Cheryl's Food For Thought

Mom wrote for the Tri-County Press in Emerson, Nebraska until 1985 when it was bought up by a regional rag from Ponca. She would spend Sunday nights going through the phone book asking Emerson folks for "news" -- e.g., births, family vacation recaps, lost teeth. Think primitive Facebook feed. Some weeks she also shared her wisdom in a column called "Food for Thought." Here are some of her greatest hits.

[cherylsfoodforthought]

December 22, 1981–The Things You Seem to Find

Can you tell a woman’s interest by the contents of her purse? A purse is a necessary part of her dress and goes everywhere with her. I have come to prefer a smaller size purse even before I read that a heavy purse can make one shoulder lower than the other, according to “somebody’s” research. But even a small purse needs cleaning on occasion. Here is a list of what I found: a clothespin (!), a comb that needed washing, several receipts, THIRTEEN packages of matches (and I don’t smoke), nine pens (no wonder I can never find one to write news), a package of crackers, one breath mint, two tubes of lipstick, a rain hat, a container of jelly, a pair of folding scissors, a toothbrush, a paper clip, a very small amount of change, a Yogi Bear sticker, a cents-off coupon, a rosary, a checker, two balloons (NOT blown up), a toothpick, my checkbook, a boxtop, a nail-file, a rain check, a tablet, a club yearbook, a letter postmarked in October and a soda straw.

After filtering out all the “unnecessary” items and getting a lighter piece of baggage as a result, it makes me wonder if all this paraphernalia came from a smaller purse. Maybe my friends with a large purse really DO carry the kitchen sink with them!!

[cherylsfoodforthought]

April 21, 1981

How many clocks do you have at your home? Now let’s make the question more precise. How many timepieces do you have that tell the CORRECT time? Seems like visitors doubt our credibility when they look at the clock and ask, “Is that the right time?” Some people prefer to have one clock purposely set ahead just to make sure they get to where they are going on time. Battery-operated clocks seem to need replacements faster than we remember to buy those small gadgets of wizardry. Electric timepieces win heads-up for reliability–provided of course, that there has been no power outage. A digital clock can be a challenge if it should be even part of a minute ahead. There is not a dial to go backwards so you have to go forwards–and not just twelve hours unless you like awaking for breakfast right after supper. Grandfather and cuckoo clocks can drive us a little crazier if their noises don’t coincide with the time “according to the TV program.”

So now a golden opportunity approaches. A time to get off to a fresh start with all ticks tocking the same o’clock. This Sunday at 2 a.m. we can have all but our sundials set to daylight savings time. In accordance with the season, we are to “Spring ahead” with our windings. A good idea is to push ahead our clocks before retiring Saturday evening so that we’re sure to get to Church, Sunday School, the Golf Course or wherever on time the next day. As long as we’re going to change them anyway, it might be a good time to synchronize all our clocks. If you don’t re-set them, I can promise you’re going to have to wait six months to be on time again!

[cherylsfoodforthought]

March 31, 1981

A clergyman from the Big City Down South has been heard to relate the difference between Omaha weddings and a wedding in the “country” is the attitude towards the weather.  Down there a rainy day is to be a source of grumbling and complaint, while out here it is a happy couple who is to be so blessed!  

Saturday was a day that could have been a model for the theatrical masks of tragedy and comedy.  A morning walk through beautiful downtown windy Emerson heard sighs of ANOTHER night of predicted moisture that didn’t happen–or “Another One Bites the Dust.”  Early afternoon with its few sprinkles had everyone asking, “Is That All There Is?”  As time passed and the sky darkened, hope sprang anew.  The long awaited evening rain brought smiles and joy to the hearts of city and country folk alike. Children were seen running in the nearly forgotten phenomenon and vary a mother could complain.  Wet clothes would dry and the seldom seen mud could be cleaned up. 

By evening everyone knew it was “for real.”  People scurried toward shelter with cries of “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” and “I’m soaking wet and it’s beautiful.” To see the smiles on the farmers’ faces one would have thought it was a gully-washer in July. Sunday’s showers put the frosting on the cake. But, by golly, after so long a dry spell, the ever-optimistic farmer could nod his head and say, “I knew it was going to rain!” 

