Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs

Tonight I realized I missed a meeting early in the week and two zooms today, and suddenly thought: “Did I ever write a blog?” (Uh, no). I thought of the theme from the old sitcom “Frasier,” “Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs.” If you’ll recall, Dr. Frasier was the sometimes pompous, sometimes a bit scrambled himself,  but ultimately kind psychiatrist with a call-in advice show.

I discovered the following explanation of the theme from the songwriter himself, Bruce Miller:

 “Hey baby I hear the blues a-callin”-refers to patients with troubles calling into the radio show
“Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs” (mixed up things)
“But maybe I seem a bit confused”-Frasier’s personality was a bit????
“Maybe, but I got you pegged”-Frasier does understand these people and helps them.
“But I don’t know what to do with those Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs”-it’s a tough business….gotta deal with these “crazies” every day.
“They’re calling again”-oh, oh….should be self explanatory.

I had spent much of Sunday evening working out details of an airline ticket for Terry to fly home for the funeral of our sister-in-law.  We had gotten up before 4:30 Monday morning to drive to the airport for his flight out.  I sit here now as I type this, watching the clock for the time I must leave to go pick him up.  But I have been home with my duties here and really was unaware I was apparently so affected by these events. 

Perhaps you’ve had these times too.  The worst I ever had was after my mother died and I couldn’t recall how to operate the washer and dryer.  I remember standing in front of them feeling completely mystified and overwhelmed. And, as I write this, I am thinking that this past week was also the anniversary of my mother’s death and of her funeral. (Hmmmm…… do you think these things might be related, Dr. Frasier?)

There is a quote that states “Self-awareness allows one to self-correct.”  I advocate paying attention but failed to do so myself, even as, looking back, I was feeling some sense of strain.  Someone even said to me “You look so tired.  Are you okay?”  It pays to pay attention! Not only did I miss my own cues, I disregarded those of others.

As we navigate our lives, may we give our minds and bodies the honor they are due, and care for them accordingly. 

May we be bearers of hope, the “wait staff” of Hope’s Café for each other and all those we encounter.  Shalom, Kate

Hope’s Café Bonus: Ben Franklin said “There are three things extremely hard:  steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self.”