Hi Ben,

She had to go to summer school (about 250 miles away) for part of it; as oldest daughter I got the brunt of cooking, cleaning, etc. Did me well
when I left home to get married, neither of my sisters could hardly boil water when they left home. I tell Steve that I got most (not quite all) of my cooking mistakes out before we got married.

That sounds hardcore in my book. I also helped out around the house,
but to a lesser extent. I still had many cooking mistakes to make
after moving out. It's interesting how varied the experience is for different siblings in the same family. Just out of curiosity, were
you the eldest?

In my growing up, the guys weren't expected to do any of the cooking.
I'm the second oldest of 5, first girl. I had (now deceased) an older brother,others still living are younger sister, younger brother and
youngest sister. All of them did their share of criticising my cooking
but didn't do much to help; younger sister did do some baking but as a
small part of a few meals. Dad wasn't a creative eater which helped
then, but after getting married, then Steve joining the Army really
expanded my cooking horizons. Of all my siblings, I have had the most adventuresome life and it is reflected in my cooking/eating.

Probably Army but working for OSS (precurser to CIA) or a similar

agency. RH> Sounds interesting; I wonder how much of it he could have
made public in a RH> book. It would be interesting reading.

Now that you mention it, i think he was in the Army. I am not sure
what role he was in there... He also told me stories about working in
the ship yards in Portland, OR, building ships for the war effort. It sounded like he came from a poor family, but his parents were more
loving than normal. He said they always gave their children choices, explaining what the consequences would be of each choice, and they
always gave them a space of their own where they could go if they did
not want to be disturbed.

Sounds like his parents were definatly taking a different path to child rearing--makes me wonder (my sociology/psychology studies coming
out--G--) what their childhood was like. They were too old to be of the
hippie generation where that sort of child raising was more common.

He was working while in his 80's. At that time he told me his

health BC> insurance cost $900 per month. He said that even if they
paid him BC> nothing it would still be worth going to work in order to
have health BC> insurance at his age.

It does sound like he had his priorities straight. We've always had good
health insurance--at both places where Steve worked prior to joining the
Army and then the military care. We're both on Medicare and Tricare for
Life now, the latter is a benefit of 26 years of military service.

He had been married a bunch of times, and was divorced a few times and
a widower a few times. When i knew him he lived quite alone, though i helped him set up video conferencing with his daughter who lived in another state.

Steve set my parents up with Skype for a couple of years. They enjoyed
talking with their granddaughters that way. Mom and Dad both passed away
before Zoom but we've used it to talk to our girls and their families.

The indoor kittie is sick. She has a fever, dilated pupils, and is
moving around very slowly. She hadn't eaten for several days and
finally ate a little this morning. I hope that means she's on the
mend.

Poor kitty, hope she gets better quickly. We can't have any dogs or cats
but sometimes take care of our neighbor's cocker spaniel. His vet
reccommended that he have 2 or 3 spoonsful of green beans (canned) with
his kibble--never heard of that before. Our cocker spaniel would eat
most anything but I don't remember him eating green beans. His favorite
human food was popcorn. (G)

---
Catch you later,
Ruth
rchaffly{at}earthlink{dot}net FIDO 1:396/45.28


... Our necessities are few but our wants are endless...

--- PPoint 3.01
* Origin: Sew! That's My Point (1:396/45.28)

Re: Publishing, Crockpots
By: Ruth Haffly to Ben Collver on Thu Jan 29 2026 02:17 pm

Hi Ruth,

Sounds like his parents were definatly taking a different path to child rearing--makes me wonder (my sociology/psychology studies coming out--G--) what their childhood was like. They were too old to be of the hippie generation where that sort of child raising was more common.

He didn't say anything about his parents' childhood, though he did say that they were descended from fairly recent immigrants from an eastern European country, i forgot which. He was too old to be a hippie, let alone his
parents. He did tell me that his mother became a widow and she moved in
with him when she couldn't take care of herself any more. He remembered
her kindness and made sure she had her own place to retreat to where she wouldn't be disturbed.

Poor kitty, hope she gets better quickly. We can't have any dogs or cats but sometimes take care of our neighbor's cocker spaniel. His vet reccommended that he have 2 or 3 spoonsful of green beans (canned) with
his kibble--never heard of that before. Our cocker spaniel would eat most anything but I don't remember him eating green beans. His favorite human food was popcorn. (G)

Sunday the indoor kitty recovered to the point where she could walk again
and she spent the afternoon napping in the sun outside. I have hope!

