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Tell Me About Yourself!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 2 Comments

What a terrible comment!

Could you be more specific? Perhaps ask where I’m from or my education or what is my job? I just heard this remark on a TV show and was irritated. I can remember sitting in a chair squirming while the guy across from me grinned. He had said, Tell me about yourself! What did he want to hear? My life’s story? I won a blue ribbon for the train I drew in elementary school; I should have started with that.

This was not a job interview, but it felt like it. I was introduced to a friend of the man I eventually married. If I hadn’t been so intimidated, I could have thought of some interesting attributes!

People are interesting. Their talents are discovered through conversation. Artists, chefs, writers, and scholars can be revealed. I don’t think anyone would share his or her talent in response to that comment. Maybe the best response is, I’m a great listener. Tell me all about you!

Coffee is more than a drink!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / Leave a comment

The joy of a cup of java!

Many of us begin our day with a cup of coffee, but it took The Boston Tea Party for coffee to become the drink of the people. Rebelling against the tax on tea, the colonists turned to coffee. Coffee was part of the rations the soldiers (both Union and Confederate) received during the Civil War. During WWII, coffee was rationed here in order to ensure our soldiers had enough. After the war, instant coffee became popular. My mother drank it, and I don’t know how. Yuck!

Coffee has had a profound effect on society. There are coffee houses, coffee breaks, coffee groups, and “Let’s meet for coffee.” The quiet time spent talking over a cup of coffee is special. It’s a time of sharing and listening. For many, it’s a time to relax and perhaps reconnect with those who are important in our lives. Our lives are busy and sitting down with a cup of coffee is frequently needed. The caffeine helps too!

I salute James Folger, Maxwell House and the Hills Brothers for promoting the sell of coffee. They were rewarded financially, but we were rewarded with a drink that brings people together in a quiet, communal way. Enjoy your coffee and those you share a cup with, it’s an important part of any day.

Waiting, Just Waiting

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 1 Comment

Waiting for Snow!

A sled without snow is useless. All it can do is sit and wait for the flurries to fly. It makes me think of Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and the Waiting Place where people just wait. Over the holidays I heard a lot about what people were waiting for in 2020.

Students are waiting to hear where they will be accepted for college, others waiting to hear about jobs, a few waiting for medical tests to be completed. All are waiting. The question is what do we do while we wait?

I admit I’m not very good at waiting. I choose not to be like the sled and just sit, so I’ve learned to redirect my energies if I can’t affect the wait time. There is always someone who needs help and there is always something that needs to be done. I love a new project that takes my mind off whatever I’m waiting to happen.

I don’t want to spend much time in Dr. Seuss’s Waiting Place. It isn’t a pleasant place and nothing gets accomplished. If you find yourself there, look around and see where you are needed. Giving of your time and talents will help you feel confident about what lies ahead. Also if it ever snows, get on a sled and enjoy the ride!

Food for Good Luck!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 1 Comment

Eating Black-Eyed Peas is a Southern Tradition

I have never eaten black-eyed peas. Every New Year’s Day I eat sauerkraut and pork. I grew up believing it brought good luck in the coming year. I decided to do a little research to find out why.

Pigs move forward in rooting for food and since we are moving into a new year, it seems appropriate. The German settlers ate sauerkraut with their pork and since many Germans settled in Ohio their traditions have continued. I also read that cabbage counts as a green leafy vegetable that brings fortune in the new year.

In the South, black-eyes peas reign as the New Year’s meal for good fortune. One story is that the only food Union soldiers didn’t take during the Civil War was black-eyed peas. They thought it was food for the animals. To have the peas spared was indeed good fortune!

Grapes are also considered a food to bring good fortune and in Spain they are eaten as the clock strikes midnight. In addition, eating a green leafy vegetable brings good luck along with cornbread because it is yellow like gold. I never knew I had these food options to bring me good luck!

I will continue my family tradition and have pork and sauerkraut cooked with apples. That along with mashed potatoes and gravy will be delicious. The diet begins January 2, so I plan on enjoying my New Year’s meal! Happy New Year, everyone!

Santa Claus!

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The Joy of Santa!

Clement Moore wrote The Night Before Christmas in 1822 to entertain his children. He had nine children! Moore was a religious man whose father was a minister, and he practiced his faith by teaching at the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church. I can’t imagine having to say all that when asked where I taught.

I wonder what Moore would think about the effect Santa has had on America. Being a religious man, would he be appalled that Santa reigns at Christmas and not Jesus? I think that he created a character that represents love and generosity. Jesus taught that loving others was the greatest gift. Santa loves all children and doesn’t discriminate. As an adult, I cherish the joy of Santa Claus and I hope Clement Moore would be proud of his Saint Nicholas.

