How often can you say you’ve had the best burrito you’ve ever had in over 45 years of eating Mexican food? Well, this is what happened yesterday. Let me tell you about it. I had a late lunch with my wife, mother-in-law and my wife’s uncle and aunt. The place was called Sol y Luna. Sun and Moon. This burrito was so damn good it warrants explaining. Let me explain. It’s just chicken refried beans cheese avocado and salsa. Wrapped in a flour tortilla. Topped with a mild orange sauce with hints of orange and spice. And melted cheese. Let’s not forget the melted cheese rolling down the sides of the big fat log of a burrito on an oval white plate. And a slice, just a sliver of orange tucked on the side. Yes.

But it’s the chicken. It’s the chicken baby. Pollo asado. Roasted chicken with spices. I don’t know what spices. It defies description. I’m trying to describe it for you. Tiny chunks of roasted chicken breast so tender and juicy I’m up at 4 a.m. singing its praises. Charred little chunks of pollo asado. I poured fresh smoked salsa on it as well. I had gotten (got?) it before. This was my second time at this restaurant. And I decided to get the same thing two times in a row. I didn’t want to get the burrito again. There were many other things on the menu. But I did. And I’m happy. It was tender, juicy, flavorful and just right.

And that’s that.

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Let us live each moment as if it were our last. How often have you heard this phrase? Are you tired of it? I sometimes get tired of it. I’m tired of trite phrases, live your best life, and live each moment, be grateful, today’s a new day, turn over a new leaf and blah blah blah. But today, this morning, at 4:14 a.m. on a Monday, in October in 2022, I’m a full convert. I truly now believe this is IT. This is the moment. The defining moment. The number one moment. The ONLY moment. NOW is the ONLY moment there is. That’s from a book called The Course in Miracles. I’ve been dipping my eyes and soul into this book, these three books really for over 35 years.

And it’s true. I am turning a page in my life. I’m turning the corner. Rounding the bend. Going into a new phase. I want to commit to savoring each moment. Like each bite of that burrito. Tender, juicy moments. If you have a moment with no pain, with no suffering. With a roof over your head, food in your belly, breathing, hearing, seeing, feeling, able to go to the bathroom with no assistance, then damnit, appreciate that. And I’m not a preaching appreciator. I’m not an appreciation preacher. I’m preaching but only to myself. I’m only singing to you.

Know what i mean…?

****** 

I can’t save the world. I tried. I thought I could. What a foolish folly. I thought I, little ‘ol me, could save the world. Is this what happens when you’re young? You think you can actually turn the tide in men’s, women’s, people’s hearts? I don’t think this is so. I think there are this many people on one side and that many on the other. The world rocks back and forth like a boat filled with crazies and kooks and just generally all-around good people and we’re all rockin’ and rollin’ down the river in time, stuck on a ball of rock and blue and green and we’re singin’ and hurling stones and pomes and love songs at each other as we make our way through eternity.

So today, i give up saving the world. I’m just a singin’ fool with 10 fingers and keyboard and a lot of coffee in my gullet.

I’m just going to sway back and forth and pick my imaginary guitar strings and play some blues and soul for ya.

I want to be jerry Garcia on the keyboard, the computer keyboard. I want joy. Nothing but joy and blues and sorrow and strength and sadness and soul to come forth.

And I’ll serve it up with some chips and salsa. Straight from my soul.

Oh, what a bunch of shit. But hey, it sounds good.

©2022 Bruce Palma. All rights reserved.