NO SALT, PEPPER, KETCHUP ETC. IN DINING ROOM. DON’T EVEN ASK. OUR FOOD IS EXPERTLY MADE BY NEW ORLEANS TRAINED CHEFS. NO IMPROVEMENT IS NEEDED. –Bones
This sign has always hung over the door at Mr. Bones BBQ out on Anna Maria Island. Mr. Bones is one of my most favorite places not only in Florida, but in the whole world. It’s not for everyone—you pick your beer out of a coffin. But for those who undertake a pilgrimage there is an extensive and diverse menu, all excellent choices. But I must confess that I seldom have anything but the Chicken Shish Kebab w/Rice Biryani, which is described thus: “From India; Amazing! Chicken marinated with 12 Indian spices. Flame grilled with onion, mushrooms, green pepper, and tomato. Served with our special rice biryani, accompanied by mango and coriander chutneys and cucumber yogurt raita (no side dishes).” Not many things in this world that say they are amazing really are, meaning you can get lost in them, but this is.
Don’t ask for anything to doctor it up, however, because you won’t get it. No salt. No pepper. And—God help you!—no ketchup. The food at Mr. Bones BBQ isn’t perfect—but it is as perfect as it can be made. No improvement is needed. You probably have some little places you go to that you like a lot, but they will have to go some to beat Mr. Bones BBQ. And do they serve General Moe’s Watercress with curried rice there, or Congo Chicken, or an incomparable Homemade Bread Pudding to end all puddings? Probably not. Oh I wish I could take you to Mr. Bones, beloved. Tonight.
But the truth is that the whole world is full of pleasures both ordinary and exotic on which no improvement is needed. At the conclusion of his creation the Bible says, “God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). Of course that was before sin got hold of things and messed them up, adding too much salt and dumping blood like ketchup all over the perfection of things. But I still hold that nature is “graced”–that that essential, original goodness still clings to things, like early morning dew, especially to the things over which we have the least control.
We focus altogether too much on what is wrong, and regularly look for what could be changed to suit us better. But there is a sign hanging over the creation, beloved—No improvement needed. It is invisible, but it is there. In our prayers we do not often enough glorify God for the extravagant goodness of things as they are, the quotidian blessings of the sensual world. But we should.
The difference between a joyous life and one that is less than happy is the simple word “gratefulness”–gratefulness for what is. A lot of time is wasted talking about living in the now, not in the past or in the future. But what exactly do you do in the now to sanctify it? How do you fill this present moment? It is as easy as it is difficult. You give thanks for what is, for the universe of things, created good. And for human creativity, which mirrors the divine—in science, in the arts, in the love and service of ordinary people, and—can we forget—in food. So, beloved, give thanks for the physical beauty and savor of the world.
Oh, and before I forget, Mr. Bones has a full vegan menu. But if you should ever go there for heaven’s sake, if you can, try the ribs.
holyessays 