Jesus is the reason Christians celebrate Christmas, but there are many people who aren’t Christians who demonstrate the love for others that Jesus talked about. They show love, kindness, and generosity and give credit to Santa. Santa embodies love, and I hope you all receive an extra dollop of love this year. Happy Christmas to all and to all a joyful new year!

Christmas Snow

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December Snow is Special!

Anytime it snows in December it becomes Christmas snow. I like snow, so it’s a good thing I live in Ohio. Snow has a magical quality in December. It seems to sparkle more in the sunlight and it becomes the background for all things Christmas.

I like to think it quiets the earth in preparation for the joy of Christmas and the love and kindness that is shared. So many give freely to help others and celebrate the season by being with loved ones. That truly makes the season special, being with loved ones.

It is a time of memories and reflection. As we get older we have more memories. I remember being in the Christmas pageant as a child and seeing my own children wearing angel wings and crowns. My grandchildren are now in a Christmas program. The years pass quickly, but what wonderful memories I have.

Christmas snow is special, but by the end of February I’m done with it. March snow is not a welcomed sight. I’m hoping for a little snow on Christmas, but I’ll be with my family and that is more important than snow!

A Cradle in Bethlehem

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 3 Comments

The Maple Grove Players Present!

Christmas in Pine Grove will be performed this Saturday night at Maple Grove Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00. The show ends with this scene which is what Christmas in all about.

We had a small audience last night during rehearsal, and I loved hearing how lucky I am to get to work with such talented people! It is true, and I am blessed. There were several comments about the nativity scene. My friend said she was so moved by the scene she couldn’t bring herself to applaud. Believe me, that’s okay! The scene is formed while the song A Cradle in Bethlehem is being sung. It’s on Nat King Cole’s Christmas CD. Google it! It is a wonderful song that many people aren’t familiar with.

After many weeks of rehearsal we are ready to share our God given talents. The show has lots of laughter and lots of music. I hope to see many of you there!

Christmas in Pine Grove

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / Leave a comment

Rudolph will be there!

This is my fourth year to write the Christmas show for Maple Grove Methodist Church. The show will be performed on Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. This year it’s a story about two angels who visit Pine Grove. They find that people do a lot of singing!

In the show, Rudolph has a bad case of fleas. Yes, I know deer don’t get fleas, but it works. His agent Saulie is frantic because he has scheduled many events for Rudolph. It’s a good thing there is an angel in town!

There are serious moments in the show and there is lots of laughter. Particularly from grumpy, old Ed who insists on cream in his coffee. That part is based on my need for cream. The show is very entertaining because the cast is so talented. All are welcome and tickets are only $5.00. I consider the show a gift to the community. I hope to see you there!

Beginnings of a Feast!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 3 Comments

So many calories, but sooo good!

The Consumer Report said the average Thanksgiving dinner has 3,000 to 4,500 calories. That didn’t include my cranberry salad which is loaded with sugar. That’s just sad! I read a reduced calorie Thanksgiving dinner menu that had 2000 calories and I thought why bother? I might as well go for the whole thing since it’s a holiday tradition.

I think it’s important to be considerate of the guests who contribute their homemade dishes to the meal. I wouldn’t want to hurt their feelings by not eating what they worked so hard to make. It is also important to sample the dishes I prepared so my guests know I think they’re worthy of being on the table. Besides, I favor my own cooking.

I’m curious what some of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes are. Does your family like green bean casserole? We haven’t had it for years because no one likes it. I love the dressing! It’s the only time of the year I have dressing which is kind of crazy since I like it so much. Please share your favorites, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Old Tin Canisters are filled with stories!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 2 Comments

Many uses and many memories!

My tin canisters are very useful. They are decorative in themselves and look great with dried flowers in them. I keep my chocolate chips in the Nestles one and brown sugar in another. They brighten my pantry with color and memories. I remember my mom had buttons in one, thread in one and coins in another. Obviously, tin canisters are great for organizing household items.

I didn’t realize that tin cans were being used in America as early as 1820. Being able to store food in tin cans made a tremendous impact on the food industry. Products could be sent a long distance safely and food lasted! Aluminum cans weren’t produced until 1965. This is an invention we appreciate still today. One can’t beat a can of tomato soup on a cold day!

Think of the stories that could be written about items found in a tin can. Keys are always a good item because they lead to something. Come to think of it, I think one of my aunts kept keys in a tin can. I’d love to hear your tin can stories! Please share!