I received an e-mail showing some war posters from the WWII era. I am a post war baby (1947)so I remember hearing about victory gardens, ration stamps, blackout curtains, military mail being censored. My mother worked in a defense factory and every relative who could not go to war because of health, age or gender did something to help the war effort. I forwarded the e-mail and I received a number of stories back from friends who had remembrances from that time and started to think about how today's children won't ever know about the personal stories of the people at that time. I am so grateful that I am old enough to have that perspective and have decided to save these stories for my grandchildren. I realize we live in a different culture now and our enemies are from a different culture. I also realize that war is very different now, but everyone can learn something from the people who stood strong and I am trying to collect as many personal, brief stories as I can get. The Greatest Generation was a tremendous book, but it told stories of people who are known or who have had some notoriety ie: congressional medal of honour winners. I am looking for personal recollections from average people holding together during a difficult and challenging time. Something more personal than the history books tell. I am going to post some of the stories I have received and hope some of you will share yours. Most gratefully, Agathamae

Here is a great recipe for a dish my aunt made for us as we were growing up. It is easy and low carb.

SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS

Quality olive oil to cook sausage in
6 (4 oz links) sweet Italian sausage
2 T butter
1 sweet onion - I prefer vidallia, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
1 t dried basil
1 t dried oregano
1/4 C white dry wine

Cut the sausage into bite sized pieces and place the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat and brown on all sides in olive oil. Remove from skillet.
Melt butter in the skillet and stir in the onion and garlic - cook two or three min.
Add bell peppers herbs and wine. Cook until peppers are tender.
Add sliced sausage pieces and cover. Cook until sausage is hot. Add a little more wine while simmering if liquid is needed.


"I was always taught to respect my elders and I've now reached the age when I don't have anybody to respect." George Burns (1896 - 1996)

I am listening to an unabridged audio book by George Pelecanos. THE TURNAROUND. Narrated by Dion Graham. I've never listened to a book read by Dion Graham but I'll look for another. He adds just enough inflection to add personality, not "over read". The location is the DC area and gives the flavor of DC.

The book sure makes sorting through the closets go faster.

"There is a healthful hardiness about real dignity that never dreads contact and communion with others, however humble." Washington Irving (1783 - 1859)

Quote "Mother Teresa"

"If God can handle eternity, surely I can handle today."

Christmas is over and while I am putting all the decorations away I am looking forward to 2009. I don't make New Year's resolutions because I never seem to really stick to them, but my goal for this year is to get the downsizing over and simplify my life at home. I have lived in transition for about seven or eight years and have moved three times during 2008 so I "NEED" to get order in my home. I hope some of you other sixty somethings out there stumble over this blog and throw out some ideas. If I were doing this for someone else I wouldn't have any problem, but the detritus of over 40 years of marriage and raising a family is so hard to get rid of. Not to mention the estates of "stuff" I inherited from an aunt and my mother. Emotional attachments make some of the most worthless stuff hard to get rid of. If you find this blog and have good ideas chime in. PLEASE, Agathamae