MATT’S  MISHAPS

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Often repurposed later as rugs for the front porch, we hang one on our wall – an olive oil filter. They used to stack eight or nine of these filters on each other and compress olives over them for the oil to pass though the layers of thatch. I am sure they use some form of synthetic filter today to get the job done.

“Serving overseas as a small-town boy from America is intense, stressful and humorous! Enjoy a light-hearted story with me from our last 20 years overseas!” – Matt 

Eat where it’s planted

In many ways, my tastes have not changed over the years.  You can’t beat eating summer sweet corn with melting butter on it, or picking and eating a tart apple right from the tree.  However, I have changed in at least one area and now really prefer to eat my salads or fry my eggs in the morning with olive oil.

Having lived in places overseas where olive groves dot the landscape, I realize just how good freshly pressed olive oil is.  Because of this, I used to bring a 5-liter metal can of fresh olive oil in my suitcase when traveling back to small-town America.  Those cans of oil, that looked like gas cans, never leaked and handled the rough trip home very well.

On one trip when leaving from the airport near our home overseas, I was approaching boarding gate after checking in.  I heard my name being called over the PA system at the airport, which had never happened before.  I followed the instructions as to where I should go, and saw a group of military police officers waiting for me.  Without saying why, they had me accompany them in an elevator to the basement level of the airport.  I was walked over to a large open area and saw my suitcase sitting in the middle of the room.  The officers asked me to open my suitcase very slowly.

I approached the suitcase and saw that the officers had formed a circle around me and my bag.  When I began to unfasten the latches to open it, all the officers went into a crouch position with their backs to me.  I disappointed them (and embarrassed them) when I opened the bag and lifted out my olive oil can for them to inspect.  I closed up the bag and they sent me on my way.

I no longer bring cans of olive oil back home to America and have learned to just be content with my corn and apples.

Something similar ever happen to you?   Contact me and let me hear your story!

mattsmishaps@gmail.com    Matt’s Mishaps, PO BOX 114, Grabill, IN  46741