Back in March of 2018 I submitted a recipe for Macaroni and Tomatoes, a staple in our house during the Great Depression. It still is a favorite of mine.

Recently, Anne and I were visiting a elderly couple I attend church with. She had been in an automobile accident. It was her first day home from the hospital. We took them two plates of cookies; one of chocolate chips and the other of sugar cookies. There is something about getting older that makes sweets especially tasty. I know.

We sat and visited for about two hours. A funny story came up during our conversations that I just have to tell you about. “Do you eat Macaroni and Tomatoes?” the Christian gentleman asked. “Yes, I do,” was my answer. “How do you fix 'em?” he immediately demanded to know.

“Well, I boil up some macaroni, drain it and add a little butter, salt and pepper. Then I mix in a quart of home canned tomatoes and a little sugar. It used to make a good meal for lunch. Nothing else was needed except maybe some cornbread or bread and butter.”

He sat there with a “I got-cha” look on his face. “Did you put potatoes in it?” I said, “Huh?” He repeated the question, “Do you put potatoes in it?” saying each word slowly and clearly in case I hadn't understood the question.

“Certainly not!” I answered. “You don't put potatoes in Macaroni and Tomatoes.” He sat back further in his chair and smugly answered, “My aunt did during the Great Depression. She had thirteen kids,” he replied. “Every meal looked like she had company for supper, but it was all family.”

Well, I guess if I had thirteen mouths to feed every day and little money to do it with, I would be putting potatoes in my Macaroni and Tomatoes, too.

“Did I put onions I it?” he further demanded. “Of course not. You don't put onions in Macaroni and Tomatoes.” Naturally his Aunt did.

The conversation drifted off to other examples of old time living. I enjoy wandering down those long ago country lanes. It's like going home again.