It
is interesting to think about how much food is associated with the progression
of a person’s life. From childhood to the time where one may have a family, the
types of food you eat can act as a symbol of what you want in your life. One of
my favorite quotes from my uncle is as follows: “If I have to choose to believe
someone’s words or their actions, I’ll always choose their actions.” There
couldn’t be a better part of life to apply this than food. People say they can
change the way they eat, but the things you eat define who you are and the
memories you possess. The things people eat are the most concrete actions in
day-to-day life; no matter what you say about your diet, or lack there of, the
only thing that matters is what you end up eating.
For
me, the only food item that I can completely define myself by is a fish called
walleye. Minnesota doesn’t have too many things that just scream, “this is such
a Minnesotan thing”, aside from the ridiculous amounts of lakes and a heavy
accent, but the walleye is one of the most prized fish to catch and eat in my
home state of Minnesota. The reason this fish has been such an important part
of my life is that I have been catching and eating this fish for my entire life,
and the people/occasions in which I eat it encompass every aspect of my home.
Whether it be fish frys with my cousins in the summer, fishing for them with my
best friends, cooking them one the grill with my dad at our hunting camp, or
bonding with the people from my hometown at festivals and fishing opener. This
fish is the source of so many of my memories as a very young child all the way
through today. When I think back to all the great summers I’ve been apart of,
this fish is one of the biggest pivot points I can think of. How can an entire
three-month period of time be summed up by one food item? This is a result of
the cultural actions held amongst Minnesotans. Again, I think it is important
to note the distinction between talking about different cultures and foods, but
it means so much more when these conversations become experiences through
actions.
The
best part about a meal like walleye is that it can hold such diverse memories
for a person. I remember going to my grandparent’s cabin, which is in one of
the furthest northeastern towns in Minnesota, when I was about five years old.
My uncle and my dad took me out on the boat to go walleye fishing very early in
the morning. It is always so exciting getting up earlier then the sun to go
spend time with people who mean the most to you. We stayed out on the lake for
the entire day catching really big walleye in a lake that is hardly known for
the walleye population. We all caught our limit by 5 pm, so we drove back to
the cabin to clean the fish for one of the most memorable fish frys I have ever
been apart of. Being with my family in the most beautiful place I’ve been to
while eating some amazing fish that you caught hours before is a really fun
feeling. As I grew older, these times kept being slightly altered from the
last, however, the walleye was always the common denominator. I went to my
dad’s friends place for fishing opener. This weekend in Minnesota is very
hectic and exciting as a result of the cold May water temperatures and crisp,
unpredictable weather. This place was one I had never seen anything like in my
life: a cabin on the water that was strictly used for fishing weekends like we
had on our hands. Being only 13 years old, I was pretty unaware of the
festivities that were being had by the surplus of middle-aged men, but I had
been fishing my whole life so I was excited for what lied ahead in the morning.
The fishing was spectacular as a result of frantic fish being taunted by
thousands of fishermen. This memory carries different memories for me for a few
reasons. It was changed from a whole family event to one with just my dad. This
means even more after he moved out and my parents got a divorce a few years
ago. It is hard to look back on this memory because of how much hurt he caused
my sisters, mom, and myself. This is contrasted with such an amazing time up at
the fishing cabin. Even though these are different memories, I still have my
culture that is formed from this wonderful fish. Now these more confusing
memories are replaced by walleye fishing with my best friends on our own boats
or fishing with my friends dad’s near Canada, carrying on the traditions of our
culture.
Like
I said, no matter what people tell you, the best thing to believe about a
person is their actions. That is why the walleye will continue to be apart of
my identity in the future; it will always stand as the link between every
aspect of my life. Despite the changes as we grow up, there needs to be a way
to define who you are and your culture.
I liked the quote you put in the intro, and I think your story of the walleye is remarkable and intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you tied the walleye in so personally with your family in regards to your dad. That made it intriguing and was an interesting connection. I found it interesting that fishing is such a common thing in Minnesota. I love fishing, so I'd definitely like to go there and visit sometime after reading your paper. I was a little confused about your last sentence about your dad not fishing there anymore. It doesn't seem to really tie in, but maybe if you re-worded the sentence is might fit better. There were also a few typos that should be checked out.
ReplyDeleteNice job getting into your story with your first paragraph. I thought that you did well to convey just how big of a part walleye has played in your life, and in the lives of other Minnesotans. I also was a little confused about your last sentence but overall your point was made and came across nicely. Solid performance.
ReplyDelete