I've been on the road most of the week (I still am until tomorrow). During my trip I have seen a lot of cactus plants on roadsides next to mountains, which have reminded me of my dad and taking family vacations to Mexico when I was a child. I also have cactus in my back yard, so when he comes over he likes to cut pieces to cook and eat. Although my dad has used cactus for food for as long as I can remember, I still have not tried to eat it. It has never looked appetizing to me and I never noticed any kind of aroma for an idea of what the flavor might be like. I've never been a coward about trying "odd" kinds of foods, and this is the first time that I've realized that I could be missing out on something.
I usually spend Thanksgiving with him, so I thought about him a lot while I have been gone. When I think of what family means and what it should be, I look to him as an example. The cactus painting, with the hands reaching towards it with a knife (by Carmen Lomas Garza), reminded me of both my grandparents and my father. After initially drawing this, I felt a peaceful and familiar feeling about my own family and the things that make them happy. Since Thanksgiving is about being grateful, I think that in drawing this, I was expressing my own gratitude.
Since I have mostly been able to draw this inside a car, I plan on adding more details and color to it before the time comes to submit my sketch book.
I'm surprised you haven't tried the cactus your dad cuts! When I was a little kid, I was also iffy about trying it, but ended up loving it. My parents have a cactus plant in their front yard and whenever the cactus is ready, they cut it, cut the thorns off, and prepare it for cooking. Sometimes they cook it on the stove and sometimes the grill it. They mix it with tomato and onion or add salt and lemon onto it when it's grilled. Anyway, it's delicious and it reminds me of my parents too!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to try it!
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