Four Bright Hopes

 

Ohio Star

 

So far, John and I have been married for 16,436 days. A lot of those days were pretty awful – especially the first dozen or so. The weather was cold and nasty. We had to drag nearly everything we owned from Bethesda, Maryland to Oneonta, New York and then Provo Utah before school started with nothing but a beat-up Ford Mustang and a borrowed credit card. Along the way, we had a flat tire and blew a piston. Not fun times. But some of those 16,436 days were wonderful, like the days our four kids were born. There were the days our sons were married and we welcomed three wonderful women into our family. Best of all were the days our grandchildren were born. I don’t know if being married 45 years makes us experts, but we’ve learned to be patient with each other, to treat each other with respect, to be forgiving and supportive, and to give each other room to grow.   

Bright Hopes

 

Here’s the world’s best knock-knock joke: Once there were three brothers ages 92, 94 and 96 who lived in a house together. One night the 96-year-old drew a bath, puts his foot in and paused for a moment. He then hollered down the stairs, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?” The 94-year-old yelled back, "I don't know, I'll come up and see." He started up the stairs and paused, then he yelled, "Was I going up the stairs or coming down?" The 92-year-old was sitting at the kitchen table having coffee listening to his brothers. He shook his head and said, "I sure hope I never get that forgetful." He knocked on wood for good luck. He then yelled, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."

Spools

 

At our first auction in England, I bid on a 100-year-old piano, and I won. The “removers” I hired to deliver it commented on its musty, stale odor. “Smells like me nan’s house,” said one. “Worse,” added the other, “It smells like my nana.” A thorough cleaning and airing solved the immediate problem, but their remarks stayed with me. In fact, I find myself thinking about it more the older I get. Old people have a distinct odor, and so do the places where they live. As we age, our body chemistry changes. There’s a subtle difference in the way omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids on the skin degrade, resulting in the stale smell called “nonenal.” These fatty acids aren’t water-soluble, so showering and laundering clothes and linens have little effect. What does seem to help is increased exercise, clean eating, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and reducing stress. It’s also helpful to line-dry laundry and crack open windows.

Christmas Stockings

 

“Wherever you are this Christmas season, may you feel God’s love as we celebrate Jesus Christ as the heart of Christmas. Christmas is a time of music, smells and tastes, anticipation and generosity. A time of gathering, whether we live near or far. Often Christmas becomes Christmas when we quietly bring Christmas joy to others. Many families sub for Santa. Many individuals light the world with the light of Jesus Christ. A Christmas memory recalled is a Christmas memory made anew. Layered over time, Christmas memories become traditions, which can deepen our love for Jesus Christ—the Lamb of God, the Son of the Eternal Father, the Savior of the world. If you have favorite Christmas memories, may you joyfully savor them this season. If you are still creating your Christmas traditions, may they deepen your love for Jesus Christ and bless you each year.” – Gerrit W. Gong

Friendship Chain

 

Between Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve, December has more than its share of holidays. But, if you feel it needs one more, you can always celebrate Festivus. Until last week, I only knew two things about Festivus: it originated with the TV series Seinfeld, and the phrase “for the rest of us” means for people who don’t celebrate the holidays I just mentioned. Both are wrong. Festivus did appear in an episode of Seinfeld in 1997, but TV writer Dan O’Keefe’s family had been observing it since 1966. The phrase “for the rest of us” meant for those still living. Festivus is celebrated December 23, the anniversary of the day Dan O’Keefe’s mom and dad first dated. I’m not sure which aspects of the holiday – the aluminum pole, the airing of grievances, the feats of strength, or calling ordinary events “Festivus miracles” – originated with the TV show, and which were part of the O’Keefe family tradition.

Triangles and Squares

 

Generally, when I’m making butternut squash soup, there’s lots of cream involved. This recipe doesn’t have any (unless, of course, you decide to use cream as a garnish), but you’d never guess it. The taste and texture are every bit as decadent. I’m guessing it’s the potatoes.

 

Better Butternut Squash Soup

 

2 tablespoons butter

1 small onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 medium carrot, chopped

2 medium potatoes, cubed (I think any variety would work, but we used russets.)

1 medium butternut squash - peeled, seeded, and cubed

32 ounces chicken stock

Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

 

In a stock pot, sauté onion, celery, carrots, potatoes and squash in butter on medium heat about five minutes. Pour in chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer about 40 minutes. Process soup in blender until smooth. (You’ll have to do 2 or 3 batches, unless you have an immersion blender.) Return to pot and season to taste. Serve warm.