Goodness, Both Expected and by Surprise

I had the most surprising call yesterday. A call from a famous person no less! Really. Imagine my surprise when I answered my cell phone to hear the unmistakable voice of Niecy Nash, star of Style Network's Clean House, and her other zany show, Reno 911. I wrote about her in a blog post last week, and then I was talking to her! Go figger.



You see, while I was digging around at her website for a link to include in the post, I decided to email one of her peeps in hopes that Mz. Niecy would somehow get the message. I wanted her to know how much my mother has enjoyed watching Clean House, and that she always perked up and smiled when she heard or saw Mz. Niecy fussing some messy homeowner about his/her "foolishness and chaos" involving an abundance of clutter.




When I got an email back asking for my phone number, I just assumed one of Mz. Niecy's assistants wanted to Google me to make sure I wasn't some kind of crazed stalker. No...it was so I could get a personal call from the star diva herself! The sweet words she shared about keeping Mom in prayer were touching, but the fact that she took time from what must be a crazy busy schedule of filming two TV series and a movie...well, what can you say? She made my day. I even got a smile out of Mother when I told her Mz. Niecy had called all the way from Hollywood to tell her she hoped she was doing okay and that she was praying for her.


So, if you ever stop by and see this, Mz. Niecy, you are the real deal, the sweetest thing, a bomb of a diva, and it's nice to see fame and riches haven't destroyed the goodness of your soul! Thank You!

Now, what sort of "expected goodness" am I talking about today besides the "surprise" kind I received? Well, it's recipe day, and today I'm sharing my all time favorite. It's a family recipe we hold near and dear to our hearts, as it came from my grandmother (Mom's mom), Bigmama.

The directions for making Bigmama's biscuits originally appeared in our inspirational book pictured over in the sidebar, along with the story of how she'd tried valiantly for years to teach me to make the biscuits, but i never mastered her techniques.

I hope you enjoy it. If you have success with the recipe, I'd dearly love to know how you did it!

BIGMAMA'S BISCUITS

Use a medium large bowl that will become your biscuit bowl forever. Fill it ¾ full with sifted Gold Medal Self-Rising Flour. “Doodle out a ‘waller hole’ in the middle of your bowl,” as Bigmama used to say. Make this well by gently swishing your fist in the flour. It will hold the other ingredients.

Pour in ½ tablespoon of cooking oil. In a standard drinking glass, stir together ½ cup buttermilk and ½ cup water. Add to your well.

Work the mixture gently with your fingers, pulling in as little extra flour as possible. Try not to handle or knead the dough very much. Prepare your heavy iron skillet by pouring in a thin layer of oil. Roll the skillet around to spread the oil evenly. Pinch off biscuits and place into skillet. (Dusting your hands lightly with flour helps.)

When the pan is full and biscuits rest gently against one another, sprinkle on a small amount of oil to the raw biscuit tops. Put skillet into a cold oven, and set at 400 degrees. Put your pan in the middle of the rack so biscuits cook evenly. When they are light golden brown, move skillet to top rack until darker brown. If your oven is true to temperature, the whole process, including preparation time, will take about 25 minutes. The first few times, watch the biscuits' progress in the oven closely to be sure.

Butter immediately...or cover with gravy...or drown in maple or cane syrup. Any way you like your biscuit, you'll love these!

Writing Quiz

Okay, it's Monday, and that means it's time to ingest your java or favorite beverage, and fire up the brain cells for a little quiz.

Today's testing is all about what kind of writer you would make according to your answers to the five questions found here.

If you're a mom, I hope your day was as nice as mine yesterday. Thanks for all the well wishes on the Mother's Day post!

So...to what type of writing are you best suited?

Let's Hear it for the Moms!

Moms and mother role models, it's your special day. I hope those you love(d) and nurture(d) take a moment to appreciate you today.

You are~~~

a giver of laughter...












a sharer of life's wonders...
















an angel...













a superhero...

















Today I wish for you~~~


sweetness...














beauty...












...laughter and hugs....












but mostly, lots and lots of....













Happy Mother's Day!


*Images from photobucket.com

Again, You Might Be a Redneck

Yes folks, no matter your geographic location, you might just be a redneck if you've done or thought about doing any of the following...or even if you think it's a good idea and wish you'd come up with it first! [Thanks for forwarding, Marion.]

Behold.....Redneck Supremacy......

I. Ingenious Inventions (You Made Whut?):

A. "TP Hanger Thingy"

B. Rearview Defroster

...and while we're talking 'bout cars...

II. Vehicular Conversions (Pimp My Ride):

A. Compact Camper

B. Who Needs a Bike Trailer?

C. Sidecar Anyone?

III. X-treme Sports (Future Olympic Events?):

A. Cooler Racing

B. Discus Throwing

C. Ice Fishing

IV. Social Gatherings (What Not to Wear):

A. Ya-ya Wedding

And finally...

