My First Cookbook (c. 1959)

One of the benefits of cleaning out your attic is coming across long forgotten treasures. It's one of the risks, too . . . since I'm quite likely to prolong my cleaning job by stopping to chronicle stuff that might distintegrate. I thought I started to cook when I earned the Cooking Badge in Girl Scouts, but I guess I had already started experimenting with this little cookbook from the Imperial Sugar Co. in Sugarland, Texas (click here) It had to be third grade or before,because the covers have evidence of some first attempts at cursive writing and our phone number prefix was GY4 ("Gypsy") and zip codes were only two numbers between the city and state (Houston, 36, Texas). My "review"at the end of the cookbook read: "Oh! My! I like all of the recipes!" Too bad Jerry's Bars ("my best dish") and Toasty Tuna Casserole are no longer doctor-approved foods--I'd surely cook more than I do!

Ode to Campho-Phenique

Dear Daddy,

I never dreamed what a big response I'd get when I told my Facebook friends what was on my mind this afternoon . . EEA: Remember "Windex" from My Big Fat Greek wedding? My dad's miracle remedy is Campho-Phenique."
In just a few hours, here were some of the comments I received . . .

Katie T. likes this.

(Cousin) Susan: "Do they even sell that anymore? I'm amazed. It was my family's cure-all of choice too -- at least until Bactine came out. Must have been an Everett thing!

EEA: "Definitely Everetts. I've been sick, in fact, I had to cancel my trip to see my parents this week. Chuck called today to remind me that a drop in each nostril might just cure me!"

Julie P: It's a miracle!

(Cousin) Beth: 'Yep, I remember that stuff. What a distinctive aroma! Take care of yourself, cousin!"

Julie C: "I'm a HUGE believer in Campho-Phenique! It cures everything."

(Childhood friend) Luke: "We still use it for everything from sore gums to mosquito bites."

Katie Jo: "holy cow we used that stuff for everything, the scent takes me back!"

EEA: "Y'all are too much!!! Can't wait to tell "Chuckles" what a hit he was on FB today.

Well, Chuckles . . . all this (plus my Benydryl, Mucinex, C tabs and Campho-coated nostrils) took me back to the good old days when you would whip out the Campho-phenique and a Q-tip for everything from mouth ulcers to mosquito bites. If it was a really nasty scrape, we'd be crying before you ever touched it, chiding "Just blow on it--it doesn't hurt!" Whatever . . . decades later, look at all the people who are on the bandwagon supporting Dr. Chuck's medical brigade!

In your honor, here's a little Campho-phenique trivia and a place to click in case you should ever overdose on the stuff. In 1867, Joseph Lister demonstrated that phenol cleansing of patients' skin before andafter surgery could greatly reduce infections. In 1884, Campho-Phenique Liquid was introduced. In 1944, Campho-Phenique Liquid was purchased by Sterling Drug. In 1945, Campho-Phenique was repositioned as a first aid antiseptic. In 1979 Campho-Phenique Gel was formulated as a first aid product (less smelly, but not as effective, people!). In 1984, Campho-Phenique Gel was repositioned as a cold sore remedy. Finally, in 2003, Campho-Phenique Cold Sore Treatment for Scab Relief is launched. Now that's just GROSS!!

Finally, Daddy, since we didn't get to celebrate your 83rd birthday together since I got the crud (but not the oink flu) , I'll close with a little ditty I whipped up just for you (sing it to the tune of one of our favorites, Little Brown Jug)

If I had a great big sore in my mouth, I wouldn't look north and I wouldn't look south;

I'd go to my bathroom cabinet and see, the little green bottle that sets men free . . .

Oh, ho ho, you and me, Campho-Phenique has sure cured me;

Oh ho ho, you and me, Campho-phenique how I love thee!

And I love you, Chuckles . . .

Go This Way, Squirrels

Could anyone miss that Anna and Asha are in country again, spreading their joyful curiosity and creativity everywhere they go? Within five minutes of arrival, their big iron bed had a good jumping-on (it's living at our house while they're in India). However, it was a couple of days before I discovered the paper-twine-n-sticks signs they and Grandma Baas posted around my backyard . . .

"Go this way, squirrels"
"Yes, squirrels can eat the nuts"But evidently, NOT the nuts under the Pin Oak tree . . .

we should all live as if we're still 4 or 5!