Friends

Friend

Here you see my best friend in the LSU sweater I crocheted her. She is a rabid fan. She even dresses up in her LSU gear when she’s watching the game alone. We worked together for many years. I always knew it was going to be a good day when we worked together. She’s moved away now but we make a point to get together a few times a year. Even a bad day at work was a good day with her.

Grandma and Minnie

Grandma and Grandpa lived next to Minnie and Amalie in Austin, Texas.  Minnie and Amalie had immigrated from Mexico fairly recently and spoke very little English, but that didn’t hamper their friendship.  Grandma and Minnie had coffee every morning, chatting over recipes, patterns, housework, and their shared garden plot.

It didn’t matter that Grandma spoke not a word of Spanish and Minnie knew little English.  They’d check out each other’s tomatoes, peppers, and flowers, chattering like nobody’s business. Though I was a small child when we visited there, I remember fondly that Minnie trusted me push her pretty, black-eyed baby around the yard in her stroller.I was so proud to be a big girl.

Sometimes I followeed Grandpa and Amalie  around as they smoked hand-rollled cigarettes and worked at some project in the yard or dug in the garden.  One day they made me a chair by nailing two apple crates end-to-end.  I sat in that chair as long as I could squeeze into it.  I learned my first Spanish when Amalie hammered his finger and cursed in Spanish.  Though I didn’t know Spanish, cursing in any language is cursing. I admired cursing and was always on the  alert for a tasty tidbit, since I didn’t get to hear it at home.

I was intrigued at hearing Minnie and Amalie talk, my introduction to a foreign language.  I’d jabber along, thinking, I was speaking Spanish, stopping periodically to ask Grandma or Minnie to interpret what I’d said for me.I wish we all got on with our neighbors so well.  We shared a lovely meal of Grandma’s greens, pork chops and cornbread and Minnes’s tamales and beans one special evening.  I didn’t care much for the greens, but I’ll never forget the bite of Minnie’s spicy tortillas.

Southern Baptist Dinner on the Grounds: A Culinary Tradition

My favorite days in my Southern Baptist upbringing were “Dinner on the Grounds” after church. On these rare and glorious days, all the women brought their finest dishes to be spread out on picnic tables, or in earlier times, tablecloths or quilts on the church lawn. Competition was fierce to be recognized as the best of the best. People strolled among the entrees, choosing foods that looked the tastiest.

Fried chicken was the most popular offering but the aroma of mouth-watering meatloaf beckoned the hungry. Chicken and dumplings tempted ravenous worshippers. Huge bowls of potato salad, greens, and homegrown green beans with slabs of bacon made a show. Squash casseroles, sliced homegrown tomatoes, cucumbers, homemade pickles of all kinds, and sliced onions tempted the adults. No self-respecting kid would have wasted stomach room on vegetables when there was fried chicken and dessert to be had. Of course, there was homemade rolls, biscuits, and cornbread to be slathered with butter.

Dessert tempted even the pickiest eater: chocolate, coconut, pineapple upside down cake and pound cake vied for attention. Tables groaned under the weight of lemon meringue, chocolate, apple, and sweet potato pies. There might even be a mock-apple pie. Finally, there might be homemade vanilla or peach ice-cream, the favorite dessert of them all.

After lunch, men congregated to discuss farming, fishing, or politics. The women gathered around picnic tables to discreetly nurse or rock their babies while gossiping or discussing their husbands or children. Of course, dresses and babies were admired. They might tacitly calculate the date a new wife’s baby was due. This could be discussed at leisure at morning coffee with friends later in the week.

Hysterically happy children ripped about the churchyard and cemetery after dinner. Initially, parents tried to curb them but usually gave up and let them race about as the heavy lunch took its toll on parental energy. There would be howling kids and skinned knees as the afternoon dragged on. By the time clean up was complete, play weary children’s whining and irritability made it clear that the festivities were nearing their end. Women promised to exchange dress patterns and recipes while men said their farewells. A wonderful afternoon would be at its end.

Lou and Lynn Part 10 Aunt Kat’s Comforting Visit: A Bedtime Story

The girls headed back to the bedroom. Lynn’s mom sat down and patted the bed beside her. Lou sat next to her. Lynn sat on the other side of Lou holding Lynn’s hand. Lynn’s mom put her arm around Lynn. “First of all, let’s get comfortable. My name is Kathy. My nickname is Kat. Would you like to call me Aunt Kat? That seems a lot closer than Miss Kat. I think we’re gonna feel like family before we get you home. We will get this figured out, somehow. It’s really confusing now but I can tell you and your grandma love each other a lot. She’s not the kind of person to forget about someone she loves. You can bet on that.
That sheriff is not taking you anywhere. You’re staying right here with us. How else would your grandma find you? Now don’t you worry. I’ll take care of you just like you were my own. Lynn, get Lou one of your nightgowns. There’s plenty of room for both of you in Lynn’s big bed. See this pretty quilt on the bed. My grandma made it for my wedding present. You two girls can play till bedtime. You are guaranteed to sleep sweetly under it. I’ll be back to tuck you in.”

