The Mid-Winter Blues

(Originally published February 24, 1982)

How to beat the "doldrums" or the "mid-winter blues".  I really don't know, but my common sense tells me to do something constructive - it makes the dreary days go by faster. I noticed an advertisement expounding the virtues of wallpaper and how "for a few cents" you could transform any room in your home into a "fairyland". Well, human nature being what it is, I envisioned myself as the most creative person to walk the earth since Michael Angelo painted the Sistine Chapel and proceeded to assemble the required materials. After spending a few more "CENTS" than my budget had originally allowed, I suddenly realized "I don't know how to wallpaper," and it would be too humiliating to return to where the supplies were purchased and admit this . . . so, the search began for the information I so desperately needed.

At first shyly, and then slyly, I queried my friends, family for the knowledge they possessed on "going around corners" and so forth, when it suddenly dawned on me, "these people weren't giving their secrets away." If I wanted to pursue this, it was going to be by trial and error or get the information from a book. A BOOK!! Why didn't I think of that sooner - everything you ever want to know is in a "BOOK" someplace. (Up to this time my envisioned "fairyland" was becoming more of a monster case).

How smug I felt as I sat down to read my coveted copy of  "THE ABC'S OF WALLPAPERING". The ABC's I could understand thoroughly, it was the XYZ's the book didn't tell me about that got me into trouble. For example: Never cut around the electrical outlet with a long handled butcher knife (none with a metal handle) - (The doctor said I was very lucky, especially since I was standing in a puddle of water that had dripped out of the sponge I was using to mop up the spilled paste). Never, and I mean NEVER set your bucket of paste on the floor when you have an animal in the house. (We hope the dog will be out of intensive care tomorrow and as soon as the bloat in his stomach goes down, we can bring him home). Last, but not least, NEVER lay your last roll of wallpaper anywhere near the fireplace (especially if you have one of those log rollers that transform old newspapers into tightly rolled logs for burning) - I didn't get too mad at that, it is hard to distinguish between a hand-made newspaper log and a roll of wallpaper.

ALL THINGS ACCOUNTED FOR - it didn't turn out too badly. The job did cost a little more than I had anticipated, with the vet's bill, doctor's house call and an extra roll of wallpaper, but I must say the electrician was reasonable, those two outlets needed rewiring anyway. The room is beautiful (a real FAIRYLAND), the dog is OK, but he growls a lot when left in the newly papered room alone, and I hope to have the loan paid off by next winter when I can get CONSTRUCTIVELY CREATIVE again.

-Granny

Cabin Fever

(Originally published February 17, 1982)

Hi again everybody - you know, waking up this morning to the bright sunshine really gave me a fright - for a moment I thought I had died and gone to heaven or had been transported to the Sahara Desert. After a few minutes, reality sunk in - I was still in Warsaw - but my fever had broken for a little while - the fever I am speaking of is "CABIN FEVER". The dictionary defines "cabin" as "to confine, enclose or cramped conditions" and the definition of fever as "intense nervous excitement". Well, put the two together and that's what winter in Missouri can do for you.

Another thing that puzzles me, is how the originators of the calendar (specifically in the USA) decided what holidays we would celebrate in the month of February. I can understand their wanting to honor such a great man as Lincoln, but to put a man of such stature in the same month as (1) a GROUND HOG, who really could care less if he sees his shadow or not, (2) a naked little kid who runs around shooting arrows in everyone in the name of LOVE, and (3) our 1st President, who (from all I can remember of school) chopped down cherry trees, wore wooden teeth and stood up in boats (all we lake people know that is a no-no, whether you are crossing the Potomac, Delaware or whatever). The only conclusion I can come to is that the calendar people were suffering from "CABIN FEVER" too. But hold on, I think I see a Robin out my window - knew it was too good to be true - it's just a sparrow with a designer vest on to keep warm . . .

I had an opportunity to visit my parents in the south lands for a couple of weeks and found a very interesting dessert recipe I'd like to share with you. Try it - you might like it - I did!

GRAPEFRUIT PIE
1 Large Grapefruit
2 cups Water
1 package Cherry Jello
3 T cornstarch
2 Cups whipping cream
9" baked pie shell
Peel and section grapefruit, removing and membrane (try to keep pieces as whole as possible). Lay sections in baked pie shell. Combine water, jello and cornstarch in pan, bring to boil, continue for 1 minute. Cool to lukewarm, pour over grapefruit. Refrigerate 1 hour until firm. Garnish with whipped cream.

I know grapefruit has never been one of my favorite foods, but this pie is quite tasty and a big hit in the restaurants of the south (also sells for $1.50 a slice).

Till next week - let's all hope the plague of "CABIN FEVER" goes away soon.

-Granny