RITA'S UNEXPECTED MEALS FOR HER UNEXPECTED GUESTS

My mom was a great cook. She had to quit school and never really learned to read. One day I asked her how she knew so many recipes. She told me that her dad worked on the railroad and the family traveled a lot when she was young. Since she was the oldest daughter and her mother was busy with all her little siblings, she was to assist the cooks at the different locations stayed at. Therefore she learned to cook meals from cooks all over the country.

Anyway, she was always cooking and no one could stop in without her preparing one of her great meals.

When I was a kid, it was a habit for folks to just stop by to visit, especially family and Ma would jump up and start cooking right away. Now, if she knew you were coming, she would plan and prepare a meal, like fried chicken, mash potatoes, salads and desserts of course, but if she did not know that you were coming it would not stop her from preparing a meal.

Her good old stand-by was Hamburger Gravy, Fried Potatoes and Onions, canned beans, vegetables and fruits, biscuits or tortillas. All on the table in less than 1 hour and she still managed to visit with her guests while cooking.

Even long after her death people would talk about my mom's unexpected meals and how fast she could prepare them. "Boy, your mom could cook. No matter when you stopped in, she would throw together a 7 course meal." And everyone loved her Unexpected Meal of Hamburger Gravy and Fried Potatoes.!

SHE TURNED 90 TODAY

She turned 90 today. Today she would not sit alone in her room missing her home, her love and those who have passed on. No, today she would be surrounded by family and friends who would come to celebrate her birthday.
Today, babies would sit in her lap and look up at her as if they knew and smiled. Little girls would sit and listen to her tell them stories. Her children would gather around her to insure she was enjoying herself. Grandchildren kneeling down next to her so that she could wrap her arms around them. Many of her old and new friends shared stories and kisses with her.
She sat in her wheelchair waiting and greeting all who came to visit. She recognized her brother slowly walking up to greet her and her smile broadened. He took her hand and for a brief moment, their eyes locked and they were transported back in time to a time when they were young and surrounded by all their siblings and their parents. Those were fun times with an exciting future in store for all of them. But it only lasted a moment and only I could see it.
This birthday would not have exciting times in store for her future. No, not yet anyway.