Story Library

Popovers

Backstory

It’s not like I’m the Kitchen Master. Kitchen Monster may be more like it. Once I was the mother who cooked seven meals on Sunday so there would be home-made dinner, the whole week. My recent forays into the cooking den, however, usually involve turning on the microwave. But this one baking challenge, I just had to conquer.

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Popovers – #487

I had been on a mission to learn how to make popovers. These are a very simple breakfast treat. Something like Yorkshire Pudding.

Very simple set of ingredients, but you have to get everything just right. The temperature of the pre-set oven, a special pan heated in the oven before the batter is poured in, the temperature of the ingredients, the length of baking, and of course, the foibles of my particular oven.

In over a dozen tries, my family put up with a whole bunch of popunders, while I mastered all the techniques.

Now, I have it down pat. When my family hears that popovers are on the way, they know they will be perfect. Golden brown, crusty on the outside, empty on the inside. It took a long time and many tries, but I learned something new by conquering the baking of popovers.

That was a few months ago though. Since then, I have learned lots and lots of new things. My goal is to learn something new each day. Do you do that too? When it does not come organically through my interactions during the day, I use the internet to connect me with some new learning.

Never a day should go by without you learning something; from baking the best cookies to learning Bill O’Reilly’s latest new word. Crown each day with learning and you’ll never grow old.

P.S.

It’s OK to give yourself credit for easy new things learned too. Like figuring out how to pull the ring on the soda can without ruining your nails. Pat yourself on the back and move along.

[Show #487]

Mom’s Wedding Hat

Edited 1-19-20

Backstory – Mom’s Wedding Hat

Out in the country where we live, auctions have always been a big deal. You never know what to expect. You may find treasures offered – or collections of mayonnaise jars. There could be dozens of locals and household items go for pennies on the dollar – or the city folk may have poured in, raising bids beyond affordable.

In years past, auction items would be displayed on farm wagons, with bidders standing around. Then the auctions were brought into large buildings, with chairs for all the bidders. Sometimes you’d shake your head over the prices paid.

We went to auctions to furnish our weekend farm house. We were in the market for virtually everything. Then, over time, we filled out our home and no longer needed the basics. Then the auction became more of an entertainment. We looked for something unusual or enticing, rather than something we needed.

That’s the state we were in when I went to the auction that is the subject of this week’s story. Didn’t need anything; just watching for something I might want or enjoy. Boy did I find it! Please listen in and hear what happened.

Consider This Show – Mom’s Wedding Hat

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There it is, on the auction block; the exact replica of the hat my mom wore on her wedding day in 1936. I want that hat!

The auctioneer is selling a trike first. Some fortunate kid will see it in the morning and tonight, it will cost his parent only $5 . . . No, $10 . . . No – OMG it’s up to $25. Well, you just never know.

Ok, here comes the wedding hat. I have to be careful not to overbid and not to let someone else get it.

It’s very distinctive. Lots of veiling and feathers. And such good shape. Old, but obviously box-kept – sort of like a car that is garage-kept.

Well the suspense is now building. My heart is racing. I just HAVE to be sure the auctioneer sees my bid. I want that hat!

He is starting the bid at $50. Way too much for me. No wait, there are no takers at the high bid. The auctioneer is down to $20 . . . now $10. OK – I bid. $5. Hold my breath. The auctioneer asks for a bid of $7.50. None comes. Going once, going twice . . . OMG, I got the hat. It is mine!

My piece of family history, come to life. Wait ‘til I tell . . . everyone.

P.S.
Nothing like the thrill of winning – especially when it only costs you five bucks!

[Show #370]

Coping Skills

Backstory

Mothers of adult children are often involved when family members have issues with which to cope. Mothers are the soft place to land, so we get turned to, in times of stress. We cope and help others to cope. Don’t we?

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Coping Skills – #643

Someone sent a photo around on the Internet recently. It showed a dog prancing on its hind legs. You got the impression it was showing off. Then you realized it was walking that way because it had lost its front legs. The animal had figured out how to keep going. It’s an important lesson for people too; how to keep going.

Our town recently had a period of multiple young deaths. Week after week, we were offering sympathy and condolences to parents who could not understand why fate had let them down and taken away their child.

At one of the services, someone said wisely, “Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.”

Gather up your own coping skills and be ready to put them to use.

As we get older or wiser, we seem to be often called on to cope. A friend loses a loved one, someone becomes seriously ill, circumstances make critical changes in a person’s life. They may all turn to YOU for support, advice and assistance.

You help them most by effectively conveying the need to just keep going. What you say can make a big difference in their ability to cope. Practice what you would say to someone who turns to you for help. Be ready, when the call comes.

P.S.

A philosophy helps to cope with adversity. It can be a cliché or a bolt of wisdom. Two things I have found to be true – 1) When one door closes, another opens. 2) People come into your life for a season or a reason. Listen to the story with that theme at https://considerthisradioshow.com/reason-season-lifetime/.

