Bank of Holly Springs

Close to Nowhere

Buried cornbread

I can’t cook anymore. And I love to cook.

When Pop and I first married I could make tuna casserole and sandwiches. My mom didn’t like anyone in her kitchen while she was cooking, so as a kid, I learned nothing.

She was in the hospital a while when I was about 13-14 and brother Dennis was about 10-11.

We played hooky from school one day and I made a pie. Seems like it was good, but I don’t really remember because we were so scared we’d be caught.

After Pop and I married, his grandmother “Ma” and his mom Jimmie were great influences in the kitchen.

Ma eventually learned to watch me while peeling potatoes. She always said I’d peel the entire bag if they didn’t watch out.

The first time I made cornbread, Pop’s friend Eddie was over and I’d made tuna casserole and whatever else and cornbread. We had a hound dog that ate everything. The dog buried that cornbread and never went near it again.

I did improve my cooking skills over the years and now, I like my cooking. Or I used to. I like to cook and I like to feed people. Someone once told me I cooked like I was expecting a horde.

And actually, I usually was — my two brothers, my husband, my son, and other assorted various company. And I always sent leftovers home with the brothers.

Pop was always an enthusiastic eater. He’d eat pretty much anything (with a strong preference for veggies) and he’d eat leftovers. He enjoyed leftovers, especially in the middle of the night.

Now, mostly it’s just me and son Kris — who is encountering mild health concerns and changing his diet. Before, he was a meat and potatoes guy and pasta was also a favorite. He’s cutting out carbs now and I can’t cook for him anymore. Mostly because there’s nothing he will eat except salad and meat.

And I can’t cook for two people. Youngest grand­daughter Remy and her brand-new husband were at the house Saturday. She wanted potato soup and cornbread. I have enough potato soup now for the rest of the week. And I’ve been eating it since Saturday. I’m very tired of it, and because it’s potatoes, Kris won’t eat it and he doesn’t eat leftovers anyway.

I’m sick of meat. I want veggies. Kris doesn’t like veggies. One of us is going to have to starve! Me, I guess.

Holly Springs South Reporter

P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
PH: (662) 252-4261
FAX: (662) 252-3388
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