Random Memories

Random Memories

Recently, I posted this quote:” I enjoy those random memories popping up at no particular time that makes me smile”. Immediately, I saw a picture in my mind of my best friend Dorothy and I learned to cook.

One day we decided to make donuts. We got the “Joy of Cooking” cookbook Out. That book was the best reference for anything to do with cooking. Carefully, we read the recipe, as a matter of fact, we read it twice. The big bowl of batter was ready to cook. We look at the directions again. The instructions said: drop the batter in a deep kettle-what? This is when it the happened-the minute we quit reading. We drop the batter into a tea kettle my mother had on the stove. We cooked that batter to the specified time and all that batter come spewing out of the spout. Lesson Learn ed. Read directions all the way through.

Another time we decided to make that old-fashioned southern flat skillet cornbread for my father. On Saturday’s our family always had fresh green beans and little red potatoes along with the cornbread. The recipe was on a Martha White bag of cornmeal. We got the recipe right and got it into a well-greased skillet. But alas, we let it cook too long. It tasted all right but was a little tough. My Dad’s comment was good because he needed to retread the tires on his old 38 Chevrolet. But now, as I smile, I know we both turned out to be good cooks.

Another smiling memory was all about Dorothy and I and poison ivy. Dorothy and I were with our friend Boots waiting for public transportation to go to the movies. We were standing by a tree that had a lot of vines hanging down from it. Dorothy said;” Don’t touch those leaves, I think that is poison ivy” Boots and I laughed and rub leaves on our arms. During the movie, we all began to itch and scratch. By the time we got home our eyes were swollen almost shut, our faces were swollen and we itched. We wound up in the same bed at my house and were cared for by my mother.

I also look back at the things we did to amuse ourselves when we were youngsters. This was before TV. There was a big chinaberry tree in our backyard. The tree produced hard green berries. We pick the green round berries almost all morning. Then all the kids were divided into two teams. We had a chinaberry war, as we threw the berries at each other. It took all of about 5 minutes for we diminished our stockpiles.

Now that I’ve commented on a few of my flashback random memories I will record them for my daughter so it will put a smile on her face as well. as well.

Enjoy Traditions At Any Age

Enjoy Traditions at Any Age

Many traditions we enjoyed as youngsters can be fun in our adult years as well. I attended an Easter luncheon at my Senior Center and as I came in the door the receptionist told me to go find an Easter egg and bring it back to the desk for a prize. When I entered the main room I saw many senior members laughing and enjoying the hunt.  I found mine, in my favorite color, lavender in a lighted palm tree next to the Trips and Tours table.

Seniors love the games and traditions they did as youngsters. It is still a thrill to find the golden egg or guess how many jelly beans are in the jar even if you are a vintage soul. So many random memories are brought back by sharing a holiday meal with others, and listening to holiday music, performed by an “Over the Hill “choir.

There are so many family traditions to share with others. It is fun to play the board games that were played in our younger years, crochet and knit, quilting, choir, dancing, old-time country music, billiards, bible study, dulcimer, ukulele, and just plain sharing coffee and conversation.

This June 22, 2020, will be The Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center’s 42^th Anniversary. As I work to promote the 42^th Anniversary and reopening of the Senior Center,  I can’t forget the joy of participating in the programs at the Senior Center. Members are healthier and happier because they are not isolated and alone.

It takes a lot of volunteering to meet the operating costs and to work toward building a new building because MJSAC is a rare stand-alone Senior Center. All businesses and individuals can help by donating what they can toward keeping this vital part of the Mt Juliet communt