A friend of mine had two dogs with arthritis. He gave them a combination
of 4 ingredients, CBD, Kelp, and i forgot the other two. Said it helped
a lot.

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06

Title: Broccoli Fridge Clean Out Soup
Categories: Soups
Yield: 4 Servings

4 Celery ribs; diced
2 md Carrots; diced
1/2 lg Red onion; diced
1 lg Broccoli head
1 lg Zucchini
8 oz Shiitake mushrooms (225 g)
1 Garlic head;
- roasted, use half if
- you're not a big garlic
- fan
3 c Vegetable broth; up to 4 c
3 c Hearty greens; your choice
2 ts Oregano (2 g)
Salt & pepper; to taste
1 tb Vegan butter (14 g)
1/2 tb Oil (7 ml)
1/2 c Vegan coconut cream or
- plant-based milk;
- up to 1 c,
- for extra creaminess
- (optional)
Grilled cheese croutons;
- for topping (optional)

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes

Eliminate waste and make a delicious dinner with this Broccoli Fridge
Clean-Out Soup! Rich and creamy, with optional grilled cheese
croutons.

In a large pot, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add the diced
celery, carrots, and onion with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Saute
for 8 to 10 minutes.

Stir in the oregano and 1 cup of hearty greens around the 5 minute
mark. Cook until the greens are wilted.

Add the roasted vegetables, vegetable broth (start with 3 cups), and
roasted garlic. Bring to a simmer and cook for at least 5 minutes, or
up to 20 minutes for deeper flavor.

Transfer to a blender (or use an immersion blender). Add the
remaining 2 cups of hearty greens and blend until smooth. Add more
broth if needed to adjust thickness.

Stir in vegan coconut cream or plant milk for an even silkier texture.

Top with grilled cheese croutons and enjoy!

Preheat your oven to 400?F (200?C). Spread the broccoli, zucchini,
and mushrooms on a baking tray and roast for 30 minutes. Roasting
brings out a rich, deep flavor.

Recipe by Jessica Hylton

Recipe FROM:
<https://jessicainthekitchen.com/broccoli-fridge-clean-out-soup/>

MMMMM
--- SBBSecho 3.23-Win32
* Origin: The Fool's Quarter, fqbbs.synchro.net (1:105/500)

Hi Ben,

Sounds like his parents were definatly taking a different path to child rearing--makes me wonder (my sociology/psychology studies coming out--G--) what their childhood was like. They were too old to be of the hippie generation where that sort of child raising was more common.

He didn't say anything about his parents' childhood, though he did say that they were descended from fairly recent immigrants from an eastern European country, i forgot which. He was too old to be a hippie, let alone his

Sort of wish you could have talked with him some more? Every so often
I'll read something about somebody I never knew or knew for part of my
past life and realise I never knew that. Especially with people I knew;
it would have added a new dimension to our friendship.

parents. He did tell me that his mother became a widow and she moved
in with him when she couldn't take care of herself any more. He remembered her kindness and made sure she had her own place to retreat
to where she wouldn't be disturbed.

Sweet! At one point we thought my dad would pre-decease my mom (He was 7
years older and had several health issues.) and we would be the ones to
take mom in. As things worked out, she developed Alzheimer's ane we had
to put her into care for that. She predeceased Dad by 3 years; he went
into a nursing home a couple of months after her death. As things are
turning out, we're not caring for Steve's parents either--Dad passed
away 4 years ago, Mom is in assisted living.

Poor kitty, hope she gets better quickly. We can't have any dogs or

cats RH> but sometimes take care of our neighbor's cocker spaniel. His
vet RH> reccommended that he have 2 or 3 spoonsful of green beans
(canned) with RH> his kibble--never heard of that before. Our cocker
spaniel would eat most RH> anything but I don't remember him eating
green beans. His favorite human RH> food was popcorn. (G)

Sunday the indoor kitty recovered to the point where she could walk
again and she spent the afternoon napping in the sun outside. I have hope!

Sounds like she's getting her motor recharged.

A friend of mine had two dogs with arthritis. He gave them a
combination of 4 ingredients, CBD, Kelp, and i forgot the other two.
Said it helped a lot.

Whatever works. We had to rehome our last cat when she developed some
health issues. It got to the point where we told the vet to either find
someone willing to take on a cat with health issues or put her down. The
vet was thinking surgery (which we couldn't afford would be the next
option and we were moving (military) in a short time. The vet found an
older couple, willing to take on a cat with health challenges; they fell
in love with Jenny-cat when we brought her to meet them. Hopefully she
lived a long, happy life.

