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Brain Glitch
By Mona Lease
Hi, all!! Sorry to my Editors - I submitted this column way late. I got
all wrapped up in the cold weather. It feels more like Christmas
now...it's 24 degrees outside...with a 15-20 mph wind blowing. I was
feeling all satisfied. I was thinking it was good to be "back on
track." I'll never make it living somewhere that the temperature does
not get below 25 degrees and stay that way for a while. It's just not
Christmas if it isn't really cold.
Then my mind spun backwards through the years. Memories surfaced of
times I had forgotten - like when I was 9 years old or so. My cousins
lived directly behind me. We'd get a lot of snow and they'd build "snow
forts." They'd take an old banana box, fill it with snow, and add water
to harden the snow. Prying the box off of the snow - they'd start
building the walls of the fort.
I have pictures of the "snow woman" we made. We put a hat on her and a
scarf. On the ends of her stick arms, we put gloves. Big snows were
wonderful.
Believe it or not - some of us 10 years olds used our own shovels and
went door-to-door shoveling sidewalks. Back in 1964 or so - you could
make $5 clearing a city sidewalk. That was big money!
The guys in the neighborhood used to shovel out cars during the really
heavy snows. Some of them carried jumper cables and a battery they had
charged somewhere. They charged people to get their vehicles started.
Cold weather and lots of snow were sure money-makers.
And this all led me to remembering the Blizzard of '78. The National
Guard was called out to plow most everywhere the state did not plow.
My girlfriend lived in Gettysburg. Whoever plowed there did a really
good job on her street. It was a beautiful job - all the way up to the
house right beside hers. A 3 1/2' wall of snow stood between her house
and the neighbor's house. The street was a dead-end street. Her house
and the neighbor on the other side were "trapped" behind that wall of
snow.
I went to see her. She knew I was coming so when I arrived at her house
- I stood on top of the wall of snow so she would know I was there.
When she came out, she informed me that I was standing on her car. I
did not believe her. A couple of days later her Dad dug out her car. I
believed her then.
In that same blizzard - Dr. Armacost skied some 5 miles into Greenville
to see his patients. That is - those patients that could get to him.
Rumor always had it that Dr. Weber (maybe Dr. Boli) delivered a baby
over the phone. That is - he gave instructions to someone as to the
needed items....how to assist in the delivery (it's gonna happen
regardless), and other things to keep the Mommy and baby alive and well.
And those are a few of the memories that kept my mind occupied. Hot
chocolate sounded good during all of this. Enjoy the following recipe.
As I pen this - it's Pearl Harbor Day. Thanks to all who were involved.
Christmas Eve Crockpot Creamy Hot Chocolate
1.5 cups of heavy cream; 1 can sweetened, condensed milk (14 oz); 2
cups of milk chocolate chocolate chips; 6 cups of milk; 1 t. of vanilla.
In a large crock pot, on low setting, add the heavy cream,
sweetened condensed milk, and the 6 cups of milk. Using a wire whisk,
stir until blended and hot. It will take a while. When it is hot, add
the chocolate chips and vanilla. Stir with the whisk until blended.
Don't try to hurry this with a higher temperature...it will curdle the
milk. It won't hurt you...it just looks unsightly.
Remember the kiddies and our service people. Take good care of the
furry and feathered ones out there. Be safe and healthy. See ya next
time. Ever Toodles!!! MONA
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