Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 55

National Leap Year Day

True… a person turning 100 years old today only got to officially celebrate 25 birthdays.  This is also National Frog Legs Day. But, of course! A couple of silly one-liners seem in order. Sooooo…. What do athletes wear on Leap Day? Jumpsuits, of course.  And what do you call a talking kangaroo? Unbe-Leap-able.

In seriousness, early Egyptians had a leap year in their calendar. Early Roman calendars had an entire leap month from time to time to keep in line with astronomy. Julius Caesar pushed for the Roman calendar to have 12 nearly even months and a leap day every 4 years.

Regardless, we all get one extra day this year. So, what shall we do with it? For me, this is a day welcoming a couple of dear friends coming for their first visit with us in the North Carolina mountains.

I’ll close with a cultural tidbit: One ancient Irish tradition allowed women to propose marriage on Leap Day. Allowed. Words like “allowed” feel so incredibly archaic in such a context. Yup. Such “allowances” and rules were definitely created by boys. (Men do not feel threatened by women.)

Encouragement Lives!

24 years ago today, I was on the eve of a Leap Year Day surgery. Following a diagnosis of Stage IV ovarian cancer, I was given 3 months to live. If I didn’t wake up from surgery in the hospice ward of Mass General, I had signed off to let the surgeon use my body for experimental treatments that might help save other women after I was gone.

God and my sturdy fleet of guardian angels were with me. The diagnosis was false. What I had was going to “take me out,” but it wasn’t cancer. The successful surgery gave me a renewed lease on life. Not everyone gets to wake up to such a positive result.

Whether or not we face critical life-and-death situations, sobering diagnoses, or any of Life’s other “foul balls,” we all have crosses to bear and challenges to face. I was blessed to have my parents with me, my sister Deborah literally at my side before and after surgery, and an amazing circle of supportive friends and colleagues. Life and experience have taught me that not everyone is as fortunate.

And yet, everyone needs someone, even if it is just some ONE, to be positive… to be with us, to believe, to assure us that we are not alone, and to encourage us with every possible prayer and loving thought. I hope that those in your life who uplift you know how precious they are to you.

The dozens… or perhaps even hundreds of stories I have heard over the years from people who did not feel the warmth, comfort, and strength from someone supportive became the impetus for me to write one of my books.  2019’s “Encouragement: How to Be and Find the Best” is all about unlocking positive, life-changing skills and learning to team up with people who are true encouragers and not discouragers. I have been deeply humbled by the outpouring of love and gratitude that continues to come my way from people who have read that book.

Whatever you may be going through, you can do it. As long as there is breath in your body, do not ever forget that.

“A person who tells you that you are not good enough knows that you are better than they are.”

— Cathy Burnham Martin
Author, voiceover artist, and dedicated foodie

Participate!

 

“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”

— Thomas Jefferson 1743 – 1826)
3rd president of the United States; diplomat, architect, and philosopher
(in his papers at the Library of Congress)

 

This is true for both primary and general elections. We humans like to complain… er, uh, express our opinions. However, if we fail to vote, we should also fail to criticize. Just saying…

Say ‘No’ to a Destiny of Self-destruction

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”

— Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
American statesman; 16th President: 1861-65; assassinated following Civil War

Chow-der Down!

Let’s celebrate National Clam Chowder Day with a simple discussion of the Great Chowder Debate. Some insist it must have a clear broth base; others want it creamy and thick. Some add tomatoes; some stick to onions and potatoes. Everyone is right. Chowder is perfectly adapted to anyone’s texture and taste preferences.

The word “chowder” comes from “chaudiere,” a French word for an iron soup kettle. Originally, New England clam chowder was made in such a kettle, and was a simple, clear broth chowder… just clams, onions, salt pork, potatoes, and pepper. Gradually, people started adding crumbled hard biscuits to thicken the broth. Then came additions that include milk or cream, celery, butter, bacon, corn, salt, paprika, parsley, thyme, and carrots.

 

Tomatoes, a staple in the Manhattan chowder, were late comers to the clam chowder party. After all, tomatoes were viewed as poisonous before the mid-1800s.

 

 

 

 

 

Serve it plain or garnished. Try au natural or topped with a flaky pastry. Clams in shell or out.

Go for clam chowder any way YOU like. Red, white, clear, or creamy.

 

Regardless, the big, hard-shelled Quahogs remain the preferred clam of choice. That said, steams have also won prizes for chowders in recent years.

If you have favorite tastes and concepts, today is no day to “clam up!” Share the yumminess with your friends and family. Chow down!

Perspective

 

“We don’t see things as they are.  We see them as we are.”

— Anais Nin (1914-1977)
French-born American novelist and dancer

Bloomin’ Attitude

“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.”

— Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr (1808 – 1890)
French critic & journalist

National Cook a Sweet Potato Day

I thought I’d serve up a dish that is often popular at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it’s a big hit at Easter, too. Funny, none of those holidays land in February. And yet, February 22 is National Cook a Sweet Potato Day.

Sweet Potato Souffle
I skip the pecans if someone is dining with us who can’t eat nuts. And it’s still Yummyland! Some folks call this dish Sweet Potato Pie or Souffle or Casserole. I call it, “Gone!”
6 lbs baked sweet potatoes
1 c butter, softened
1 c brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
1 large finely chopped sweet onion (microwaved 2 minutes)
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp grated orange peel (can use dried)
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt & ½ tsp pepper
½ tsp pure vanilla extract
2 lg eggs, beaten
½ c (approx.) half-and-half (or milk)
1 c coarsely chopped pecans
4 c mini marshmallows
2 c pecan halves (or pieces), for garnish

Peel and mash the potatoes; then mash in butter, sugar, onion, seasonings, and extract. Gradually stir in the cream, just to reach your desired consistency. Stir in the egg, followed by the chopped pecans. Divide between 2 well-buttered 11x7x2” baking pans. Use back of spoon to smooth the top. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 min. Remove from oven and distribute marshmallows over the top. Return to oven and bake 10 more minutes till marshmallows are golden. Remove from oven and sprinkle tops with pecan halves. Let stand at 5-10 minutes before serving.  Makes 20 servings.

KISS Tips: This can be easily divided in half for smaller amounts. Before baking it also freezes well or can be refrigerated. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Before baking, bring to room temperature. (Remember to not add the marshmallows till halfway through the baking time.) This is also yummy with raisins and/or cranberries (dried, fresh, or frozen).

Duh!

“If once you forfeit the confidence of your fellow-citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem.”

— Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
American statesman; 16th President of the United States, 1861-65; assassinated following Civil War

Speak Up!

 

“Be sincere; be brief; be seated.”

— Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882 – 1945)
32nd President of the United States