Country Cousin

Shadow or no shadow?...



The sun rose in a cloudy sky on the morning of Groundhog Day, Tuesday, Feb. 2, but then the clouds rolled out and the sun shined brightly for a few hours, so we can't be sure if that old groundhog saw his shadow or not. Depends on when he woke up.

That said, we here in TIMESLand are pretty much assured there will be at least six more weeks of winter. So far we've been spoiled by moderate weather this winter, but it looks like that is about to change. Those who know are predicting snow on Thursday, and sub-zero temperatures next week. If the extreme cold lasts long enough it could drive the frost so far into the ground that it will take the next five weeks for things to thaw out.

COMING UP

Don't forget that Valentine's Day is coming up in 10 days, on Sunday, Feb. 14, and President's Day comes on Monday, Feb. 15. Lent starts in just two weeks, on Wednesday, Feb. 17, so that means Easter will be here in two months, on Sunday, April 4. The annual City of Peshtigo Easter Egg Hunt, scheduled for Saturday, April 3, is to be held outdoors at Badger Park, come rain or come shine.

That may mean to wear a rain coat or bring an umbrella, or the kiddies may still need snow suits and what we used to call galoshes.

MONEY BACK, PLEASE

Should try to get my money back for false advertising. Bought a magazine whose cover advertised, "Lab Secrets: Wake Up Rested and Gorgeous." Tried out a few of the sleep secrets and may have rested better, but certainly didn't end up gorgeous. It's simply not fair!

Some of the suggestions included setting an alarm for half an hour before bedtime to allow time for wind-down and beauty rituals before actually getting into bed for an 8-hour nap.

Other suggestions were turn the lights down during bedtime rituals, falling asleep to scents of lavender or peppermint, turning on "white noise" or soothing music for a soothing night of sleep, opening a window and cuddling up in a snug blanket, and reading soothing poetry during the half-hour before sleep time.

Sleeping on two pillows or with the head of the bed elevated was said to reduce under-eye bags, but personally found it impossible to sleep that way.

Sleeping on a silk pillow case does help prevent hair-do damage.

CELEBRATING A LIFE

This is somewhat of a sad week. Mary Ann Gardon, who has been my treasured friend and a major mentor throughout my 45-year career with the Peshtigo Times, passed on to her final reward on Monday, Feb. 1.

Surely she is in Heaven now, the goal she most ardently sought during the four decades that I knew her. She was one of the most deeply religious individuals I have ever known, and put her responsibilities to God ahead of every other responsibility.

And she had many, many responsibilities. She was editor of the Peshtigo Times, and did it while raising a family of 11 wonderful children.

She put her priorities in the right order. God first. Children second. Newspaper third, but still very important. She edited news stories and handled billing from home while her children were growing up, but she was never too busy to allow time for God.

She prayed the Rosary every day, attended Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, prayed frequent Novenas, fasted and abstained from meat on Fridays and during Lent, and visited holy sites on several pilgrimages. She wasn't afraid to ask for help from her guardian angel or one of her various favorite saints whenever she felt help was needed, and that was often.

But she had a fun side too, and we laughed a lot together.

Perhaps the main professional lesson passed on to me by Mary Ann, her husband Charlie Gardon, and her father L. J. Pesch was that our major responsibility to Peshtigo Times readers was to report the news accurately and without bias, and provide sufficient information about activities of all our local elected officials in a way that would give readers the information they needed to make informed decisions at the polls. They frequently preached that without a free and unbiased press, democracy simply cannot work.

She had less than no respect for elected officials who tried to hide their activities, and was sometimes known to take them to task for that lack. Occasionally she succeeded in getting them to change their ways, and I've seen some come back to thank her for that.

She was a strong supporter of family values, community events, education, patriotism, various charities, and civic improvements when warranted and when they could be done without undue impact on taxpayer pocket books.

As I say farewell, Mary Ann, I can only hope that I have been able to live up to the values you so strongly believed in throughout your 83 year career with The Peshtigo Times and your 92 years on this Earth.

God bless and keep you, Mary Ann. Hope to see you up there some day.

IMPEACHMENT

There's much in the news lately about attempts of legislators to impeach former President Donald Trump even though he is already out of office so he can't be removed. Was searching some very old Country Cousin columns for other information, and came across this old commentary from a column in 1999. Most everyone probably remembers the Monica Lewinsky scandal and how lightly the press treated President Bill Clinton.

