Tomato Aspic Revival

Long ago, and far away, we cooked our veggies, except for cucumbers. I "heard" older women speak of  Tomato Aspic, but I wanted no part of olives and uncooked veggies in jello.Yuk! UnAmerican! If the veggies weren't cooked, I wouldn't eat them.

Life blessed me with all the things I didn't like or was afraid of. Ever curious, I asked a dear Southern friend what a Tomato Aspic was. She smiled wide. Her eyes dilated. Annabell sighed. "I haven't had it in years. I put baby shrimp and olives in mine." It wasn't on my bucket list, but for Annabel, I would try. 

I got busy being Methodist and made Tomato Aspic with Plan B to buy a cake from Kroger.  I added chopped green and yellow bell peppers, green and black olives, Bumblebee baby shrimp, blanched asparagus tips and a finely chopped vidalia onion. The inverted dish fit perfectly on the found-in-the-closet platter. I felt confident the presentation would please the eye first, and hoped the taste would come close to what they remembered. Drum roll! It was a hit! Ladies not only enjoyed it at dinner, they took servings home. I came home with nothing more than a lick left. 

Tomato Aspic

2 envelopes Knox Gelatin                               

½ cup V-8 Juice                                                               

2 ½ cups V-8 Juice

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

1/8 tsp sugar

2 tsp. onion juice

2 tsp. vinegar

1/8 tsp. tobasco

Dissolve gelatin in 1/2 cup V-8. 

Heat 2 ½ cups V-8.

Ingredient options: artichoke hearts; asparagus; green or black olives; green and other peppers; celery; shrimp; or whatever you like.                                                                            

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate in a ring mold, muffin tins, 8 x 8 dish, or your choice. If you plan to invert it, grease the container first.

Cottage Cheese Topping

12 oz. cottage cheese

3 spring (green) onions chopped

¼ cup mayonnaise

1/8 tsp. pepper

¼ tsp. salt

Mix together

If you used a ring mold, place the topping in the center. If not, put it on the side or in a separate bowl. 

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

River banks are imaginary boundaries

Water boundaries. Wait a minute. Oh, we've diverted it for our use. Hmmm. Maybe that wasn't a good idea. If we let it "go home," so to speak, the MS Delta would be flooded from Cape Girardeau to the Gulf of Mexico. It already has 35', or more, of topsoil. Nebraska got here before I did.

The Missouri River begins in Montana and is the eastern boundary of Nebraska. Record rainfall created the worst flooding in North Dakota in 130 years in 2011. I don't know what this year's record is. Record snows in the Rockies have not yet melted. High water will continue moving southward for some time.

There is no place on this planet where there isn't "weather". We are all in this together. It is wise to help each other. We never know when we're going to need it.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Pinocchio

A Mexican woven decoration to the left. My handmade one to the right.

I bought Pinocchio in Italy where the author of Pinocchio, Carlo Collodi was inspired in 1880.

His first movie was 1940. Easily led astray by con-men, Pinocchio has a problem with right and wrong. Jiminy Cricket is his "official" conscience. He must be brave . Only when he proves himself deserving of the Blue Fairy's trust, and his father's love, will he become a real boy.

Mediterranean Chiavari Hotel so quiet Dali & I called it the "Dead Zone". We later learned Archaeologists were meeting there.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Memory Malfunction: the elephant and I

photo by Leroy & Alice Patocka-Fortner in Zimbabwe, Africa.

The elephant leaving the pool must have forgotten something. Me too. I published this picture and a short piece 10/27/09. Over the weekend I came across more information.

The community watering hole attracts sable, impala, bush buck and giraffe. Other visitors needing a sip, slurp or splash are oribi (small tan-colored antelope), zebra, leopard, hyena, eland and blue wildebeest. Wild hogs, baboons, monkeys, warthogs and guinea fowl join the fray. And there are probably other species as well.

Not only do they all come to drink, they bathe, pee and poop in the water. Natives come to wash their clothes and hang them on bushes to dry. Alice and Leroy's laundry was washed in well water, dried and ironed to kill the crud. Here at the pool vehicles are washed, and natives take water home for drinking and cooking. That about covers it.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

2009 Red Convertible Travel Series

Civil War History

I don't know much about it. Nebraska didn't become a state until 1867. Gone With The Wind sticks in my mind as a story of people's resiliency and ingenuity, and a whole lot Rhett romance, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn." And poor Scarlet, helpless as a rattlesnake.

In this week's Today in Mississippi, Walt Grayson addresses Mississippi's historical anniversaries. "...the 150th anniversary of the Vicksburg Campaign of the Civil war. Gen. U. S. Grant and 17,000 Union troops crossed over the MS River from Hard Times Landing, LA to Bruinsburg, MS."

