When I butter toast, I almost always think of John K, who once came to visit and put his buttered toast back in the machine for a little last heat. It came out sizzling and bubbly butter, chewy and delicious. While I don't always re-toast mine once buttered, I always think of him. And I wonder if he realizes that such a tiny moment for all we've done together over the years would revisit me like that, so many a morning. My pal Colleen had me over for dinner when I lived in California. She was pregnant and making one of her super healthy dinners.... And while I'd made asparagus many times, she said, "Look, instead of cutting of the bottoms before steaming, you just run your thumb up the stalk until it snaps naturally." In that moment I learned that the asparagus itself will let you know the point where the tough becomes tender. Now I grow asparagus and as I snap them off from the ground, or take them from where I store them to cook, I think of Colleen -I can s...