Bena Mae’s Kitchen: 22 years and counting

Every August I am reminded of the anniversary of the first column I wrote for the News Journal.
Looking back and reading my early entries into the world of newspaper writing, I am surprised that I lasted even a month. But brother Don rushed in where angels feared to tread and took a chance on me. And I thank him for that. In time, I wore out 4 computers, increased my vocabulary of cuss words (computer glitches and writer’s block) and made hundreds of friends over a vast area. Every time I had a thought of giving it all up, I held off because of those friendships I had made. I would miss them. To paraphrase the words of Humphrey Bogart speaking to Claude Raines in the movie Casablanca, “it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.’’
And the rewards were worth it. In my lowest moments, I still felt connected to my readers. Your loyalty lifted me up on days when I felt I had nothing left to give. It took me out of the isolation that illness imposes and made me focus on things other than my own misery. That, in itself, is a saving grace, because in thinking about what may interest others, you get outside of the bubble of depression and disconnect that illness can bring.
So thank you, dear reader for 22 years of friendship and support that have kept me writing and praying for a stream of consciousness each week.

My take on churches today

 Don and I talk about the change in worship services since the days when we grew up in Central Baptist Church in Corbin.
I love the old church where I have so many happy memories and I still hold to the old ways, especially the hymns we sang which we sang by heart. We didn’t need a hymn book because the songs were all so familiar, the Old Rugged Cross, In the Garden, Abide With Me. I love remembering those days when the services were more worshipful and reverent, at least compared to what I see in some religious services today. I don’t want to feel as if I’m at a rock concert when I’m worshiping the Almighty.
Several years ago I moved my membership from one of the largest churches in town because I was beginning to feel like a number. The church I moved to was much smaller, almost like family, with a sense of togetherness and caring, and a personal atmosphere. And they still sang the old hymns. They took me in and I immediately felt at home. In the ensuing years when I became homebound, they were a Godsend — I’ve told you of their many acts of kindness toward me.
Lately, I have been hit with an onslaught of household problems which I couldn’t fix. My church has a department in which a number of retired men make themselves available to the sick and elderly who live alone. They fix minor things around the house that a repairman would charge large sums for plus consultation fees to even walk in the door. So I called the church and in a few days, they sent one of the retirees to fix my problems. He was most adept at plumbing and electrical work and spent two whole days taking care of anything and everything that needed repairing. When I asked him what the cost was, he said there was no cost. “There are so many older people who live alone and need this service, that we have a special fund to take care of the costs. I will be sending a donation to the fund so that it will keep going.
This is what I think is real Christian outreach, which I think all churches should adopt.
P..S. I couldn’t close this article without thanking you for rewarding me of 22 years of your loyalty and support. Lets stay connected.

Zucchini Cheese Casserole

2 cups shredded zucchini
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup shredded mexican cheese mix
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp sea salt
1 cup GF pancake mix (such as Pamela’s GF Pancake and Baking Mix)
1/3 cup egg white
4 whole eggs
2 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat oven 350F.
Oil a medium size round oven proof dish.
In a small bowl combine the eggs, egg whites, olive oil, salt and basil.
In a larger bowl combine the zucchini, onion, cheese and pancake mix.
Mix the egg mixture into the zucchini mixture. Mix well and transfer to pre-oiled dish.
Bake for 50 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.