"It's also the 200th anniversary of Andrew Jackson's march down the Natchez Trace with his TN Volunteers, hoping to get to the British at New Orleans. And he was following Rachel Robards, a Nashville divorcee, to Springfield Plantation, west of Fayette, where she was staying with family and friends. If you know your history, you know they eventually married and he was elected President. (I just learned that.) The plantation is still standing and will be open for tours occasionally during some of the Natchez pilgrimages."

We had cheese grits and shrimp at noon, and now I'm hungry for MS history.

Walt Grayson is the host of "Mississippi Roads" on MS Public Broadcasting TV, and the author of two "Looking Around Mississippi" books and "Oh! That Reminds Me: More Mississippi Homegrown Stories.     Contact him at walt@waltgrayson.com

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Winter in May

The air is charged with anxiety. May is not warming, it's more wet winter. Will it flood? When will it quit raining? Is the snow ever going to stop?

We're grateful we live about 20' higher than the creek to the north of our house. Behind the Levee is another matter. Camps are evacuated. Houses that were raised 17' after 2011 hope they are high enough. Excessive snow melt and rain flow into the MS River could produce flooding for months to come. Farmers aren't able to get into their fields. The mettle of us all is being tested. It's a knee-bender. I am reminded no problem is bigger than God. And being the all powerful, all knowing, everywhere at once Creator, it makes sense to me to align with it rather than do it my own.

I overheard two ladies talking about the "end times" being near. When I was a child, I heard on the radio that people were taking refuge in US mountain caves anticipating "the end".  It raised concerns in my young heart. How come we weren't told? What are we supposed to do? I took note of how many months until "it" was supposed to happen. It didn't. The earth didn't turn inside out. I wondered if the cave-hiders were surprised or embarrassed. That's not to say it couldn't happen some day. Nebraska has been a desert. Large animal bones similar to African species have been found in north central Nebraska. And Nebraska has been part of a large inland lake.

When I hiked the Grand Canyon, I studied nature's cupboard of resting fossils. Saltwater seashells, fresh water fish skeletons, flowers and petrified wood are evidence earth's axis shift.

Whatever does or doesn't happen, I find it beneficial to my peace of mind to ask the Lord to take care of everything and put me where He needs me. In the South they say "You better hope you're prayed up!" I don't know where the water line is on that, but only God knows which prayer tips the scale.

Wishing you warm, sunny days, an unemployed snow scoop, rivers confined to their banks, and farmland  easily growing this year's crops.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

MS River on the move

Is winter finally coming to an end in Minnesota? When my sister lived in St. Paul, she said they had two seasons: shovel and swat.

Here in Clarksdale this past Wed, we had low temps, wind, rain and heavy cloud cover making everything seem winter dark .It reminded me of Scotland.  I compared it to November here and thought about Christmas shopping.

The MS river is rising about a foot a day. Locals are relocating whatever is movable from behind the Levee. We watch the Helena, AR gauge. At 4 pm today, it was at 37.74'. Next Wed. it is expected to hit 40': Take Action Stage. I did not see mention of 40' as the crest. With all the snow and rain up north, west and east, it could be an eventful summer. We've done what we can. Now we watch and wait.

2/21/1937 the river reached an all time high of 60.2' The all time low of -4.20' was 7/11/1988.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Chiropractic care

At a young age, I  became acquainted with the local "bone crusher".  The hogs had wrestled me for their five gallon bucket of food and knocked me down one too many times. Give me cattle care any day. I don't remember much about the treatment, but it opened my eyes to the idea there are a variety of ways to get things done.

Fast forward to the mid-eighties.  I stopped at a yellow light and the guy behind me didn't giving me a whiplash. I drove straight to my chiropractor in Wahoo. He determined the jolt had lifted my head off my axis and set it down crooked. He said it was his job to put my head on straight. Let's don't push it. I like me just the way I am.

Residue from the accident stayed with me for decades. I didn't like the cracking method of adjustment, but it was all there was. I'd ask if he had a to-go box in the event my head did snap off.

Fast forward to  2011. Lifting and moving and a slip on the ice left me walking with a cane. Dr. Alia McCoy of Delta Chiropractic, Clarksdale, MS, is a pediatric specialist, just what I needed, since I AM a big baby about adjustments. I am more than pleased with her treatments. She gives the kindest, gentlest adjustments I have ever had.  I no longer need to ask about a to-go box. I can go for long walks again. When I turn my head, my neck no longer sounds like I'm crunching potato chips. She adjusts my extremities. I haven't been in this good of shape for decades. If you are in the Clarksdale area and need help, call 662-627-7640 for an appointment with Dr. Alia or Dr. Patty and tell them Maeann sent you.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Geraldine Holly Collins Obit

Where I'm from, an obit might not make it to my blog. Ms. Geraldine's is a unique piece of Deep South history worth sharing. She passed on January 19, 2013. "She was born June 23, 1933 on The Logan Place in Coahoma, MS. She lived and worked on the P. F. Williams Plantation and later moved to Friars Point, MS, where she became the 'EPITOME' of a great wife, mother, and caregiver. She was a woman who was loved throughout the community. She was preceded in death by two sons and two daughters. She is survived by 8 sons and 9 daughters, 111 grandchildren, 155 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren."

