Protect Our House

Attitude is where it's at. This baby chick has the right idea. There is a brother or sister residing in that egg. Family comes first.

But what about protecting "our" house? Insurance is expensive nowadays. Those people in Florida suffered from Hurricane Ian in October of 2022. Yes, flood insurance is costly. No matter for us, some would say. We are high and dry here on our ridge in Union County, Tennessee. Nothing like a ridge side to channel water down to Norris Lake.

Chicken Rice Casserole

Combine soup and milk in bowl. Stir in 1 cup of cheese. In large bowl combine chicken, broccoli and rice. Stir to combine. Add soup mixture. lightly lift and stir to combine. Pour into 9 by 13 inch buttered casserole dish. Top with remaining shredded cheese. Bake in preheated 350 F. oven until bubbly and heated through, 35 to 40 minutes. Serves 6.

Maggie Aka Maggot

About fifty years ago we were out of dogs. Our precious Kater was gone, as were several others after her. She was a full sized short­ haired dachshund. A friend at work had a small long-haired dachshund with a new litter of puppies. Kater had short black hair. These puppies had long wavy red hair. The mother was beautiful but mean. My friend distracted her long enough for me to grab the runt of the litter. It has been said they make the best pets but that's not always true. Certainly not in this case.

Cheesy Chicken Parmesan

Pound to flatten chicken breast halves between 2 sheets plastic wrap with mallet to 1/2-inch thickness. Sprinkle with garlic powder and salt. Dredge chicken in beaten egg mixture and then in crumbs.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot. Fry chicken until golden and no longer, pink in center, turning once for 12 to 15 minutes, Top each cutlet with 2 tablespoons pasta sauce and 1 slice mozzarella cheese.

Aluminum Wiring

Have you ever heard of aluminum wiring in a house? No? There was a time just after World War II when copper became so expensive that home builders cut costs by using aluminum wiring. It was single strand #12 and #16 aluminum.

We bought a house in a Jackson, Michigan subdivision called Birdland. That was because most of the streets were named after birds, such as Cardinal Crest and Oriole. The houses were contractor built in the early 1960's. To cut cost, they used the cheaper aluminum wiring. Some of the houses had aluminum studding as well. We didn't know about the aluminum wiring when we bought the house on McConnell Street in Birdland. We soon found out.

Mushroom Barley Pilaf

Mix chicken broth with enough water to equal 2 1/2 cups. Reserve.

In large skillet, heat butter and oil over medium high heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring, until softened, 5 minutes. Add mushrooms,1/4 teaspoons each of salt and pepper. Cook until softened, 5 minutes. Add garlic during last 30 seconds of cooking time. Transfer 1/3 cup of the mixture to small bowl. Reserve.

United Labor Food Bank

As the Detroit auto plants instated "just-in-time" parts delivery, parts manufacturers were hit hard. Imports from Japan hurt the local parts makers, too. In 1980, unemployment in Michigan hit double digits and kept going higher.

The laid-off workers soon exhausted their unemployment benefits. Most had little savings to tide them over to another job. Unless one had a special skill, jobs were hard to find.

Crispy Corn and Tomato Fritters

In skillet, heat 1/2 cup oil over medium-high heat. In bowl, whisk remaining oil and eggs. Mix in cornmeal, corn, tomatoes, green onions, 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Spoon 1/3 cupful batter into skillet. Fry, flipping once until golden, about 30 seconds per side. If desired, serve with lettuce, sliced avocado and more chopped tomatoes. Makes 6 servings

I Might Need It

It was no fun being poor during the Great Depression. I learned to "make do." That meant being a saver, but not a hoarder. There is a difference. A saver might have a need to an item in the future. A hoarder just kept an item rather than throw it away. Dented pots and pans, a wash tub with a hole in it or a broken leg on a stool, etc. That's hoarding in my book.