Bena Mae’s Kitchen: My theory of when the world will end

Many cults, religious groups, scientists and people who have a lot of time on their hands and nothing else to do think they know when the world will end. I stated my own theory earlier that it will end when the sun burns out. But lately I’ve been thinking that I may have been wrong. I am now convinced that when all the orange cones that appear at highway intersections are no more, it’s time to pack up and leave.
William Randolph Hearst, one time newspaper baron and politician never finished his castle, St. Simeons — worthy of all the castles he saw in Europe — and I’m not sure it’s finished today. It has become a large tourist attraction and hosts thousands, maybe millions of tourists each year. It is here he entertained the elite of Hollywood, politics, and sports. The construction of the estate went on for 28 years because Hearst believed that when it was completely finished, he would die. He died on August 14, 1951, so I guess they can finish it now.
My point is this:
I’m the type of person who likes everything to run smoothly at my house, the fridge, the washer and dryer, the microwave, the plumbing, all the comforts that keep me happy and in a good mood. But I’ve found if one thing breaks down, another one will follow and another one after that. Murphy’s Law I guess.
Two weeks ago, my long lasting and dependable washing machine quit on me. It wouldn’t spin the water out from a large load of clothes. So my grandson and I had to wring them by hand and put them dripping into the dryer — It took two days to get them dry. The water had to sit there for a week turning to sludge and smelling to high heaven until a new one was delivered.
 But my sigh of relief didn’t last long. Then the garbage disposal got clogged up, emitting more bad odors until I could get a repairman in. My house was beginning to smell like a landfill. I tried all kinds of spicy smelling sprays, even boiling spices on the stove, but nothing would cut the foul acrid smell. I was beginning to think more kindly of assisted living which I vowed to avoid as long as I have a voice in the matter.
Two down, now what’s next, I thought — you know the old saying, “trouble always comes in threes.” Well, I didn’t have to wait long. The security light on my garage in my back yard burned out. Now I’m not a scaredy cat, but I do like to take precautions. And my backyard is pitch black when the sun goes down. Therefore, the security light gives me a sense of, well, security. Makes me sleep better.
The man came and fixed it today. The same man who repaired my garbage disposal and fixed the leak in my bathtub. When he got through, I offered him the deed to my house. He said, “Lady I don’t want it.”
Everything seems to be ship-shape at the moment. But I know it won’t last. But if it ever does, the stars will fall out of their orbit, the rivers will run backward, and the Kardashians will be a distant memory. And that, my friend, will be the end of time.

Honey Bun Cake

1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
for Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
5-6 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Blend brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside. Stir together cake mix, sour cream, eggs and oil. I just whisked it all together, lumps are fine. Spoon half of your batter into a greased or sprayed 9 x 13 pan (or something close) Spread to the edges. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over top, it’ll seem like a lot but use it all.
Spoon remaining batter over top, try to cover top evenly but don’t try to spread it. Using a knife, swirl batter, just run the knife in a zig-zag. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
While cake is baking, mix up your glaze. Combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth. Once cake is done, remove from oven and drizzle glaze over top.
Let set for five long minutes before cutting and serving.