Flipper’s Back 2009
If you read articles written by Paul Finebaum, then you already know that Flipper is what he called Urban Meyer, coach at the University of Florida, when he said he was going to quit coaching and didn’t (or at least hasn’t yet). Having read this, I thought Flipper might be a fitting name for yours truly under the circumstances. Well, here’s the deal: I did say I was going to stop writing this column and I did quit at the end of the year. Then every time I went out somewhere I had somebody ask about why or mention how much they missed reading Country Living. Then the execs at the paper asked me to return, so it was an ongoing thing. To be totally honest with you, I missed writing, too. Last Monday when I was doing my prayer time, I asked God if I were supposed to write to please give me a sign. That day seven different people told me they missed reading my articles – so I considered that to be the sign. I called The Weekly Post and asked them to count me in. They have been very kind about it all and said they would understand if I repeated myself, etc. During all this, one reader sent an e-mail stating: “Old writers never die – their quills just run dry.” That’s where I am at this point, so hang in there with me.
To bring you up to date somewhat, I wanted to buy something I could keep and enjoy with my last pay check. I deliberated that point over and over, finally deciding that I would buy a new set of cookware. In 1950, we hosted a party where cookware was sold and we purchased a set of aluminum cookware for $60. We could no more afford to buy that than we could fly over the moon, but buy we did and I believe we’ve gotten our money’s worth out of it. But to say the least, it looks as though it’s been used many years. Okay, John, the walker and I go to the mall in Gadsden and shop around for new cookware. I looked and looked (would never have believed I could last that long in the mall) and finally brought home a set of stainless cookware. Well, the first mistake was that I should have never bought a “set” because I will never use the skillets. I’m addicted to iron skillets and nothing will take their place. I’m still using the very first skillet we got after our l945 wedding. In early 1947 we were living in a little shotgun house in Geraldine and one night John walked out in “town” and somebody asked him to change a tire for them They paid him fifty cents and he used thirty-five cents of that to buy an iron skillet.
But back to the subject — I washed the new pots and pans and cleaned out the lower cabinet so I’d have a spot for storage. I set my two most often used old pots on a nearby counter until I could decide where to put them and they remain there ‘till today. I can’t use that new stuff!! Every day when it’s time to cook I reach for the old reliables. I’ve decided I’ll leave them setting there and use them and I’ll save the new for when company comes and I’ll have it setting out for them to see!! I’ve been guilty of trying to get the meal prepared, pots washed and put away before company arrives – that’s because the old pots look so bad!! Now I won’t have to hurry. I’ll just leave that shiny stuff setting out in plain sight. So much for the new cookware!!
A crazy quilt is my project for the winter and it’s progressing well. In the beginning, I meant to make the quilt using twelve squares. Three wide and four long with a border, but then I got other ideas and it grew to 16 squares. Well, that didn’t last either – so now my plans are to make it four squares long and five wide and this is the final plan. Of course, I’ll use a border. I’d rather have pictures hanging on the wall without a frame than to have a quilt without a border. This project is most relaxing, but messy. My corner that I call Vicks Salve Corner is a fright. Most important is the electric throw that goes over my lap and when it’s not in use it’s piled in the floor. Then I have four baskets of various sizes holding my working tools – the largest basket is filled with tatting supplies, as well as crochet thread and hooks plus other essentials. The next size basket holds large spools of Pearl Cotton, size 8 which is what I use when fancy stitching the quilt, the next size basket holds my favorite thread which is DMC Pearl Cotton size 8 and 12. The smallest basket holds silk ribbon – yes, I’m trying to learn to do ribbon embroidery and it is very tedious. A friend asked why I wanted to try to learn something new at this age!! Why the very idea!! I hope I never get too old to want to learn something new. That’s why Vicks Salve Corner looks like it does, but it’s mine and I love stitching – be it knitting, tatting, crochet or embroidery. Perhaps I inherited the love of stitching from my ancestors – as I understand it, all those ladies made pretty hand-stitched items. Years ago my daughter gave me a basket and in the bottom was a cross stitched saying that I adore: “When I in Glory stand, a crown perhaps upon my head, but a needle in my hand.”
Thanks for your response to my quitting this job. Now on Monday morning I’ll assume my usual position in front of the computer composing yet another Country Living.