[cherylsfoodforthought]

December 18, 1984

My article for this week was shelved when I read of the plight of a small town seeking new business. An ad such as this was necessary when they found themselves with only three Main Street “attractions” and the people having to leave the town for any and all shopping. We in Emerson are blessed with quality stores. Granted, ALL our needs can’t be met here – new car, shoes, etc., but I can’t help wondering if we are kicking in the teeth those very businesses we have. People have told me they can’t afford to do their shopping locally.  I’d like to know their resident secret that keeps them in gas, oil, parking coins and the time to take off for bigger cities. I read the ads and recognize that there are times that I could get an item cheaper if I went out of town. But then I consider the variables mentioned above and know I couldn’t always come out ahead. It’s fun, to be sure, to get away to a bigger store and see the variety. But I also know that it’s up to those of us locals to KEEP our stores viable. We still do have a choice and we’d hate to lose that option. Perhaps each of us can give our local businesses a Merry Christmas.

[cherylsfoodforthought]

July 31, 1984

Whoever sang about the “lazy, hazy days of summer” was neither from a rural community nor had children. It seems the days of summer are not long enough for all the work that has to be done. There is garden produce to can or freeze. There is fieldwork to get done yesterday. There are lawns to be mowed and weeds to be cut. D-day for 4-H projects is rapidly approaching. Vacations must be taken before school starts and clearance sales hit back-to-school wear. Ball uniforms must be washed one last time before turning them in since tournaments are over following a hectic season. Meals have been catch-as-catch-can with each member’s schedule different each day. The automatic washing machine has been worth its weight in gold as it is always busy. If there is any truth to the statement, “No rest for the wicked,” I must be more evil than I thought!

[cherylsfoodforthought]

March 6, 1984

Tuesday was Teachers’ Recognition Day. Most teachers are dedicated people concerned with the results that may not show for years to come. When I was small, I had the idea that my teacher LIVED at school and we students were her whole life! I was fortunate and had a teacher that taught good spelling, grammar and reading skills during my formative years. (Math and science were not her strong points so alas, neither were they mine). Through all my years of schooling, the teachers that were the toughest were the ones that taught me the most. The more they expected, it seemed the more I could do. When a teacher showed they really cared about how you did, you couldn’t disappoint them. The demands on a teacher’s time, talents and patience are great and the rewards are few. I wish I could say to all my former teachers, “Thank You!!”

[cherylsfoodforthought]

July 2, 1985

Such a special day we are gifted with Thursday. It is truly a flag-waving day. How often we hear complaints about our country–but we don’t get thrown into jail for making them. We can write letters to newspapers to express opinions and we don’t get a knock on our door in the middle of the night because of it. We’re able to travel across state borders without a pass. We can apply for and work at jobs of OUR choice. We don’t have to wear uniforms or veils in our daily lives unless we want to. We are FREE and that is worth all the stuff we may not be happy with. It is sure better than any alternative. Let’s go off to our picnics or parades and fireworks displays feeling proud of our USA!!!

[cherylsfoodforthought]

June 14, 1983

There are times when I feel certain that I brought the wrong child home from the hospital. Why, when I am an advocate of afternoon siestas, do I get a bunch of kids who don’t know what the word “nap” means? I was raised on three meals a day but my bunch believe in eating non-stop. Watching television is something I rarely do. But these small-persons in-residence seldom turn it off! Could it be they take after their father?? We’ll be sure to wish him a “Happy Father’s Day”, Sunday.

[cherylsfoodforthought]

March 15, 1983

Even if an Equal Rights Amendment is passed, it will have no effect on basic inequality. Sleep. Men on the whole get more sleep than women. If there is a baby in the house, who gets up to feed it in the night or first thing in the morning? And what parent of a teenager can’t sleep comfortably until said teenager is home safely at night? The mother. If a child wakes in the night, who usually gets woken or at least gets up to solve the child’s dilemma? Mother again. The slightest sound in the still of the night can alter a woman’s alarm system. Now that alone would be bad if she could drift back to sleep. But women being the temper that they are tend to assume the cares of the world at that hour. For myself, I have written several novels that in the morning are not to be recalled, not even what they were about! Whatever we find to worry about all night is so-o-o small by dawn’s early light. BUT try to convince us of that at 2:00 or 3:00 or even 4 A.M. Don’t complain if we sneak in a nap–we earned it!  

[cherylsfoodforthought]

March 10, 1981

One need not be very old to learn the axiom, “If you don’t like the weather in Nebraska, wait until tomorrow.” There has been no cause to complain this winter of the weather outdoors. What seems to be bothering some of us–namely, women–is the temperature indoors. Knowing that Spring is still a few weeks away, we tend to wear our winter clothing (that’s logical) only to arrive at our destination and find we’re too hot! Without a doubt, the day without a jacket or sweater, someone–usually a man–is too warm and the thermostat goes down leaving us with chattering teeth.To make matters worse, if there’s a large group congregated there is always a difference in temps depending on where you sit and where the door is. Somehow it always seems the cold-blooded folk are seated in the draft while the heavily clad are right atop a furnace register. Looks like the only solution to this weighty problem will be the arrival of summer when we will all swelter together.  