V. Yard Decor (Purty Adornments):

A. Couch Swing

B. Santa-sicles

Flowerspeak

Do the wondrous things of nature ever speak to you? I'm no Dr. Doolittle of the plant world, but I often find myself drawn to the beauty of certain flowers and plants. Then there are birds, which I sometimes think are angelic messengers. When that inner voice nudges, I try to be still and listen, and am hardly ever disappointed.

My dad is fond of cacti, and I've never seen this one bloom even though he's had it for quite a while. Its vibrant color and glorious flowering says to me...

From mediocre, even drab beginnings, something breathtaking can come.

(See the plain black plastic pot in which the cactus is planted?) And this "flowerspeak" reminds me of myself and the potential adult beauty of my teenagers.

Sometimes when you put unlikely things together, magic happens.

And this thought brings to mind my friends from real life and Blogland because although there are three different kinds of cacti planted in one pot, somehow it works. They must be good for one another.

Even when you feel broken or incomplete, you are still capable of bringing beauty to others.

*If you look carefully at the leg of the cactus where the bloom originates, you'll see that it is withered and must've been damaged at some point. It's amazing to me it was still able to shoot out its splendor into the world.

What does this Mother Nature's baby in my flowerbed say to you?

Cuppa Call

In case any of you have stories waiting to be written, revised or tweaked to send in to A Cup of Comfort, here's their recent call for submissions:

Share Your Story in Cup of Comfort

The Submit deadlines are fast approaching for A Cup of Comfort for Mothers and for the Silver Lining story contest sponsored by CupofComfort.com and REDBOOK magazine.

If you have an uplifting or inspiring story to share about your mom or about your experience as a mom, submit your 1,000- to 2,000-word personal story for publication consideration in A Cup of Comfort for Mothers by May 15, 2009. For complete details, please check out the Call for Submits.

For a chance at the $1,000 grand prize and publication of your story in both REDBOOK and on the Cup of Comfort website, submit your 1,000- to 2,000-word personal Silver Lining story by May 15, 2009. For contest rules and guidelines, click here.

We are also seeking 1,000- to 2,000-word narrative essays (creative nonfiction stories) for three other Cup of Comfort anthologies:
A Cup of Comfort for a Better World/deadline: June 15, 2009
A Cup of Comfort for Couples/deadline: October 1, 2009
A Cup of Comfort for Golfers/deadline: December 15, 2009

We look forward to reading your stories!
Submit Your Story Now!



*To submit online, you'll have to register and log in.

Cool Freebie on Wednesday Writings!

We talk about all things writing here at Gumbo Writer's place on Wednesdays, and today I've got a bonus for you, boys and girls. Fumbling around at Amazon.com the other day, I came upon a free download offer known as an Amazon Short. Ever the skeptic, I said to myself, "Self, is there really anything free these days?"

But owing to my ever-hopeful nature, I decided to check it out. And guess what? The offer really was free. The download focuses on a topic of interest to many of us writerly types -- querying. How exciting is that?

Hop on over to that humongous online bookstore via this link ---> Amazon.com Short and check it out for yourselves. You can download to your computer or have sent to your email inbox the short and sweet little nugget called How to Write a Great Query Letter by Noah Lukeman.

There are 12 customer reviews, and all gave 5-star ratings. Even if you think your query letter is perfect as is, you might find just one more way to spiff it up or a suggestion to help it float to the top of the slush pile. And, did I mention it's f.r.e.e?

As proof of the free-ness of the download, here's my confirmation email:

Details: Order #: D01-4320533-6949913

Subtotal of items: $ 0.00 ------

Total before tax: $ 0.00

Sales Tax: $ 0.00 ------

Total for this Order: $ 0.00

Lemme know how you enjoyed the short if you get it, and I'm hoping your writing projects are going great and not giving you extra headaches.

Now....go.....shoo........whatcha waiting on? :)

Tasty Tuesday - Cinco de My-O!

In honor of Cinco de Mayo today, here's a pair of healthy (you hear that, all you smart eaters?) soup & salad recipes with Mexican flair you might wanna serve up tonight. Serves 4 gringos. Ole'!

Chicken Lime Soup

2 Tbsp. olive oil
6 minced garlic cloves
3 skinless boneless chicken breasts (cut into 1/2-inch strips)
9 - 10 cups low sodium canned chicken broth
1 tsp oregano
1/3 cup fresh lime juice (or bottled)
1 1/2 cups crunched up tortilla chips (or, can toast/cut fresh tortillas)
2 ripe avocados, diced
3 tomatoes, chopped small
3 green onions, chopped pretty fine
Chopped fresh cilantro
Minced jalapenos (or your favorite peppers)
Lime wedges for garnish

In large heavy pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute garlic for about 30 seconds before adding chicken and oregano to pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste and saute for 3 or 4 minutes.

