I’m shocked by the number of people I know who say they don’t cook. The number is down since I moved to Virginia, but it’s still high. I happen to know that they don’t eat out every meal, and most of them are showing no signs of starvation, so I have to question their statement. I think that translates to something more along the lines of “I don’t cook well”, but maybe it’s “I cook badly” or “I’m a horrible cook”.

In the spirit of full disclosure I must say I’m not a great cook myself, but I try. I’ve had some successes, and some failures, but I keep trying. I’m getting so I can make a decent soup, my chili is actually getting pretty good. I’ve tried baking a little in recent years, I managed to make an apple pie from scratch last year that was pretty good.

What I don’t understand about the “don’t cook” crowd is the pride they seem to show when they say it. To me would be an embarrassment. It’s not really that difficult to be a reasonable cook. To be great takes talent and hard work, but the basics aren’t that difficult. I’m also somebody who tries hard to be as self sufficient as possible. Not being able to do something that is necessary for my survival would drive me nuts. I realize I don’t need to cook to survive, but someone has to do it. I need to know how.

It’s amazing how many day to day life skills people just let slide by. They eat a breakfast that they didn’t cook, get dressed in clothes they didn’t make, and drive to work in a car that they couldn’t fix if their life depended on it. I know the basics of cooking. My father taught me to sew, and to fix cars. A lot of things like car repair I pay other people to do, but I know something about it. How can these people go through life dependent on skills of so many others. The thought of being proud that they don’t cook is so foreign to me that I have difficulty grasping the concept. Those of us who learn the skills which keep us alive and healthy can always choose not to use them. I know how to fix a car, but I don’t. I can do most household repairs, and sometimes I do. I can cook, but usually don’t. I can sew, but don’t. Without the knowledge these skills though, the choices are made for you. You are putting yourself at them mercy of others. This is your life, if you aren’t in control, who is?