Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Uncharted water… again

As Yogi Berra would say, it’s deja vu all over again. I have a new computer. The fifth in a long line of computers since I began writing this column. And it’s presenting quite a challenge. Many changes, new things to learn with a brain that is on overload and semi-retired. Young people are programmed for this electronic age. Octogenarians…uh uh.
Moving on, I know you will be reading this after Valentines Day, but I’d like to share with you a nice story that belies the feeling that all is gloom and doom in this troubled world.
About an hour ago, my doorbell rang. When I opened it, I saw about six young people standing on my porch. I recognized them as being members of the youth choir from my church. They presented me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, followed by a medley of songs with a Valentine’s Day theme. What a lovely gesture I thought as I listened to their young voices.
These young people could have spent their day going about their own business but chose instead to brighten up someone else’s day. They make me proud. And hopeful for the future.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thing’s Ain’t What They The Used To Be
 I started reminiscing about how we celebrated Valentine’s Day long ago after the young people left this morning. And the song by Duke Ellington “Things Ain’t What They Used To Be” crossed my mind.
In grades 2 or 3, the excitement was hard to control in the classroom. The teacher would decorate a box with pretty colored paper and set it on her desk. It had a slot in the top in which each classmember would drop their valentines. Then anticipation would set in. The girls would spend the whole week worrying if their secret crush would respond to their romantic missives or ignore them altogether. The waiting was excruciating. Young love can be very painful.
In this age of email and electronics–and commercialism, the picture has changed. Some people have taken the romance out of the special day for lovers by emailing images of flower bouquets (photos of bouquets on paper) which will never replace the real thing. What is wrong with pen and paper and a sweet note? Or a florists’ delivery of beautiful roses?
The best valentine I ever got was a 5 cent card from Newberrys that said “Be My Valentine.” Signed by hand. I don’t remember who sent it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I FLUBBED BIG TIME
 When I wrote about saving the little Krystal diner on Main Street in Corbin, I didn’t know it had been torn down. But my sentiments toward it are the same. I would like to have seen it restored to its rightful place in Corbin’s history. I’m sad that it wasn’t.

This is a recipe I use for making little finger sandwiches, good for serving guests at a shower or taking to a potluck. I used to order it at the tea room at Stewart’s Department Store in Louisville.

Benedictine Sandwich Spread

 2 (6 oz. pkgs.) cream cheese
grated pulp of 1 medium-sized cucumber
1 small grated onion
salt to taste
mayonnaise
2 or 3 drops green food coloring
dash of Tabasco

Soften and mash the cream cheese with a fork. Work in the grated pulp from a peeled medium-sized cucumber, first extracting the juice by placing the pulp in a napkin and squeezing it fairly dry. Add the grated onion, Tabasco and salt and enough mayonnaise to make a smooth filling that is easily spread.. Last of all, add the green food coloring, just enough to give it a faint tinge. Keep refrigerated.