Eggplant is one of those vegetables that either you like or you don't. I happen to like eggplant. Of course, I haven't met a vegetable I didn't like. Why not fry up some sausage patties to go with it?

In the past, there were movies about pool sharks. They all seemed to be dubious characters on the fringe of society. I haven't seen such a movie lately. Pool halls were a thing of the past, located on side streets in the poorer section of town. The men knew where they were.

About 30 years ago, this salad was all the rage and dominated most potluck tables just as macaroni salad did in the ’60s. You seldom see it anymore, and that’s too bad. It is a delicious hearty salad. Makes a big batch, too.

There are a zillion strawberry jam recipes. This one is different, really different. There is no pectin in it. Since we see fresh strawberries in the produce section of Food City all year long, it can be made anytime. check out the other tasty combinations at the end of the recipe.

What’s the difference between a chipmunk and a mouse? The chipmunk has a striped back and cheek pouches. We consider both to be pests. Not so, for our cats. Chipmunks are their sources of entertainment as well as a snack.

"Far over the waves. I hear his sweet voice calling me." I first heard this old hymn when I took Hawaiian guitar lessons back in 1940. As I have said before, we were not church-going people. The words were so peaceful with a simple melody. Yeah right. But not when I tried to play it on my student guitar. The "waves" were generally choppy then.

You can now buy fresh asparagus year round. It is better than canned asparagus. Make this recipe whenever you feel like it. It makes a good company dish.

Here is an economical shrimp salad to make. Use as much shrimp as you like. If you have a can of shrimp in your pantry and some eggs in the fridge, you are all set. Use elbow, shells or amy other macaroni shape you like.

My father, Owen Stimer, grew up in a rural farm community in the early twentieth century. Dad's beloved mother was of the Wesleyan Methodist faith. She was in church every time the doors opened, so to speak. In Dad's early years, he was, too. Dad came to resent sitting on the hard wooden pews during the long boring church services. He decided church was not for him. His father's attitude probably confirmed his decision, but went too far.

That is a strange title. I will explain. Skin cancer is the basis for this story. Last August, I noticed a small lump on my face. I didn’t think much about it. After all, I have had my share of lumps over my 93 years. I would just keep an eye on it. It didn’t go away. It didn’t get any bigger, either, as the season changed to cooler weather. That was unusual. By Christmas, it was crusty but no bigger. My yearly appointment with the dermatologist would be coming up in March. I would have it checked then.