A date with a pretzel.

It was snowing Fri. morning when I got on the road. The best explanation of the driving conditions was cream of wheat on a waxed floor, a white knuckle drive. From Nebraska City south to St. Joseph, Missouri, I drove twelve miles an hour, thirty at most. Cars and trucks littered the ditches and median. We drove around and through previous accidents.

Our southbound right lane had a track, the left did not. A tanker and two eighteen-wheelers passed on my left moving a bit too fast, I thought. A while later a lit sign at the side of the road stated “Exit 50 is closed. Find alternate route.” As in over the river and through the woods?

Exit fifty was not blocked by the time we got there. The two cars ahead of me continued. I followed. We came upon flashing lights, several highway patrolmen and a mega-wrecker. The collided vehicles had settled off the road. And guess who they were? Those three fast-moving trucks were pretzeled together. Do you want mustard with that?

2010 Red Convertible Travel Series

MISSOURI KEEPS ON GIVING

The Generosity Angels struck again. Here in Missouri's division of the Universal Storehouse, we Live the Attitude of Gratitude and expect miracles.

Co-worker, Gene, had a headlight go out on his car. He bought a bulb but couldn't figure out how to set it. Grumble. Grumble. Picking up a sale for me, he met a young military man in camouflage working on his truck. They talked vehicles, like guys do. Gene commented about his headlight problem. The young man volunteered, just like he did for his country, "I'll take a take a look at it." He knew exactly what to do. Using needle nosed pliers he fixed it in a flash.
Gene was shocked, "How old are you?"
"Nineteen."

Another day Gene was writing up a sale for a lady folding clothes. "My kids have outgrown these. I'm taking them to goodwill." She paused and looked at him, "You're about my son's size." Shoving a pair of jeans at him, she asked, "Will these fit you?" He peeked at the label and smiled: exactly his size. She layered him with sweaters and shirts and added, "There's more. Stop back."

What wonderful surprises are next in Missouri's division of the Universal Storehouse? We'd love to hear what great surprises come to you in your division?

2009 RedConvertibleTravelSeries

PIONEERING MISSOURI

If we'd just remembered how the pioneers traveled when they settled this country, we'd have come to Warrensburg with empty vehicles. This week was cleanup week east of Hwy 13. It allowed residents to put their "unwanteds" on the curb for the taking. Pioneer-fashion, we aquired an oblong wooden table and a round one, a box of dishes that included a kettle lid, mine has been missing for years. Neither of us brought dishes. Thankfully, we found cups, plates and flatware, two wooden chairs, a gas grill and a snow scoop guaranteed to stop winter.

During the day, JB spotted an entertainment center by a dumpster. We went back after dark, in a drizzle, loaded it up and wrestled the monster into our rental. Near midnight, we plopped into chairs to admire our find. I commented, "Our 17 TV looks newborn for the space; maybe it will grow into it. We need to shimmy the right end about an inch."
JB frowned. "No, we just need to set it on end."

You know you're tired when you can't figure out which end is up.

Next week the west side of town gets to unload. Who knows what we'll find.

Less is more . . . when it's enough.

2009 Red Convertible Travel Series

Tawnya & Teresa, True Friends, Food 'n Fun

The last month has been spent tripping up and down the stairs with JB on one floor and Kris on the other. And, yes, I did trip. It was so hot I was thinking of snow, Dr. Zhivago to be exact, and I skied the basement stairs. Not a good idea.

I like to reread Gone With the Wind in April and watch Dr. Zhivago in the dog days of summer. When he studies the frozen designs on the window I remember there's more to life than shoveling.

Confined to "home duty" two of my Missouri girlfriends made a surprise visit. What a delight. We laughed, watched movies, cooked and ate for two days. Tawnya made a baked crab dip to die for with cream cheese, mayo, chopped artichoke hearts, diced onions, crisp bacon broken to bits, parmesan cheese, and spiced it with Worcestershire, chili powder, salt and pepper. We ate it with and without crackers.

For one of our meals we made Suzanne Somers Chicken Piccata with squeezed lemon and capers. We sliced red, yellow and green peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, summer squash and red onion and sauteed all in a smidge of olive oil seasoned with fresh parsley, basil and oregano from my garden. Served on my happy Pistoulet dishes it was a feast for the eyes too.

Tawnya loves breakfast. She scrambled nine eggs for the three of us with onions, green pepper and more cream cheese. I feel so good after a meal of natural fats rather than foods that turn to sugar like potatoes and rice. We had homemade guacamole and put peach salsa on top. Chocolate Velvet coffee tasted great and made the kitchen smell so good.

Teresa really wanted to taste the lemon curd, and fresh pesto, but we forgot. I had homemade gazpacho we didn't get around to either. My decadent dark chocolate Texas sheetcake with cinnamon and cayenne went untouched. That's okay. We're planning a next time.

copyright 2007 Red Convertible Travel Series