The 1999 column read:

With the impeachment hearings (against then-President Bill Clinton) winding down, and everyone pretty well sick of reading about his carryings on, this is probably the last chance I'll get to tell this story. It was opening week of school, a beautiful Friday afternoon. The Monica Lewinsky inquiry was still in full swing, and all of a sudden it seemed like every woman connected with the presidential scandals was talking.

"Little Johnny's teacher told the class she would give a pop quiz. Who ever got the right answer first could have the rest of the afternoon off.

First question: "Which president said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand'?

Little Johnny raised his hand, but Rosie called out, "Abe Lincoln." Teacher said Rosie could leave for the afternoon.

Next question: "Who said, "I cannot tell a lie'?" Again Little Johnny knew the answer, but as he waved his hand, Suzie yelled, "George Washington". Teacher said Suzie could leave.

"I wish those darn girls would keep their mouths shut!" Johnny muttered. "Who said that?" Teacher demanded, and Johnny blurted, "Bill Clinton!...I'm outa here!" as he headed for the door. As were printed in 1999.

ON THE SOAP BOX

RIGHT TO LIFE

On January 13, 1984, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating January 22 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day in response to the tragic Roe vs. Wade decision issued by the United States Supreme Court on January 22, 1973. That decision in effect legalized abortion-on-demand in all 50 states, and resulted in legal murder by abortion of thousands, probably even millions, of innocent unborn babies. Those murders of the most innocent and the most helpless members of humanity have been mourned by many Christians in America ever since.

The Roman Catholic Church has issued edicts against Abortion, and considers the murder of unborn innocents to be a mortal sin.

Many of the mourners are mothers who had their unborn babies murdered and lived to regret it. Sadly, I have known many who never did get over the guilt, never did fully believe that God could or would really forgive them for murdering one of His innocent angels that had been entrusted to them. Sadly also, many of those women were unable conceive again, and they lived to believe being childless was their punishment for murdering the child that would and should have been.

The Sunday closest to the date of that horrific Supreme Court decision has been designated as "Right To Life Sunday" by churches all around the United States. On that day, those who believe in the Right to Life celebrate God's gift of life, mourn the many lives lost to abortion, and commit themselves to protecting human life at every stage, pre-birth through old age.

This year Sunday, Jan. 24 was the day most pro-life groups chose to observe as Sanctity of Human Life Sunday.

Personally find it significant that President Joe Biden, who is frequently praised in liberal media speel as being "deeply religious" and "a devout Catholic" proved that neither is true just one week after being sworn into office. On Thursday, Jan. 28 he signed documents reversing actions of former President Donald Trump that prevented use of United States taxpayer dollars to to fund abortions all around the world.

And - not in so many words, but in effect - this "devout Catholic" has also promised to defy the Catholic Church's edict against abortions by restoring funding for the heinous Planned Parenthood group that promotes abortions and reportedly sells aborted human fetuses for scientific research and other uses.

STILL ON THE SOAP BOX

FATHER'S RIGHTS

Also on the subject of abortions, the liberals who pretend to be so mindful of minority rights and so protective of mother's rights to murder their unborn babies heartlessly ignore the rights of fathers-to-be.

As it stands right now in this nation, if a pregnant woman wants an abortion, it is considered her decision alone. It's her body, after all.

On the other hand, if she decides to let the child be born, the father is generally required to support it to age 18, or even through college. It's his body and his mind that do the work to provide that support, but he has no say at all in the mother's decision.

We all too often share the grief of men who forever mourn the mother's decision to kill child they thought would become their pride and joy.

Where is the justice in this?

COOKIN' TIME

SHIPWRECK STIR FRY

This very forgiving recipe is custom-made for times when you're out of time and out of money. Costs very close to nothing for about six servings. For the meat, use pork roast or steak or beef roast, cut into very thin slices, or even use ground pork, turkey or hamburger made into small balls. The recipe calls for frozen stir-fry veggies, but if you have none, use an equivalent amount of fresh veggies cut into thin slices or small cubes. Carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, onion and celery are nice. Also zucchini or summer squash, green pepper, cabbage, etc. Almost anything except potatoes or rutabagas. Asparagus is especially nice if you have it.

