Nana Cooks

When you are young, there are lots of wishes to be made. There’s the new doll, the new movie to see, and maybe some more candy. I could never get enough candy. Get a little older, and you start wishing for a certain boy to ask you out, a new dress, –and the ever popular–I wish I were pretty.  A little older, and there’s the wish for more money, more time, more rest. But in between these everyman wishes, there are the very personal ones. I’ll share two. Two that will never be. Same old story. Waited too long. Missed my chance.

The first loss is shared by thousands it seems.  I longed to be on Law and Order.  The one they just canceled.  I so wanted to be one of the street people, a dead person, a member of the jury–anything!  Not gonna’ happen.  Dream dead.  I mean, I really like Bones, but being her victim doesn’t carry the same type of allure.  

 The other wish denied–parachuting from a plane.  It was always too expensive, too dangerous,too scary–too everything!  Now the age factor is there and all of those former “too’s” are multiplied by the age factor.  sigh.

But on a recent visit to family in St Pete, Florida, I witnessed my nephew parachute in his bright orange suit and do a perfect landing!  It was very, very exciting. I remember taking him on his first airplane ride and how he laughed delightedly when the plane bumped in midair.  Bob has accomplished much in his life, overcome some obstacles, and is now soaring high! He and Ted are such wonderful hosts!  Bob- always excited about what’s next on the agenda and Ted quietly making certain that all is being taken care of and that the guest are comfortable.

And another wish granted in Florida–I was able to see an old friend-39 years of friendship-whom I had not seen in 16 years. He and his wife took us to lunch at a super Greek restaurant in Tarpon Springs. [ if you are ever there, check out Hellas-good food]. When you see people from your past, people that mean a great deal to you, it can almost overwhelm you.  It is as if time slipped away and it was only a few weeks since you last met. Memories. Of course, there’s food.   When shared with those we love, it becomes a sacrament.

And share food we did–Barbara, Bob, Ted and Bruce and I had several wonderful meals together.  We took down the holy grail of food, as we always do for those in need–North Carolina BBQ !  It’s a fine, fun meal.  And we went to a great, great local restaurant.  So if you are visiting St Pete, you must go to The Hangar.  It is located at Albert Whitted Airport Terminal. Great service, great prices, and really great food.  They had spicy wings with a maple syrup dip–good grief it was good! All around the table you could hear ‘This is really good.  We need to come her more often.”  We considered finding Barbara a rich companion so she could go there lots.

Seeing my sister is a special treat.  We talk weekly, if not daily- me in North  Carolina, she in Florida, and that’s great.  But in person,– laughing, talking, watching Bob jump!– and eating –are  special moments.  Barbara became a chief cook in our house after my mother began to work at a department store when I was about 10. They only let me do the dishes–a job I still dislike!   Barbara,only 3 years older, but much more self aware, became a very good cook. Many of the dishes of my childhood were fixed by her.

You share memories with a sibling as with no one else.  I ask her,”do you remember..”  sometimes neither of us really can remember details, but we often come close.   It is a wonderful wish come true when you become close to your sister.   Having her in my life makes it better.  Life is not always easy.  Having an old friend is a good cushion for bad falls. 

 She may not be cooking as much as she did, but she’s still got it in the kitchen.  I love her potato salad and asked her to make it while we were there.  She did.  It’s good. Very good. And that’s the recipe that I wish to share today. She remembered that our mother liked it also.

Wish granted—Barbara’s Potato Salad

notes:  Barbara likes to use more salt than I usually do–but her way seems to work in this recipe.  She uses small  “Irish” potatoes in this recipe.  At least one  per person and two for the pot. We used seven potatoes, so that is the amount I’m putting down here.  You could, and should, adjust the recipe for the number you are serving.  And for lordy sake, do not use relish instead of pickles!  But do put lots of salt in the potatoes while cooking–and add  more later!

Ingredients:

7~ Irish potatoes cut into 1/2 inch cubes

4~ ribs of celery–inside pieces finely chopped

1/4 of a green pepper~finely chopped

4~ pickles~2 sweet, 2 baby kosher~ finely chopped–no     relish use small pickles

1/2 lemon~ squeeze over cooked potatoes

1/2 teaspoon dry dill

1/2 large sweet onion~finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1 cup Dukes, and only DUKES, mayonnaise

salt and pepper–lots and lot of salt.

Peel and cut potatoes into cubes.  Cook until done, but NOT mushy. squeese  the lemon over cooling potatoes.  Allow to cool before adding the dressing.

Mix the celery, pepper, pickle combination, dill, onion, sugar, Dukes, and salt and pepper.  After potatoes have cooled, mix all ingredients together and place in refrigerator.  Enjoy sometime later.

I wrote this recipe down as Barbara was cooking.  It is on the back flap of  my book, The Body Has a Mind of Its Own.  And you know what?  The heart has a mind of its own–so does love.

I hope you are loving your life–and your food –and your wishes.