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