Our eldest daughter is all decided on college. Those of you who have been through college shopping, wishing and praying know well what this past nine months has been like for our family. In with the dorm accessories and technology I am packing her a copy of M.F.K. Fisher's How to Cook a Wolf. Fisher's breakthrough book, first published during World War II, is a collection of essays on enjoying the humble pleasures of living and dining during times of dearth.

Not only the economic times influence this selection for me. It has hit her dad and I between the eyes to see how little dearth our darlings have had to endure while being raised. But now is a time to rethink our values and I, for one, am optimistic. Like Fisher, our daughter attended the private prep school by the shore where she began writing -- and both favor ambiance over opulence in getting together with friends. I want to see our daughter begin to both begin understand the basics of economy, hosting and simple pleasures and to also appreciate how contemporary is the notion of simple feasting ala the slow food movement. Good for her, good for the planet and decidedly good for conversation which should ease this big transition for her just a bit.