Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Ever experience a fine-toothed comb?

“Friends, did you ever sit between your mother’s knees as she combed your hair with a fine-toothed comb?”
Thus begins the narrative from Allan Trout in his “Greetings From Old Kentucky, “a compilation of his articles that appeared daily in The Courier-Journal beginning in 1939. His dedication in the front of the book, “To the bass drummer who didn’t make very good music, but drowned out a lot of the bad,” set the mood for a humorous read throughout the rest of the book.
The subject was one that was never discussed in polite company in those days and is hardly ever heard of today;  “Parasitic insects that live in the hair and scalp of humans….lice.”  The horror of horrors that made a family seek government protection and move to an undisclosed location. It was the shame of all shames and was usually brought home by school children.
Allan goes on to say, “An air of secrecy always pervaded our humble home on days when mother held me between her knees and combed my hair with a fine-toothed comb.  She always took me either to the back porch or under the old hickory tree at the north end of the house. Both places were out of sight of some neighbors who might be abroad that day.
Four things I remember well. Before combing my hair, she always cautioned me not to mention it to anybody. She said that if I blabbed it, we might have to move away to a strange neighborhood. She said the shame might kill her if I talked. But she never told me why.”
This was a common occurrence back in the 1930’s. Every child of school age had to endure it and they are just in denial if they won’t admit it. Every conscientious mother put each of her offspring through the barbaric ritual at least once a month while they screamed, “Ouch! You’re hurting me!”
My mother had a grip like a vise when it was my turn to be ‘checked out.’ I had long curly hair that always had tangles in it that were impenetrable. And when that comb with its fine teeth was dragged through the tangles that wouldn’t let go, I would let out a yell that was heard as far away as South Corbin and beyond. But no amount of squirming and protesting would release me until the job was finished and I was pronounced free to go.
Allan closes his narrative with,  “My mother always finished this stern task with an air of unbounded happiness or of patient resignation to fate. When the job left her in a happy mood, she would hum little songs the rest of the day.”
And as I recall,  we never had to move.

Absolutely the most delicious, moist cake ever with a decadent topping. Very simple to make.

Pear or Apple Cake

CAKE
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
4 cups raw diced apples or 4 cups pears

TOPPING
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/4 lb butter

Cake:.
Mix all cake ingredients by hand in order given.
Pour in a greased 9 x 13 inch pan or springform pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes and remove.

Topping:.
In saucepan mix all ingredients and bring to a slow boil for 3 minutes.
Pour over cake and return to oven for 4 minutes.