“You are never wrong if you do the right thing.” —Mark Twain
Dear Readers,
The time has come, after writing this Plain Talk About Food column, to bring it to an end. I began writing under the direction of my editor at that time, Peter Burke. The year was September 2011, nearly 14 years ago. This decision has not been an easy one to make, as I have had so many wonderful emails from you and on one occasion, a delicious gingerbread, baked by a loyal reader from Felton.
A dear reader from Scotts Valley wrote that she has saved everyone of my columns, collected them in an album and gave it to her daughter as a gift for her bridal shower. A request came from her asking that I handwrite my favorite recipe on a card to be included. I did, and I was told her daughter, each month, cooks one of my recipes.
I have written in the columns, personal happenings from my earlier years while being left with my elderly aunt and uncle at the age of 4 years in the town of Aberdeen, Wash. And then a few years later, I was given to the Catholic Sister of Visitation Villa in Tacoma, Wash., to care for me until I reached the age of 18.
I have had so many responses from people who have lived in that small town of Aberdeen and how much they have enjoyed hearing about their hometown.
I have written about the joys as a child of picking salmon berries growing along the railroad tracks; of watching, cautiously, the hobos cooking their meals in the camps along those railroad tracks, just a short distance from my home.
I have written about life during World War II and food rationing during that time; how we believed in “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”
I have written about moving to Watsonville in 1953 and raising my family there and of the trials and tribulations of that time.
I have written about my second marriage to the unbelievable man I had been looking for all my life, my sweet hubby Norman. I have written about losing Norman and how I have learned to live without that love, yet needing to go forward on my own, successfully.
I believe, dear Readers, you will understand that today, I need more time to devote to Damians Ladder, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that I co-founded along with David Hodgin of Scotts Valley.
The mission of Damians Ladder is to make “at no cost” home repairs to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. We have, as of today, made repairs for 382 seniors, and 83 waiting for our help.
I will, however, continue cooking the Soup and Salad luncheon for the seniors at the Scotts Valley Senior Center each month. These seniors have a special place in my heart.
I am grateful to the Press Banner and its editor, Ryan Cronk, for giving me the opportunity to share my recipes and stories of my past.
I believe, as Mark Twain wrote—I am doing the right thing.
Hugs to each of you, dear Readers.
Colly Gruczelak, a Ben Lomond resident, loves people and loves to cook. Contact her at cz****@*****st.net.