[cherylsfoodforthought]

January 6, 1981

It couldn’t have come at a better time or to a better bunch of people.  The past two weeks plus the weekends comprised a SUPER-long Christmas vacation needed by the students, teachers and staff of the area schools.  The excitement of the holidays with gifts, good food, visits and parties created quite a flurry in most all the homes.  A bit of snow even provided a “white Christmas”–no sleigh riding or snow creations possible but at least the proper spirit.  All the festivities created havoc trying to keep the days of the week straight!  Soon the newly opened gifts needed a new battery, a lost part searched for or even broke.  Perhaps those cheer-filled voices turned to occasional bickering and possibly a “What can I do now?” was heard.  So after a good long respite,students, teachers and staff headed back to school Monday to finish the semester.  For the parents their return couldn’t have come at a better time or for a better bunch of people.

[cherylsfoodforthought]

September 1, 1981

Remember the fable about the ant and the grasshopper? The first stored up his food for the winter and the latter just fiddled away his time and went hungry later on. As any gardener or farmer could tell you, this Summer has seen many a grasshopper. And though he may not be storing anything away, he seems to be getting his fill!

The busy-ness of the ant, however, could be seen in many homes these past several weeks. With most gardens bounteous in their harvest, many the “fruits of labor” have been canned, frozen, pickled, diced and preserved. It’s been a year of sharing too–not only the “Goodies,” but also the recipes for keeping them have been passed around. (Seems there’s always something “new,” “easier,” “faster,” or “better” under the sun.) Advance reports predict a cold winter ahead. But there should be many reminders on the tables of this Summer’s blessings.

[cherylsfoodforthought]

August 31, 1982

When I was growing up, Mondays were “Wash Day” and Tuesdays were the day to iron. My mother used psychology and said I was the “Best ironer around.” So my Tuesdays were pretty busy. Once school started, this activity occupied every afternoon when I returned home. Those were the days of wash and wear fabric. The only way you could wear them after washing was if you didn’t mind looking like you wore them to bed!

The items were washed, rinsed, put through the wringer and then hung out. Before ironing they had to be “sprinkled” with water. Once wettened they had to be ironed right away or else put into the refrigerator. If time ran out and you didn’t want the clothes getting an odor, we’d pack them in plastic and freeze them. I was sure I was the only girl in my class who had to defrost her favorite blouse before school!

We kids could always tell when company was coming. The ironing board would be missing from its usual place. These days, thanks to permanent press, my boys don’t even recognize what that skinny, long-legged table is for! Cotton clothes are coming back in style. I just hope the ironing board doesn’t.

[cherylsfoodforthought]

Summer of ‘79

[cherylsfoodforthought]

August 24,1982

In some ways, we are each a product of our childhood. For me, and to the checkbook’s dismay, one trait I developed was that of a bargain hunter. When I see a “good buy” I usually stock up. Consequently, I seldom run out of anything. This sounds rather admirable, wouldn’t you say? 

But, paraphrasing what Chris said in last week’s Press, “nothing ever turns out as good as it should.” Have you ever opened a five pound bag of rye flour just to find it had fallen victim to moisture and old age and hardened into a brown rock? Or what about buying something at the beginning of the season only to find a few weeks later that the price has been reduced? How about avoiding the rush by purchasing school supplies early in the summer? After “re-buying” a box of crayons, I’m hoping to find the first box by next semester!

[cherylsfoodforthought]

Mom with her most favorite daughter #mother&daughterlove

[cherylsfoodforthought]

July 23, 1985

“Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.” That admonition of long ago has proved to be so very true. This can be amended to “and little of what you read.” I was once the subject of a two-page feature. The pictures were false as I don’t usually dress in my Sunday best just to practice the piano. In fact, when I read the finished article, I almost didn’t recognize the character!

A relative living a thousand miles away called on the phone to see how the blizzard was affecting us. (He had heard about it over the TV network news.) By that time, the sun was blazing and the snow nearly melted.

A Washington correspondent tells us that the news of the day is contrived to show what is supposed to be shown. I always wonder what is being neglected when a “hot” story is being headlined at each and every newscast, with specials even?!

A skeptic I have become but I will continue to try to be informed and just sort the bad from the terrible and do my part to maybe make things a bit better.