I was very annoyed earlier this week when I went to the allergist and learned that, in fact, I don’t just have an oral allergy to stonefruit and apples (it varies from annoying to scary, depending on the fruit). I am now also allergic to hazelnuts and, possibly, almonds. I had a feeling about the hazelnuts ever since last summer, but it’s different having your allergist look alarmed at your scratch test results and prescribe you an epi-pen.

Why am I so upset? What it really is, is that I don’t want to be That Person in a restaurant, who makes the waiter’s life difficult, who holds up ordering for everyone else, and can never eat anything the way the chef wants it to be served. I want to be the sort of eater who can go into a restaurant and say, “bring me whatever the chef wants to cook.” I want to be able to eat anything that’s put in front of me with interest and enjoyment. I do not want to be afraid of my food. And every time I find out that I can’t eat something, I feel less like myself.

Right. Whine over.

But if you’re reading this, eat some peaches and hazelnuts for me. I miss them.