Momma Said

By Teri Cayton

I do not like this time change. I am a morning person but I do not like it to be dark when I get up, which it becomes in winter. Momma Said, “I know, how can something still be there if it is lost? I lost an hour of sleep last night because this woke me up come Spring.”

I get depressed easily as I do not like the cold weather or the constant clouds. I am getting old because I do not like the cold weather for any kind of activity. It is funny because as a child and young adult I always looked forward to the first snow of the sea­son to be able to go outside to sled ride.

Last weekend, I got really angry when I started this time change and was con­fronted with the seasonal storms that blew into our area on Friday and Saturday. It was rainy, cool and very windy. I was affected by this latest storm. Momma Said, “This is not a fit night out for man or beast.” Which meant that no one was re­ally a good one to be around.

I spend some of my world these days on my couch with my laptop. The cold stays out and I go in and out as I am needed. That’s a good part of it. I had two phone calls this past week. I was doing my sad phone calls and did not answer the phone. Momma Said, “If it is not answered, it may call you back if it is important”. The second was answered by voice mail and as I was almost through till my calls were lost.

This has happened to me before. I got my message through. I am not the only one that this happens too. Momma Said, “Patience is a virtue, son”.

The lady on the other end of the line was a very nice lady and I think that she got the jest of my message. As I do not like to talk to people, I do not want to talk to them two times if I can help it. She called me back and said that she got my intentions were and finally I made a new acquaintance to the post office. We are all dealing with issues and things are coming due to they do not miss anything. They have seen more than I have in the past ten years as I have not gone out and missing times going to they are not delivered. Also, she had a message to me she said that a friend of mine tried to call me Saturday for three times but they were not getting to her but she said she left a voice mail. Momma Said, “Don’t ever miss a chance to tell someone that you care about them because you never know when you will get the call from someone wanting me to scan for a message.”

Momma Said, “Maybe I should not be so quick to judge.”

By the way, Janice from South Carolina sent me a voice mail that she had enjoyed the message. Have you seen the new movie that is coming out called Janice? I am not a scanner? Have a great week and keep warm and cozy.

Do you have some home remedies or some tricks that can help you overcome the winter blues? Please share your tips in the comments below, or send them to me. I would love to hear from you. Please stay good.

How to Make Staples for the Pantry

• Brown Sugar

  • 1 cup white sugar

  • 1 tablespoon molasses (for light) or 2 tablespoons (for dark)

  • Mix until well blended.

• Powdered Sugar

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • Combine in a food blender until powdered.

• Peanut Butter

  • 2 cups unsalted peanuts

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons honey or oil (optional)

  • Blend in food processor.

• Chocolate Syrup

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

  • 1 cup cocoa

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • Combine sugar and cocoa in saucepan over medium heat. Bring to boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

• Sour Cream

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • Pinch of salt (optional)

  • Place cream and salt in a whipped stage and place in refrigerator for 24 hours. If milky, strain water under cold water, return to fridge for another 12 hours.

• Vanilla Extract

  • 6 vanilla beans

  • 1 cup vodka

  • Split the beans and submerge in vodka in a sealed container. Keep in a dark place for at least 2 months, shaking weekly.