It appeared out of nowhere several weeks back,
as no one in the office took credit for it or seemed to know
about its arrival. But then, as I dug it out from under a
pile of paperwork on my desk during a major clean-up this
week, I noticed something stuck to it. A note reading, From
Donna Payne in Louisiana, to you!
How embarrassed I was. The little black book – different
than most I’ve ever seen – was noticeably worn and
as I opened its fragile cover, I could see why on the first
page. “ Every Woman’s Home Cook Book . . .An Economical,
Practical Guide for the Twentieth Century Housekeeper. . .
Containing A Most Complete Collection of the Best Culinary
Receipts (yes, correct spelling there!) with Full Instructions
for Successfully Using Them. Compiled by Florence Crosby Parsons.
Ok, that is gift enough, but the fact that Donna Payne remembered
me and my penchant for cooking, was most special.
Donna was once a welcoming receptionist at the place I now
work every day. I saw her every Wednesday afternoon several
years ago when I stopped by for my Watauga Democrat, even
before I became a part of “the family.”
I had this routine to leave our home on Bamboo around 2 p.m.,
stop by the newspaper office – especially on Wednesdays
– enjoy a quick chat with Donna, pay for a newspaper,
move on to Hardin Park Elementary to wait in the long line
of spoiled parents for my little boy to run out the door as
the bell rang. What I’d give to call back those years
for more reasons than one. Thank you, Donna, for being a part
of those sweet memories– and for remembering me with
this time-honored keepsake.
Let’s try a few “receipts” from within its
yellowed, well-worn pages that have stood the test of time
and taste.
One might need to “read between the lines” to figure
it all out.
I’ve included a couple of the simpler ones from the book.
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