you” salt…..but I know it is a lost cause.  Salt substitutes don’t cut it………there is no substitute for My Precious.

Of course, since they did say the dreaded words……I have felt like my heart is going to beat out of my chest and the words “a little bit high” are doing a little sing song over and over in my head…..it is frightening me enough that I know what I must do.  So, I’m sitting here at my desk, enjoying a Granny Smith Apple……lightly dusted with My Precious….savoring every delicious bite……for the last time.  I will miss you…….my salt………My Precious.  😥