You'll needed:

1 tablespoon oil or margarine

1 pound lean boneless meat, very thinly sliced

1 package frozen stir-fry vegetables

3 packages ramen noodles, your choice of flavors

3 cups water

Heat a heavy fry pan or wok with oil. Stir fry meat until browned. Add veggies and stir fry about 3 minutes with cover on. Add the 3 cups hot water, and simmer about 10 minutes or almost as long as the package directions for the veggies. Add the noodles and simmer another 3 to 4 minutes until noodles are done and most of water is absorbed. You may like it with a bit of soy sauce, and extra pepper. Good with French bread and a fruit pie for dessert if you want a whole meal. Also good for breakfast, especially if you add chopped scrambled eggs, or make a fake egg drop soup by beating a raw egg with a fork and then stirring it slowly into the bubbling soup mixture.

RASPBERRY SWIRL ROLLS

Say "I Love You" with a pan of these wonderful pink sweet rolls for breakfast on Valentine's Day, or to greet the ones you love when they get home from work or school. These are very special, and not for the faint-hearted cook. You can bake them the night before for a sweet treat in the morning, though.

1/2 cups whole milk

1 1/4-ounce package active dry yeast

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

3 cups all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 teaspoon salt

Oil, for pan

1/3 cup raspberry jam

2 teaspoons lemon zest

2 tablespoons. fresh lemon juice

2 cups frozen raspberries (do not thaw)

2 tablespoons heavy cream, for brushing

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

In small saucepan, heat milk and 1/2 cup water on medium-low until warm but not hot to the touch. Meanwhile, in large bowl, whisk together yeast, granulated sugar and 1 cup flour. Stir in warm milk. Cover and set aside until thick and foamy, about 15 minutes. Mix in melted butter and salt. Gradually mix in remaining 2 cups flour. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, lightly coat 11" by 8" casserole dish with oil. Line pan with parchment paper, leaving a 3-inch overhang on 2 long sides; oil the parchment. In small bowl, combine jam, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Turn dough out onto floured surface. Roll into 12" by 9" rectangle. Spread with jam mixture and top with raspberries. Starting from long side, roll dough into tight log, pinching seam to seal.  Slice into one inch pieces to create a dozen 1-inch thick rolls. Transfer rolls, cut sides up, to prepared pan, spacing equally. Cover and let rise until rolls have doubled in size and are touching, 50 to 60 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 375 degrees. Brush rolls with heavy cream and bake until puffed and light golden brown, 25 to 27 minutes. Let cool on wire rack 10 minutes. While they cool, make the frosting by combining sour cream, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and remaining tablespoon of lemon juice. Spread over the rolls while they are still warm.

STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE PANCAKES

3/4 cup strawberry preserves (low sugar is fine)

8 ounces strawberries, hulled and halved

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups buttermilk

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

6 ounces cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons butter

Confectioners' sugar for garnish

In medium bowl, microwave preserves on high 1 minute or until melted. Stir in strawberries; set aside. In large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt. In another large bowl, with mixer on low speed, beat buttermilk, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla and zest until combined. With hands, add cream cheese in chunks. Beat until cream cheese is well distributed but still slightly lumpy. Add buttermilk mixture to bowl with dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Small lumps are okay. Melt a tablespoon butter over medium heat in a In 12-inch nonstick skillet. When pan is hot and foam from butter subsides, add batter by heaping quarter-cupfuls. to make pancakes. Cook 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbles begin to appear and edges are set, then flip and cook another 2 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. If desired, transfer cooked pancakes to baking sheet in 225 degree oven to keep warm. Cook remaining batter in batches, adding more butter as needed. Serve pancakes topped with strawberry mixture and dusting of confectioners' sugar.



THE COUNTRY COUSIN

Thought for the week: One of my old classmates, Robert Zylkowski, posted this poignant but simple message on Facebook: "I believe in God. I believe in angels. And I believe in the power of prayer." Amen to that, and thank you, Bob, for reminding all of us that whatever happens, the answers can be found in prayer. Now, let us share in a prayer asking God to spare this nation from the punishment we so richly deserve for allowing evil so often, in so many ways, to drive out the good that we once all believed in. Sodom and Gomorra were surely no worse than America is today, and they were destroyed by fire and brimstone. What sort of punishment may be in store for us if we persist in standing silent while allowing the forces of evil to grow stronger and stronger every day?

(This column is written by Shirley Prudhomme of Crivitz. Views expressed are her own and are in no way intended to be an official statement of the opinions of Peshtigo Times editors and publishers. She may be contacted by phone at 715-291-9002 or by e-mail to shirleyprudhommechickadee@yahoo.com.)

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