[Show #643]

Creating Memories

Backstory

My daughters and I were laughing about a party held at our big New Jersey home decades ago, when they were still small. It was hilarious to hear their take on the party from their aspect, as a young child on the side-lines.

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Creating Memories – #603

Recently, I told you about the surprise birthday party in my honor. It lasted one afternoon. But the aftermath is what I want to share with you. Because that event had a life of its own. It was like seeing a movie that keeps repeating in your head.

For weeks, I went to sleep remembering a vignette or a conversation or a hug shared that afternoon. I knew the memories of that day would be with me forever.

But the good part is that it gets to play over and over WITH OTHER PEOPLE as well. Every time I get together with a friend who was there, or a relative who helped plan or run the event, the warm rush of affection happens all over again. I hear what THEY took away; entirely different from what I did.

So the gift provided by the folks who planned and attended that surprise party did NOT fill just one afternoon. It became another story that is part of my life. How precious!

So I have a suggestion for you. If you are invited to a surprise party . . . or any such event . . . GO! Make the time, go out of your way to get there. Does it matter if you are in the crowd? Yes, it does.

You are giving the gift of time and sharing, to someone you care for, who no doubt loves you in return. The scope of the gift you provide by your attendance is immeasurable. It will pleasure the person honored with happy memories and provide stories to tell, for years to come. Don’t miss it. Be there.

P.S.

We celebrated my mom’s 75^th birthday some 20 years ago, and family members are still posting photos, remembering the laughs and memories it conjured up. We plan to put those photos together into a book. Of course, we have planned that, for twenty years now.

[Show #603]

Christmas Stories At the Club

Backstory

Last year, I wrote a book of Christmas stories from Consider This. The book is available this year too, on Amazon. Tiny Little Stories of Christmas Joy, Love and Wonder.

I was gathering up stories for the book when I was asked to present a Christmas program at a Rotary Club meeting. I shared a few of my stories and asked who had their own story to share. We entered a world of reminiscence, emotion and love, as these personal stories were told.

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Christmas Stories At the Club – #660

At the local Rotary Club, members arrange programs for the weekly meetings. This year, I had to arrange the program right before Christmas.

I asked Rotarians to bring and tell their own Christmas stories – stories of a Christmas past. For my story, I read a script from one of my Consider This radio shows. In it, a young pastor was inspired by the way a mom and dad taught their young children the meaning of Christmas. Their story became the essence of his Christmas sermons for the next 50 years.

Another Rotarian recalled the Christmas when his dad was out of work. There was no money for a tree. He scraped together $3, walked three miles to where the trees were being sold, and dragged a scrawny tree – all he could afford – all the way home in the snow. Although he was just 16, he took responsibility for his family’s good Christmas.

There were stories of gratitude for gifts provided by the Club. Tales of elderly who were brought happiness by a Christmas visit. A veteran club member told of spending Christmas on a war-torn island in the Pacific.

Even those who told no story out loud seemed to be filled with private memories that were remembered. It was such a good program – just sharing special moments with people who had become friends through the fellowship of giving, caring and being proud Americans.

P.S.

While you are about your chores and business this holiday season, ask others about their most memorable Christmas – good or bad. Invite them to share a story. You may be amazed at how people will respond. The story telling seems to shake loose old holiday memories. They may be ordinary or off the wall. But it’s usually true. Like the man said, “You can’t make this stuff up.”

[Show #660]

Thanks For Doing Good

Backstory

This month we Americans will give thanks for all the privileges and opportunities we are offered in our beloved country. Most of us are smart enough to be grateful more than one day a year. Today’s story explores a different kind of gratitude for which we might offer thanks.

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Thanks for Doing Good – #489

The flowers you received were just beautiful and they lasted so long. Of course you wrote a personal note of thanks to the sender.

You are showered with birthday gifts. Of course each person will receive your thank you card or phone call or email.

Those thanks are tied to the receipt of something tangible, physical. How about thanking the people in your life for the greater gifts they give you – the gifts of their time, their talent, their energy. We often laud these people to others, conveying our respect and admiration for what they have done but we may forget to tell the person involved how much we appreciate what they have done or said or thought.

So why not call the friend who crocheted that special scarf for you last year. Let her know how much you appreciate it and how often you wear it. Call your mom or grandmother and tell her you have just been remembering happy memories from your childhood and wanted to share them anew with her. Call the new person who took over for you at the PTA gala, when you got the flu at the last minute. Send an email to the neighbor who shared her fruit or vegetables or her recipe.

Some people don’t hear nearly enough thanks, for the amount of good they do. They may not do it to get those words of appreciation, but they can’t help enjoying them, when they come along.

Oh, and by the way, thanks for all the things you do.

P.S.

Now that you’re thinking about those who have made a difference in your life, will you do something about it? Don’t wait and expect to remember. That person was important to you at a critical time of your life. Pick up the phone and tell them so.

[Show #489]

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