Deeper thinking: Answers to my own questions

One of the questions I ask my interviewee each week in Sunday Conversation is, "What do you like best about Bedford County and, if you could change one thing, what would it be?" (Sunday Conversation appears on 1B every Sunday. Contact me if you'd like to nominate a person for this fun Q&A.)

Some questions I ask are silly and simple, such as "What is the strangest food you like?" while others are deeper, like, "What would you consider to be one great truth about life?" I fire these questions off to my interviewee each Friday, and usually request they have their answers to me within a few days.

I got to thinking a couple days ago ... I expect people to answer these questions, but I'm not even sure how I would answer some of them myself.

I like all kinds of food, but I'm not sure if I have any favorites that are really strange. Hmmm ... one of my favorite vegetables is brussels sprouts -- do they count? I like to eat boiled peanuts with my husband (strange to me, since I'd never had them until I moved south). I've eaten my share of kimchi -- strange but not desirable. Is it strange to dip pizza into blue cheese dressing?

To each his own.

One question I ask in Sunday Conversation, however, that I can answer easily is, "If you could change one thing about Bedford County, what would it be?"

Before I share a few of my thoughts on that, I have to reveal my favorite response, from an interviewee, to that question. Barbara Morgan simply said she would love to be able to buy a white spool of thread in Bedford County.

Yes, Barbara, wouldn't that be nice?

I've learned that since its remodeling, Walmart no longer sells sewing materials.

My immediate response to my own question was grocery stores. Oh, what I wouldn't do for a grocery store that had a fresh seafood counter. Maybe I'd be able to shed a few pounds if I could purchase a fresh salmon filet to grilI, instead of the fattening rib eyes that usually catch my eye.

I would also be able to buy fresh Mozzarella -- the Mozzarella that comes in the form of a large ball in liquid. It sounds gross, but there is no comparison between fresh mozzarella and the oversalted block certain stores label as fresh.

I would also love to be able to buy tahini in Shelbyville. Tahini is a sesame paste, and it's the key ingredient in fresh hummus.

Speaking of food, I would love some more restaurants in town. Or, rather, I would like to have two more restaurants in town to add to what we already have. I'd love to have a greasy spoon type of diner. Diners are plentiful where I grew up, and when I think of a greasy spoon, I think of turkey clubs or hot turkey sandwiches with gravy and French fries, awesome grilled sandwiches, hot dogs, killer breakfasts, and homemade soups and fresh baked pies.

I would like a nice bistro on the square. The menu need not be extensive, but rather could feature just a few entrees at a time, prepared to perfection, that feature seasonal fresh ingredients. The setting could be casual but nice. A decent wine list would be icing on the cake.

Next, I would like to see people take more responsibility for their garbage. I live in the county and have about a 10-minute drive to work everyday. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen trash lining the roads on the outskirts of Shelbyville. In fact, last week, I actually saw a garbage bag in the middle of the road on a sharp curve with nasty waste spilling out of it. Not only was it an eyesore, but it was an accident waiting to happen. This problem is not isolated to county roads as, just a few months ago, I saw garbage all over North Cannon Boulevard.

I would also like to see vacant buildings around town become of some use to the community. We've been fortunate to have several new schools built over the last couple of years, a new hospital and several new businesses on North Main Street, many that have just shifted from Madison to Main streets. What about all the old, empty, lifeless buildings on Madison Street that seem to be forgotten about as soon as the pretty new structures are in place? If I were driving down Madison I would think I'd found a ghost town.

Finally, I would like to see more of a variety of people get involved. Because of my position at the paper, I am out and about often covering events and fundraisers. It seems as if it's always the same core group of folks constantly volunteering their time to improve the lives of their neighbors. I would love to see new faces out there volunteering along with the core group of folks I've grown to admire and appreciate.

With that said, the Duck River Clean-Up last Sunday was a great success with more than 200 volunteers participating in the clean-up of a Bedford County lifeline. I saw many faces I'd never seen before and congratulate those who came out to help such an important cause.

To you, Sadie Says keep up the good work. I hope to see you at another event soon!

-- Sadie Fowler is lifestyles editor at the Times-Gazette. Her columns, Sadie Says and Simply Delish, run every Sunday. If you would like to submit a recipe, contact Fowler at sfowler@t-g.com or 684-1200 ext. 214.