The stories she could have told. I wish I could have visited with her.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Clarksdale, MS coming events

There is no end to celebrations in Clarksdale. About 20,000 people came from all over the world for the Juke Joint Festival. The weekend was a huge success. The sales tax alone is a huge boost to the city.

If you're looking for something to do, take notice, and call the Clarksdale Chamber of Commerce for more information: 662-627-7337

May 2013: Clarksdale Caravan Music Fest 
                    (Their link didn't work. Call above #0)

               
June 2013: Delta Jubilee  clarksdale-ms.com

August 2013: Sunflower River Blues Fest  sunflowerfest.org

October: Tennessee Williams Festival  coahomacc.edu/twilliams
                 I love the porch plays.

October: Pinetop Perkins Homecoming  hopsonplantation.com

October Hambone Festival  hambonefestival.com 

Should you be in a literary mood, there will undoubtedly be someone doing a book signing.
Jane Bennett Gaddy came last week with her latest Civil War book.

Make your reservations early, Clarksdale is a happening place. If I hadn't answered my door 14 years ago, I wouldn't be here to tell you about it. See you there!

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Love the Great Healer

In the January/February issue of Angels on Earth, editor, Colleen Hughes, commented about the joy of receiving a hand written letter. I love to send and receive them. They aren't limited to Valentine's Day, they're good for all occasions. Check out their link angelsonearth.org/valentine  Someone you know might like a love note from you today.

Love is mightier than fear.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

The Anti-Christ

I don't think it is a person. I think t's fear and the belief we are separate from God and each other.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Boston Marathon bombing

I long for the order and simplicity of Andy Griffith and Mayberry, USA; Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and cowboys in white hats.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Clarksdale,MS Juke Joint Festival

It's Juke Joint Festival Clarksdale, MS time. Google it. People are here from around the world to stay at Hopson's Shackup Inn shackupinn.com, mingle in the streets, listen to a one man band or a group, eat crawfish, barbecue, catfish, chiliburgers and more. We ate crawfish at Delta Amusement (Google it) and visited with a couple from Alabama. Meeting people is half the fun. I shucked out the leftover crawfish and took them home. This morning I made cheese grits with sauteed onion and green pepper, Ro*Tel and tails. Scrumptious!

Vendors are a source of inspiration. I commend other's creativity. Bryan Weems carves on Cypress knees. He and I agreed we see personalities in them where they grow in the water. He said, "When I pick up a piece of wood, it talks to me." Like Michael Angelo, he carves to let the woods spirit's image out. Three grown together knees stand shoulder to shoulder. Carved, they look like brothers. I'd love to have them in a garden. One carving about 30" tall had two tops. One is the face of Christ in fervent prayer. The other is his praying hands. Nice work. Bryan doesn't have a website yet. If you're interested, leave your contact information and I will pass it on to him.

Artist and Educator, Rosalind Wilcox (Google her) has a studio of original art in many styles and gorgeous handmade jewelry.

Sugar Coated is the new Hands and Feet Beauty Bar on Delta where 225 used to be. It has a soothing, classy feel. I wish them well. No website yet. 

For a listing of events, Google Clarksdale Chamber of Commerce. Maybe we'll see you next year.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Cemetery Walk

This week we've had mist to drizzle to down pour. April is living up to her "showers" reputation - tears after March's bi-polar rant. This morning was foggy as the Blue Ridge Parkway. Fog lights lit the roadsides and driving was treacherous when last we traveled it.

Here at home I took my umbrella and went for a walk without boots and raincoat. Even though the day reminded me of Scotland, I was confident our drizzle would not turn to straight-line rain. There hasn't been a recent hurricane in the Gulf.

My destination was Oakhurst Cemetery. The drive curves around old, old oak trees. The recent graves were my priority. I wanted to see (with my mind's eye) who was dead and didn't know it. (Only the body dies. The soul doesn't skip a beat.) I touched each heart so they knew they were acknowledged and not alone. Heart to heart we conversed. Those who were ready to go "home", I took to the tall, wood carved double doors that open into the afterlife. The right door opened a sliver for them to enter. I did not. I have more work to do here.

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series

Where the Love Is

A surprise from my 2nd grade friend, McKenzie

I love beets. Beets surprised me by creating a heart of their own from a drop of juice.

Found in my bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats this morning

Love is all around

2013 Red Convertible Travel Series