Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Mayberry is where we live

I have found this to be true in many of the small towns I’ve known. Good neighbors, quirky people, generous people, all a mixed bag that makes a small town so unique and makes you want to stay there. I’m constantly finding parallels to the real Mayberry in the small town in which I currently live. A case in point:
This morning I awoke to the drone of a lawnmower. Oh, it’s Steve, I thought remembering that my son had planned to mow my yard today. So I went ahead and fixed my breakfast, thinking he would come in for a cup of coffee when he got through.  When the sound of the mower stopped, I waited for him to ring the doorbell. After a few minutes went by, I looked out the front door and saw that his car was gone.  Thinking that was odd, I called his home and found out he hadn’t been here at all.  “He’s on the riding lawnmower mowing our yard,” my daughter-in-law told me. “He hasn’t been to your house yet.” But someone had been here and done a super neat job on my yard. Now flash back to a couple of months ago:
One of my neighbors, a young ex-marine with a lovely wife and 4-year old twin girls, is running for our county juvenile judge.  This particular evening, he stopped by and asked for my vote. He had a very good resume and appeared to be well qualified for the job. After a few minutes conversation, I wished him well and before he took his leave, he said “I see your yard needs mowing. I’ll run home and get my mower and mow it for you.” I protested, telling him my son would take care of it, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer.  
Three times after that, after hearing a lawnmower, I’d look out the door, and see that my neighbor had mowed my yard. No charge, just a good neighbor being a good neighbor. Now fast forward to one night this week.
Around 7 p.m., my doorbell rang and when I answered it, I recognized the young marine’s opponent, who is presently serving as interim judge, standing there. He was young, very personable, and also very well qualified. He and his wife are expecting their first child at the end of August, and as a proud father-to-be, showed me sonogram pictures of the baby they plan to name Audrey Clare. What a sales pitch, I thought, especially to a grandmother who adores babies.
We talked awhile and I found I liked him immediately. Having heard the story about his opponent mowing my yard, he jokingly said “I understand I owe you some yard mowing,” before going on his way. We laughed about it and I figured that was that.  I later found out that he was the phantom mower who was just making good on his promise on this sweltering hot day.
This leads me to believe that Mayberry is not just a fictional town.  It is real.  It is where we all live.

One of my favorite things about Boston Market are their delicious side dishes.  You can make these dill potatoes at home.

Copycat Boston Market Dill Potato Wedges

8 red potatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced fine
1/4 pound butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
2 tsp. dried dill weed

Wash potatoes well and boil until barely soft. Drain, and cut potatoes in wedges. Melt 1 stick of butter, in large frying pan and saute garlic for about one minute. Do not burn the garlic!
Add potatoes and the rest of the seasonings. Toss the potatoes in the butter until they are coated. Then serve.