Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Finding the America we love

The news has been bad this week.  Senseless killings of innocent people. Copycat murders.

Trying to get our heads around it makes it difficult for any rational thinking person. What is happening to our country, we ask ourselves with each new terrible headline.

I have taken refuge in watching old movies, mostly in black and white with a beginning, a middle and an end. Thank you Ted Turner for Turner Classic Movies. They do not erase the problems but they do put a band aid on them for a little while. Time enough for a reality check later.

This morning I was thinking about the pall our nation has been under for the past few days when I heard a commotion on the street outside my house. When I opened the door to see what it was all about, I saw that it was a parade. A Veterans’ Day parade with old vintage cars, cars with American flags flying, cars with political signs of people running in December’s local election. Children and their parents riding in convertibles with the top down, happily waving to those on the street. 

It was that kind of day, not too cool, bright sunshine, folks taking in the last few days of good weather before winter’s cold forced them inside. It was the reality check I needed.

I stuck my head out the door and waved at a young candidate for mayor, a fine young man who serves as an usher in my church. I have seen him grow up and mature into an upstanding young man who really cares about doing good things for our community. I will be proud to vote for him. Proud, a word not usually associated with our political machinery as we know it today. But our government has always been a work in progress. They’re still trying to get it right.

Watching the parade lifted my spirits. It was the old America I knew. It was still there. All I  needed to do was peel away a few layers and I found it. And for that I give credit to the veterans of all wars who served so valiantly in preserving our freedoms which allowed a day like this to happen. Thank you for your service.

America, America, God shed His grace on thee….

This is a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving menu.

Sweet Potato Souffle

4 cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

TOPPING:

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup chopped pecans

2/3 cup flaked coconut

2 tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, sugar, butter, milk, vanilla and salt; beat until smooth. Spoon into a greased 2-1/2-qt. baking dish. Combine the topping ingredients; sprinkle over potato mixture.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until heated through and topping is browned.