Bena Mae’s Kitchen: From the weather to memories of and old friend

There have been alarming reports about the extreme weather conditions happening across the country. In Texas, half the corn crop is dried up, lakes have disappeared, cattle ranchers are selling cows early because there is no grass to graze on, and 77 counties are designated as having exceptional or extreme drought conditions. In Oregon, pavements are cracking from the heat and historians say this drought is virtually unprecedented, and there is no relief in sight.  

All the while, here in pockets of Appalachia, the weather has been extremely mild for this time of year. Rain has been above average and farmers’ crops have risen to biblical proportions. Never can I remember a better summer for growing. It has been like the seven years of plenty that the Bible speaks about.

I have more than satisfied my hunger for good corn, tomatoes, green beans, okra, and other vegetables that have been so scarce in years past. We can only hope this cycle of good weather and growing decides to hang around for a spell.

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Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut:

My face is red and I have an apology to make. For months now, I have been sharing excerpts with you from an internet friend that I called by the wrong name. I called the friend Dan Archer when his name is CHARLIE Archer who many of you know from earlier days in Corbin. Charlie and I are connected through my cousin’s marriage to his sister. He now lives in Louisville and has such a storehouse of memories of growing up in Corbin that I have found both entertaining and remindful of my own past.  

Just recently, he passed on some information about a dear friend and neighbor that I had lost touch with. The friend’s name was Reba Smith and I remember her throughout our school years very vividly. I recall that she was always in demand to sing at special school functions. Her singing ambition began a career move that carried her to far away places that put her in contact with big names in the music business. She met Berry Gordy, head of Motown Records who put her under contract. She changed her name to Debbie Dean and was Motown’s first white female singer. Her first single “Answer” was released in February 1961 and was followed by "Don’t Let Him Shop Around." Later on she migrated to California where she attempted to further her career. 

I pulled both of Reba’s songs up on the internet and thought she sounded quite good.  Her bio stated that she died in 1991 in California and was buried in Corbin’s Pine Hill Cemetery.

Reba had a true gift for singing. I’m happy to have called her my friend. 

This is the best I’ve ever tasted! You may substitute 2- 10 oz packages broccoli instead of squash. 

Squash Casserole

4 1/2 cups sliced yellow squash (about 8-10 med sized)

1 chopped sweet onion (or 1 medium if not sweet)

1 can Cream of Celery Soup

1 beaten egg

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 heaping tbsp mayonnaise

salt and pepper to taste

Topping: Mix together

1 Sleeve finely crushed Ritz crackers

1 stick melted butter.

Boil squash and onion until tender. Drain and set aside.

Mix the next set of ingredients together and add to drained squash and onions

Place mixture into an 8×10 casserole dish and bake at 325-350 for 20 minutes until bubbly. Remove from oven and sprinkle cracker mixture over the top. Return dish to oven and bake for 15 minutes until brown.