… So wherever I am, there’s always Pooh,
There’s always Pooh and Me.
“What would I do?” I said to Pooh,
“If it wasn’t for you,” and Pooh said: “True,
It isn’t much fun for One, but Two,
Can stick together, says Pooh, says he.
“That’s how it is,” says Pooh.
—“Us Two” by poet A.A. Milne
There’s something about September — perhaps it’s the softened golden light at Eventide; perhaps it is the way you can feel a slight chill in the mornings. Perhaps it’s our streets, now quiet as children have returned to their routine of school. Whatever it is, I feel the change and resolve to accept my maple tree letting go of its red and gold-colored leaves, forming a protective carpet over my garden from winter’s wrath.
When I turn my calendar to September, the month of my beloved husband Norm’s birthday, I cannot hold back my tears, even though he left me so many years ago. I also remember that September was when the YaYa Queens reunited after their summer vacations, simply to spend Thursday afternoons together laughing, sharing stories, playing cards, enjoying a wonderful lunch, and washing it down with Prosecco. Those afternoons were joyful, and they meant so much to me.
We “YaYas” chose this name from the song of Beyonce, which means strength and resilience; we were five San Lorenzo Valley women, united in our belief of family, honesty and giving of our time to help make the lives of those less fortunate, better. And we all donated countless hours of our time to Ben Lomond’s Valley Churches United.
Each time one of the YaYas faced adversity, the rest banded together bringing help and comfort, and most important, love. After all, we had taken the “Pinkie Oath” to love and remain friends forever.
The YaYas were there when Jan’s husband passed and when the “grim reaper” took my hubby away — the YaYas were there providing stability and love. Then came the CZU fire, which took Jan Nelson’s Bonny Doon home, and as always, the YaYas were there, providing a temporary home with me until another could be found.
When Linnaea Donlin’s first grandchild was born, we YaYas celebrated and looked at countless baby photos as Olivia took her first steps and lost her first tooth. Linnaea has given me the support I needed during the most heart-wrenching decisions I have had to make.
YaYa’s Susan Kamprath has been there for all of us, sharing her love and support as well. Susan and Ken met at Valley Churches years ago while donating their time and talents to those in need.
Lives are likened to nature’s seasons, always changing with time, and the YaYas are no different.
Nancy Lambing was the first to leave our group, returning to the East Coast where she and her husband Ed had deep roots — their small child is buried there. Oh, how we miss Nancy.
Linnaea and her husband have moved from our valley to Scotts Valley. Nearby, Linnaea can still be seen supporting and being the force, along with Jeannie Sikes, setting up the spring and fall Boutique, which brings in money for Valley Churches United.
Jan is now living in Boulder Creek and still writing her gardening column for the Press Banner, and Susan and I are still here in our homes.
The YaYas today, even though we have miles between us, see each other once a year. We are still full of love for each other. Isn’t it said that “distance makes the heart grow fonder”?
Marcel Proust wrote: “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
The YaYas loved this pot roast recipe.
Pot Roast from the 1940s
(Serves 8-10)
Preheat oven to 325 deg.
• 3-4 lb. Chuck Roast
• 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• One 13 oz. can diced tomatoes
• 3 stalks of diced celery
• 2 diced carrots
• 2 cups diced onions
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tsp. Tabasco sauce
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
In an ovenproof pot, lightly sear on both sides of the roast. Remove from pot, cover and set aside.
In meat drippings sauté vegetables for 2-3 minutes and then add tomatoes, spices and Tabasco. Bring to a high simmer and add wine. Simmer for an additional two to three minutes.
Add roast to pan, cover and roast 2-1/2 hrs.
When the roast is done, I add potatoes, carrots, celery and small whole boiling onions to pot. Turn up the oven to 350 degrees and roast until veggies are fork-tender.
Colly Gruczelak, a Ben Lomond resident, loves people and loves to cook. Contact her at cz****@*****st.net.