Title: Broccoli Fridge Clean Out Soup
Categories: Soups
Yield: 4 Servings

Sounds like what I've done different times. I've made "Monday (or
whatever night of the week it's made) Night Surprise" as a clean out
odds and ends from the fridge meal. Last night tho, I made rouladen,
flank steak pounded thin or round steak cuts, spread with mustard,
topped with a dill pickle spear and slice of bacon, then browned, and
braised, chopped onion in the braise broth. The broth is made into
gravy. Served with red cabbage and mische brot (German sourdough, found
at Wegman's. I may cook some noodles to go with the left overs later
this week.

---
Catch you later,
Ruth
rchaffly{at}earthlink{dot}net FIDO 1:396/45.28


... It works! Now, if only I could remember what I did.

--- PPoint 3.01
* Origin: Sew! That's My Point (1:396/45.28)

Hi Ben,

Sort of wish you could have talked with him some more? Every so often I'll read something about somebody I never knew or knew for part of my past
life and realise I never knew that. Especially with people I knew; it
would have added a new dimension to our friendship.

Well, i wish i could still talk with him. An odd bit of trivia: like
my grandmother he was left handed and was punished in school if he
wrote or drew with his left hand.

I'm also left handed, somewhat ambidexterous as for some years my
parents tried making me right handed. I don't recall what prompted the
switch but I do some things right handed still, some left handed only
and some I'll use either or hand. Comes in handy (no pun intended) when stirring a pot that needs continuous stirring; I can change hands when
one gets tired.

Sounds like she's getting her motor recharged.

Yes, she is bouncing back nicely now. She is much more mobile, though
i see her making false starts with her jumps. Something is going on
with her hind legs, and i suspect it is neurological. A friend tells
me to make
sure she is getting enough taurine, but i doubt that's the problem
because she eats grocery store pet food and i've read that's not
generally a
problem.

I wouldn't know, never researched cat food that extensivly. At one point
the vet wanted us to try a lamb and rice diet with Jenny-cat. Ever see a
cat go on a hunger strike and push the bowl away? She did; that stuff
was nasty so the vet said to put her back on her usual Purina One cat
chow.

The vet found an
older couple, willing to take on a cat with health challenges; they fell
in love with Jenny-cat when we brought her to meet them. Hopefully she lived a long, happy life.

What a wonderful story!

The indoor cat i mentioned here is a rescue cat, though she didn't
have any health problems when she moved in.

I miss her at times. She had been abused as a kitten and put in a
(German) animal shelter, adopted, with another cat, from there and then
both cats given to friends of ours. When they went back to the States,
they only wanted to take one cat so offered us the (extremely) shyer of
the two. We decided "yes", one night while Steve and I were visiting
(before the family moved), Jenny-cat came out of hiding and parked
herself on my lap. The wife gasped "she's never done that before"; we
took it as a sign that the cat wanted us for her new family. She was
very shy, even when we had her, but opened up more in a quiet household.
She was a grey tabbly with beautiful green eyes.

Sounds like what I've done different times. I've made "Monday (or whatever night of the week it's made) Night Surprise" as a clean out odds and ends from the fridge meal. Last night tho, I made rouladen, flank steak pounded thin or round steak cuts, spread with mustard, topped with a dill pickle spear and slice of bacon, then browned, and braised, chopped onion in the braise broth. The broth is made into gravy. Served with red cabbage and mische brot (German sourdough, found at Wegman's. I may cook some noodles to go with the left overs later this week.

Wow, your leftover fridge cooking turned out to be full-fledged German restaurant food. I'd invite myself to your table.

Some nights are better than others; tonight was a meal out at the Angus
Barn in Raleigh (Google it) for a wedding reception. Not sure what
tomorrow will bring.

Recently i made cole slaw and put in too much mayo. I could have
added more cabbage to balance it out, but i found another remedy. I
used it as a
sandwich topping along with radish and cheese slices. The cole slaw
also has beets and vinegar in it, and the sandwiches are vaguely reminiscent of reuben sandwiches.

I make my cole slaw with cabbage, carrots and pineapple; my MIL gave me
the recipe decades ago and it's still our all time favorite. Haven't
found a cole slaw that measures up to it yet. (G)

---
Catch you later,
Ruth
rchaffly{at}earthlink{dot}net FIDO 1:396/45.28


... ... Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans-J. Lennon

--- PPoint 3.01
* Origin: Sew! That's My Point (1:396/45.28)