Lou felt so much better. Lynn spread out her Chinese Checker set out on the floor. In a few minutes they were giggling. I’ve never seen this game.” said Lou. “It’s a lot of fun! I usually just play on my IPad.”

“Oh, I don’t have to play this on a special pad. Me and Billy usually just sit on the floor. Mother doesn’t want us to play on the bed.” Lynn explained.

Lou laughed, “An IPad is an electronic tablet that has lots of games on it. I play with mine all the time. Do you have a tablet?”

“Sure, I have tablets but I have to save them for school. I save my old papers to draw pictures on and play tic tac toe and hangman. Do you like to draw pictures?” Lynn asked.

“Yeah. What do you draw?” Lou asked. “I like to do monsters and robots. Sometimes I do really good robots crashing down buildings and bridges.” said Lou.

“ I do really good horses and mountains. Sometimes I do cowboys camping or wagon trains. Do you want to have a contest? That would be fun!” Lynn jumped up and got some paper and pencils. They lay on the floor and sketched. Then Lynn’s mother came in with a plate of peanut butter sandwiches. She also brought cups of cocoa.

“Thanks, Mother.” Said Lynn.

“Yes, thanks, Aunt Kat” repeated Lou.

“You girls didn’t eat much supper, so I brought you a snack. What’s this?” she asked, looking at their pictures. These are really good!

“We’re having a drawing contest! Who wins?” asled Lynn.

“Don’t make me choose.” she said. “You are both really good. Lou, I believe I saw a little smile. Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, “she smiled. “I am. I know Grandma will be back for me.”

“There you go. I’m sure she will. Now, clean up and go to bed. Don’t talk too long. We have a busy day tomorrow.” She kissed them both and tucked them in.

“Mother, you always say that.” giggled Lynn.

“That’s because tomorrow is always a busy day. Good night, girls.” she closed the door quickly.

“Your mom is nice.“ said Lou.

“Yeah, she is.” said Lynn.

“But your dad’s a little scary.” Lynn told her.

“Yep.” said Lynn.

Lou and Lynn Part 1 Memorable Moments: Riding Bikes with Grandma

Grandma was old and slow but could be cool sometimes. She was funny, always ready to play with Lou. Best of all, when Lou they got to spend the night together, Grandma told her stories. Not the “once upon a time kind” but stories about when Grandma was a kid. She must have been a cool kid from the tales she told. The stories went on until Lou went to sleep.


Grandma was horrible at video games, so one day they decided to find something else to do.
Once they got outside, Grandma was worried about riding a scooter. She poked along on an old bicycle, wobbling every time she hit a little bump. “Whoa! Don’t go off and leave me!” It was hard to ride that slowly. Lou rode in circles so Grandma could keep up.

They didn’t get too far before Grandma needed a break. It must be exhausting being that old. Lou was dizzy from the circling anyway. As they parked under a tree and dug into their snack bags, a bolt of lightning split the sky, Thunder crashed all around them. Soon, it was raining so hard they couldn’t see as far as the road. Lou wished she was safe at home with her parents.

Grandma was upset. “There was’t a cloud in the sky when we left! How did this pop up?”

”What are we gonna do? Lou asked. “I’m scared!”

”I don’t like it either” Grandma said. Just then, another ear-splitting crash of thunder rattled the sky.

The next thing Lou knew, she was picking herself up off the ground, surrounded by fallen pears. Grandma must have been scared and run off. Lou was surprised. She didn’t think Grandma could get out of sight that fast, The sun came out. As Lou looked around, a girl fell out of the tree, almost on top of her. She dusted off her shorts and picked up a couple of pears. “Wow! You have a bike. I wish I had a bike! Do you want a pear?”
Lou had never had a pear straight from a tree, nor even seen a pear tree.

“Nah! I’ve got a juice box and some grapes in my backpack.” When Lou looked around, neither her backpack nor Grandma was anywhere in sight.

”Where am I? Where’s my grandma? She was just here.” Lou was confused.

”You’re on my family’s farm and I never saw your Grandma. We’ll look around for her. What’s your name? I’m Lynn. Come on!”

“I’m Lou and I have to find Grandma I don’t remember being this far from town. There’s not even a real road here.” Lou kicked a rock out of the dirt road.

“Come on, Lou. It looks like a break in the rain! Let’s get in the barn before we get soaked!” Lynn took off running, her ponytail bouncing. Her bare feet kicked up a dust. How in the world could she run like than on rocks?

Rain pelted the girls as they dashed in the huge barn doors. As Lou’s eyes got used to the shadows, she saw dust dancing in the sunbeams in through the big open doors. The strange smell made her sneeze. Huge stacks of hay were stacked high up the barn walls, reaching all the way to the ceiling. A few big dog flop-eared dogs burst through the open doors, barking like the they were having a contest. Jumping up on the stairs steps of hay, they rolled around drying themselves off. A big one jumped on a couple of puppies like she was going to tear them apart!

