Published: May 11, 2008 01:02 am            

Big Blue and popcorn balls

A little potpourri for Mother’s Day

Today’s column will have a variety of topics. The problem is where to begin.

Common sense says I should start off my writing about “Big Blue” being put into action this week. Yes, the blue trash cart pilot program has begun.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as I saw blue trash carts placed semi-properly near the streets. The problem? There were other full trash cans placed nearer than three feet. If people would have attended the information meeting or read their instructions they would have known that was a big no-no. Plus, the robot arm is only going to pick up the approved trash cart not random trash cans placed alongside the roadway. Also a big no-no is to have trash piled up so high in the cart that the lid won’t shut. My immediate neighbors and I followed the rules, and we didn’t experience any problems.

Today is Mother’s Day, and if you are blessed to still have your mother with you, please take time to let her know how much you love her.

I’m reminded of a situation a couple of years ago at church. The youth presented all the mothers (we had to stand) with a flower. I felt the urge to give my flower away to a woman sitting near me, but before I could give her my flower, someone else gave their flower to her. The person who I wanted to give my flower to is a teacher, who never had any children of her own, yet she has mothered countless numbers of children through the years. There’s more to being a mother than just giving birth. She has been their confidante, their mentor, their encourager, their disciplinarian. Doesn’t that sound like motherhood? I’m so glad someone else felt the same as I did and honored this woman on Mother’s Day.

An honor that has seemed very appropriate, especially since March when Cpl. William O’Brien of Rice lost his life in Iraq, is to acknowledge our service men and women who have served in other wars such as the one our military is involved in currently. The Navarro County War Memorial is planning to add to the memorial which is on the courthouse lawn. The addition will be a monument for veterans who have served during the “Global War on Terrorism,” and donations are being accepted for this project. If you would like to donate, make checks to: Navarro County War Memorial, in care of the Navarro County Auditor’s Office, 300 W. Third Ave., Corsicana, TX 75110.

But honoring folks doesn’t stop there. You have another perfect opportunity to honor someone this weekend at the Navarro County Relay for Life which will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and continue through 7 a.m. Saturday at Community Park (by the YMCA). I honestly don’t know anyone who hasn’t been affected by cancer in some way — either themselves, a loved one, friend, coworker, or acquaintance.

If you have never experienced Relay for Life, I urge you to come be a part of this celebration. Yes, it is a celebration. It is a celebration of life for those who are currently fighting cancer. It is for those who have fought cancer and won. And it is also a celebration in remembrance of those who have passed on because they aren’t suffering anymore from the dreaded disease.

Come be a part of the celebration. Walk a lap in honor of or in memory of someone, buy a luminary or buy something to eat and drink since funds raised will go to the American Cancer Society. While you’re there, stick around and enjoy the entertainment throughout the night. You are welcome to stay for a few minutes or all night!

Since a lot of the food that night will be of the concession-stand variety and the atmosphere will have almost a carnival-type feel, I thought the following recipes would be appropriate for today. Enjoy ... and honor someone this week.

Popcorn Balls

3 quarts popped corn

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup white syrup

1/4 cup butter

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon vanilla

Keep popped corn warm in 300 degree oven. Boil water, sugar, syrup and salt until brittle (should form a ball in cold water). Add butter. Pour over corn. Make into balls. Coat hands with soft butter to keep them from sticking to popcorn.

Candied Apples

12 small apples

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup white syrup

1 teaspoon vinegar

red food coloring

Wash apples and dry. Then put sticks in the apples. Boil sugar, water and syrup until it forms a soft ball. Then add vinegar and coloring. Continue cooking until it forms a very hard ball when dropped in cold water. (Reheat if syrup gets too cold.) Dip apples rapidly in syrup then place on a well-greased pan.

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Camille McClanahan may be contacted via e-mail at camille@corsicanadailysun.com.

        

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