Bena Mae’s Kitchen: What scares you?

I’m a hypocrite. I admit it. I watch programs on the Discovery channel about weird cultures and taboos and feel smug about my own superiority in not believing in spells, charms, voodoo or anything that can’t be seen, touched, or scientifically proven. Yet I am a slave to certain phobias. I will drive a block out of my way to keep a black cat from crossing my path.

Most of my phobias are every day garden variety types of phobias…fear of heights, spiders, closed places, walking under ladders, things like that. And I find that almost everybody has at least one or two hidden fears. One woman wrote that she had a phobia about UFO aliens hiding in her toilet. Now that conjures up a world of scenarios, most of them funny.  

I am reminded of one woman who, after years of watching her son repeatedly washing his hands, blurted out in exasperation “Why don’t you just shoot yourself.” He took her advice and shot himself in the head. However, he didn’t die. Seems he shot himself in the part of the brain that controlled his hand-washing urges and rid himself of the phobia forever.  (Note: Do not try this yourself!)

Some phobias can be really hilarious and strange. Did you know that many people are afraid of things like air, wind, God, Heaven, flowers and trees, things that are essential for living. Take Chionophobia, for example. Ever heard of it?  It is the fear of snow. This sets me to thinking that February must have been a dreadful month to those who share this phobia. 

This weekend will be trying for some phobics, seeing that we will be turning our clocks forward to Daylight Savings Time.  Those affected with Chronophobia (fear of time) and Chronomentrophobia (fear of clocks) will find it especially difficult. But since this only occurs twice a year, maybe they can endure.

Pity the poor person who may have Basophobia (fear of walking) AND Cathisophobia (fear of sitting). This makes for quite a quandry. Is this person committed to standing for the rest of his or her life?

One of the commonest fears is said to be Glossophobia (fear of public speaking).  This can be a paralyzing fear to someone who is afraid of speaking before a crowd.  One suggestion on how to conquer this fear may work…or not. It is suggested that the speaker fix his or her eyes on one person in the audience. Then while giving the speech,  picture that person with no clothes on. Or butt naked, as they say.  This should erase the person’s fear and help get rid of the stagefright, UNLESS……the speaker has Gymnophobia (fear of nudity). Can’t help you there, friend.

Kids will love these squares.

Cheerio Squares

3 tablespoons margarine 

6 cups miniature marshmallows (10.5 oz)

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter   

5 cups Cheerios toasted oat cereal

Grease a 13×9 pan.

Melt margarine.

Add marshmallows, toss to coat with the margarine.

You can do this on the stovetop or microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes or until smooth when stirred.

Stir in the peanut butter.

Immediately add the cereal.

Mix lightly until well coated.

Using a greased spatula or wax paper (I put plastic bags on my hands), press the mixture into the greased pan.

Cool and cut into squares.

Makes 32 squares.