The Winters of Spring

Ah Spring! After a cold winter, we get one of those sunny, balmy days where the temps get up into the 60s and everybody sheds coats and dreams of gardening or fishing. Then along comes a cold snap that feels colder than what it is because your body had immediately acclimated to that warmth and sunshine. Those cold snaps are regular events that have been around before TV meteorologists, and our forefathers had to watch nature to determine when to plant crops. So through the ages we have weather lore that is still with us today.

Salmon and More

This has almost everything in it but the kitchen sink. It shows what you can do with a small can of salmon. Prepare macaroni and cheese mix as directed on package. Add flaked salmon, mushroom soup, chopped pimiento and milk. Carefully fold in English peas. Place in 1-1/2 quart buttered casserole. Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for about 40 minutes or until bubbly.

That's My Place

If you know my mom, you know that she’s the type of person who knows almost everybody and she loves to chat and catch up with them when she can. But there was this one instance when talking with an old friend threw her for a loop. To be honest, it did me as well.

Watch Your ---!

I have a neighbor who has many statues of animals in her yard. I jokingly told her one day, “I’m worried about your livestock. I’m afraid they’ll wander into the road and get killed or cause someone to wreck.”
I also expressed concern at what the cost must be to feed all those animals.
I have never been one to try to “keep up with the Joneses,” but sometimes life circumstances just present the opportunity.

To Zone or Not to Zone. That is the question.

There are two major opinions about zoning in Union County. One seems to be “don’t tell me what I can do on my property”. People do not want to be told that they can or cannot (choose one) put an RV on their property, raise pigs or turkeys, build another building on their property, rent their property out to others, collect scrap metal. There is a long list of possible rules and regulations that many of the “don’t tread on me” citizens of this county simply do not want. There are also the “not in my backyard” folks who have a point as well.

Veterans Menu April 1

Calling all Veterans! What better way to celebrate April Fool’s Day than to be at the American Legion building at noon to feast on Veteran Volunteer Margo McCaffery’s Famous American Goulash! Sometimes called slumgullion, American goulash is a comfort food dish based on the Hungarian goulash stew. The ground beef, tomato and macaroni are in a beautifully seasoned tomato sauce. Shredded cheese and sour cream will be available for garnish.

Good stretches for the back

Different stretches have different functions. Some focus on a particular muscle or muscle group or limb, and improve movement. Others, sometimes referred to as ‘active’ stretches, are intended to increase strength. The following three exercises are designed to do both with your back:

Miracle Shot

Being the tomboy that I was, I always enjoyed playing sports, especially softball. My next favorite sport was dodge ball. My least favorite was basketball. I tried, but let’s just say I struggled with it.

Unexpected Expectations

I receive many emails. At least half of them are what I call email “e-commercials”. They pretty much immediately go to my trash folder. Today I received one of those emails, and though it went to the trash folder, the subject line did give me something to think about—expectations versus desires. This week’s article will focus on pleasant aspects of expectations.
The King James Version of the Bible has several things to say about expectation. Following are a few to ponder.

Seared Scallops

Scallops are new to me. I am still learning how to prepare them. Here is a recipe for preparing scallops. I think it is pretty good.
Put scallops in a paper towel and pat dry with another paper towel...