”Stop them’” Lou yelled. “That big dog is going to hurt those puppies!” Lynn didn’t act worried at all.

”Nah. That’s their mama. She’s just teaching them some manners. Here puppies.” At that, the puppies bounced down like rubber balls, licking Lynn for all they were worth. “These silly guys always think I need a bath.”

By now, the rain was pounding the roof so hard Lou had to shout to make herself heard. “Is this a tornado?”

Lynn laughed.”No. It’s fine. Haven’t you ever heard rain on a tin roof?

To be continued

Pumpkin Butter

It is the time of year people start to crave pumpkin: pumpkin coffee, pumpkin coffee creamer, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie. I didn’t realize until a few years ago that decorative pumpkins, the kind used for jack-o-lanterns weren’t intended for cooking. Canned pumpkin is much better in recipes.

I made pumpkin butter today for Mother and her friends at her independent living facility. I found it rather endearing that one of the lovely ladies asked me to make some, knowing I love to can. It is a very simple recipe.

Crock Pot Pumpkin Butter

4 29 oz. cans pumpkin

2 lbs. light brown sugar

4 tbs. Pumpkin Pie Spice

Mix all ingredients in crock pot. Cook on high 3-4 hours till flavors blend. You may add more pumpkin pie spice if desired. Put in clean pint jars with clean flats and rings. To process, put in rack in deep pot. Cover tops with at least 1 inch water. Bring to a full boil and process at least 15 minutes. Put jars to cool on rack or cutting board. Tops should pop and depression in lid should snap down as they cool. Makes 8 pints.

This makes a wonderful gift!

Overcoming Self-Pity: A Tale of Compassion and Self-Reflection

A balmy January evening was followed by a frigid, icy day of the kind we rarely get in Louisiana. I wore warm clothing but never warmed up as I drove the thirteen slippery miles to work. I begrudged going in knowing there would be extra patients hospitalized due to the loss of power and water, Dialysis patients can’t forgo treatment. I’d be doing a sixteen hour day and have to spend the night at the hospital to be available for emergency admissions. I thought longingly of my family in my cozy home who’d be gathered before the fireplace later that day, eating stew my husband heated in a cast iron pot in the fireplace. I had a good pity for myself worked up. 

On my way in, I met a co-worker clocking out. I wondered how she’d been lucky enough to be relieved. Then I saw she was crying. I forgot myself.

“Gracie? What’s wrong?” I asked. Gracie wasn’t a crybaby. I’d known her for years.

”I gotta get home! Grandma had clothes hanging in front of the heater and burned the house down. Everybody got out, but everything’s gone! I don’t even have a toothbrush! “ she wept. “My brother’s coming to get me and I don’t even have a coat to wear home.”

I felt so ashamed of my self-pity. “Here, take my coat. I took my wallet out of my purse, leaving her my lunch, comb, brush, lotion, tissue, umbrella and tylenol. “Here, take my purse and coat. This will help a little”

Experiencing her misfortune firsthand made me ashamed of myself. I wished I’d had more to give. Ever since that time. I give what I feel called upon to share. I’ve never regretted anything I gave away. I feel better if I do what I should.

Wah! Wah! Wah!

Self-pity is relative. I am involved in the care of my ninety-six year-old mother, though she stills lives alone and does really well. My siblings help, but I have catered to her, a monster of my own creation. Naturally, she enjoys that and frequently tells them, “I’ll wait. Linda can take me in a few days.”

As it happens to seventy-seven year-old men, Hubby’s hip decided to show out last Friday. He’s really miserable. I have been a full-time nurse to him since then. Thank goodness, he sees his doctor today.

Consequently, I’ve felt pressed. Yesterday, thinking only of myself, I called my old friend to whine. She sounded stressed. “Can you call back in ten minutes?” No answer on my return call.

Soon she called me back. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Just whiny. Bud’s hip is giving him trouble.”

“Oh, that’s bad, but can I call you tomorrow? The kids are on vacation and I’ve got the grandkids at the pool. My phones running….”

It made me so happy!. Self-pity is relative!!!!!! I sent her this selfie.

Changing My Religion

Joe and Irv are business partners. They make a deal that whichever one dies first will contact the living one from the afterlife. So Irv dies. Joe doesn’t hear from him for about a year, figures there is no afterlife. Then one day he gets a call. It’s Irv. ‘So there is an afterlife! What’s it like?’ Joe asks. ‘Well, I sleep very late. I get up, have a big breakfast. Then I have sex, lots of sex. Then I go back to sleep, but I get up for lunch, have a big lunch. Have some more sex, take a nap. Huge dinner. More sex. Go to sleep and wake up the next day.’ ‘Oh, my God,’ says Joe says. “So that’s what heaven is like?’ ‘Oh no,’ says Irv. ‘I’m not in heaven. I’m a bear in Yellowstone Park.’