The Ketchup Advisory Board

Daddy had to meet with board members for a larger part of the day, which sounds all important - but the translation here is that he didn't get to spend too much time with Madison until we got home. But that's when Daddy decided it was time to go for a joyride somewhere. Anywhere but here!

An accident on Browns Bridge Road literally stopped us from going to Gainesville, so we drove south and decided to go eat at the Golden Corral. Madison loves that restaurant, and we tend to pick it because she's such a picky eater sometimes. A buffet affords us the luxury of trying different options when one particular food isn't interesting her.

For example, macaroni and cheese used to be her favorite. But now she doesn't eat it all the time. Sometimes it is just the way that other people make it that turns her off. The same can be said for grilled cheese sandwiches. The other day we went to Panera, and Madison just wasn't interested in that grilled cheese sandwich. That was almost sacrilegious for Daddy, who nearly worships grilled cheese sandwiches!

So what food has been constant with her? Beets. That's right: Beets. She'll eat those in a flash. She also likes strawberries, and corn on the cob has been something she'll always get into. Cherry tomatoes are also always in season when it comes to Madison.

French fries - amazingly - are now off the list. She doesn't really want them. She does, however, like chicken strips. Especially when you can dip them - and that's where the most special ingredient of all comes in:

Ketchup. It's the most powerful eating tool there is. Take any item that you don't like, but add ketchup and it is suddenly manageable to Madison. She eats a lot with ketchup, and sometimes it is something that really isn't supposed to be eaten with ketchup in the first place. It doesn't matter to her. Occasionally, you'll catch her just dipping her fingers into a bit of ketchup. Perhaps she knows something important: Ketchup contains natural mellowing agents that help you get over any fuss. And its festive red color really brightens up almost any dish.

"Ketchup. For the good times." -Garrison Keillor