Because that’s how we’ve ALWAYS done it!

How many times have we heard that retort? Way too many….

In this start of summer, our Memorial Day weekend — of friends and family gatherings, school vacations, swimming, or just celebrating life or just because we feel like feasting, many cooks are preparing to grill or bake or cook — perhaps a brisket, roast, poultry, fish, ham, vegetables, or whatever is their fancy.

That reminds me of this story.

A little girl, let’s call her Maisie, was watching her mother prepare the roast. The first thing her mother did was cut off two inches from one end of the roast before she placed it in the roasting pan. Maisie asked, “Why do you cut that off, Mommy?”

Her mom told her that she does it because her mother always used to do it.

“But why,” asked Maisie.

“Well, let’s go and ask your grandmother.”

They did. She told them that she does it because her mother used to do it.

“But why,” asked Maisie.

Well, let’s go ask your great grandmother at the senior care facility where she now lives.

Maisie asked her great grandmother, “Why did you cut two inches off the roast before you roasted it?”

Her great grandmother smiled. She was surprised by the question. “Well, I used you cut off two inches of the roast because otherwise it would not fit in my small roasting pan.”