Bena Mae’s Kitchen: I wish I hadn’t said that

A person who believes ‘silence is golden’ really knows when to keep quiet.

Many of us have found ourselves with our foot in our mouth after making a statement we could not call back. But once it’s out there, we can only wish the floor would open up and swallow us. It happens to everyone.  

Only recently I found myself in such a situation. I was shopping at the supermarket when I ran into a lady I hadn’t seen in a long time– we were coworkers before we retired. We chatted for the next few minutes, bringing each other up to date on our lives since our working years.  Before breaking away, I asked, “by the way, how is your husband getting along these days?”

She paused a moment and then said, “my husband has been dead three years.”

This is the ultimate in embarrassment because in a small town one should know these things. But miss one day of reading the obituaries and it will happen. And no one had mentioned it to me.  I had missed his passing altogether and needless too say, I was shocked.

I apologized profusely but nothing I could say would undo the damage. I worried about it all the way home and then I worried about it all through the night. I know this happens to people all the time, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

Let me preface another faux pas I made by saying this. When you live in a small place, chances are every third person you talk to will be kin to someone you know.  So, a fair warning would be to pay attention to surnames. If the  last name is a common one, the person will probably have at least 45 relatives in the community.  I found this out to my regret.

It happened at an estate sale.  My friend and I were looking at an antique table that looked promising. Wanting to know more about it, I called the owner over to give me its history and other pertinent facts. After she finished, she mentioned another woman who had shown an interest in it.  When she told me the person’s name, I blurted out, “Don’t let her have it. She’ll steal you blind.” At that moment my friend jabbed me hard with her elbow. “The lady she’s talking about is her cousin,” she whispered to me.

What could I do? It was already out there and I couldn’t take it back. Thinking fast, I managed to make a joke out of what I had said.  And proceeded to kick myself all the way home.

There are three things you can do when you make a blunder like this.

1. Faint.

2. Grab your heart and say, “I forgot to take my meds!”

3. Move out of state.

Words may be silver but ‘silence is golden.

Healthy one-dish meal from Taste of Home.

Veggies Mac and Cheese

1-1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni

3 cups fresh broccoli florets

2 cups fresh cauliflowerets

3 large carrots, halved and thinly sliced

2 celery ribs, sliced

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 cup chicken broth

3 cups (12 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon paprika

Cook macaroni according to package directions, adding the broccoli, cauliflowerets, carrots and celery during the last 6 minutes. Drain; transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.

Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, saute onion in butter until tender.

Sprinkle with flour; stir until blended. Gradually stir in milk and broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the cheese, mustard, salt and pepper. Pour over macaroni mixture; stir to coat. Sprinkle with paprika.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until heated