To the pot, add broth and lime juice. Bring to a slow simmer, then reduce heat to medium low. Cook for 8-9 minutes until chicken is cooked through, stirring gently a few times. Season soup to taste with more salt and pepper.

Divide crushed tortilla chips or strips into 4 large bowls, then spoon in soup. Top with avocados, tomatoes, green onions, cilantro and peppers. Garnish with lime slices and a few more chips/tortilla strips. Enjoy!

Sunny Taco Salad Supreme

4 Wheat tortillas
1/2 pound smoked chicken (or store-bought rotisserie, or even canned white) *Veggytarians can make this without meat!
2 Tbsp. Picante sauce or 1 tsp. Chili Sauce
1/4 Cup Lite Ranch, Italian or Caesar Dressing
1 Pink Grapefruit (peeled & sectioned)
1 Avocado diced
1/2 cup chopped ripe tomatoes
1/2 cup toasted almonds or pecans
1 Bag o' salad, or chopped lettuce

Preheat oven to 400. Spray tortillas (both sides) lightly with Pam or other cooking spray. Press tortillas into muffin tins, custard cups, or other circular-shaped cooking pans and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

While tortillas cool, combine chicken, dressing and cocktail sauce in a medium bowl. Cover and chill for about 15 minutes. Stir in grapefruit, avocado, tomatoes and nuts.

To serve, arrange salad greens in tortilla cups and spoon on your mixture. How simple is that?

Raining Cats & Dogs

Ugly thunderstorms are rolling through *Red Stick right now, setting off Fresh Prince's truck alarm and such. Since lightning is striking all around, I'm not staying on the computer long.

Hope your week's a great one, and your local weather stays friendly.

Until tomorrow, all good things to you and your loved ones!

*Red Stick = Baton Rouge

Of Olde Tomes and Cajuns

First, the cool contest concerning the antique book~~

Author lady, friend, mom o' eight, fairy princess Jenni James is hosting a blog contest over at her place. Now, y'all know how I love books, and olde ones in particular, right?

So you're gonna help me win it, oui? All ya have to do is pop over to Jenni's loverly blog HERE and leave a comment telling her Angie sent ya.

Best part? By commenting, you're entered in the contest too! Sooo...if receiving an antique tome in the post from dear Jenni from Jolly Ol' England appeals to you, then "git ta gittin'!"

BTW, the SpellChecking function detests me! LOL

Now, about the Cajun-ness of it all [Insert Niecy Nash's voice here. And if you don't know who she is, you should!], here are just a few of the wonderments produced by my home state:

TOP 10+ LOUISIANA "PRODUCTS"

ACCORDING TO GUMBO WRITER

(and in no particular order):

10. Our Spiciness! Tabasco & Tony Chachere's

9. New Orleans & Mardi Gras

8. King Cake

7. A Cultural Melting Pot

6. Community Coffee & Abita Beer

5. Crawfish

4. The Music (Jazz, Zydeco, Blues, Country, etc.)

3. Aaron Neville [*Yummeh!* Bring a drool bib and go take a listen. And, yeah, that's me several years ago when Mr. Neville was here doing a fundraising event for a boys' home.]

2. Turducken

1. Boudreaux's Butt Paste

*Dass riiight -- it's ALL about food/drink, friends and music here...well, and maybe a bahonkus or two!*

Sooo, what's YOUR state famous for (besides you)?

Saturday Critter Smiles

Thanks to friend Laura (aka Stompy) for forwarding this, and to Marilyn for the second one. Hope you get a few giggles like I did~~~

Yesterday I was at Wal-Mart buying 2 large bags of Purina dog chow for my dogs Dexter, Gypsy, Sky & Blade. I was about to check out when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

Since I had little else to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog. I was starting the Purina Diet again even though I shouldn't because I ended up in the hospital last time. On the bright side, though, I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of every hole in my body and IVs in both arms.

I told her it was essentially a perfect diet. The way it works is to load your pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry, and that the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was enthralled with my story by now.)

Horrified, she asked if the dog food had poisoned me. I told her no - I had stopped in the middle of the parking lot to lick my butt when the car hit me.

I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack, he was laughing so hard!

Wal-Mart won't let me shop there anymore.

~~~~~

And because swine flu fills the news...

As the two friends wandered through the woods on their way home, Piglet grinned to himself, thinking how lucky he was to have a best friend like Pooh...

...and Pooh thought to himself, "If the pig sneezes, he's freakin' dead!"

Meet Blogger Chris Rodell!

Hey, and happy Friday, blog friends. Today I'd like you to meet my new friend, Chris Rodell. (And don't let the title of his post fool ya. He's a man of many hats and incarnations!) His "About Me" profile reads, "I'm a Latrobe, Pa., based freelance writer who's been published by many of the greatest publications in America and been rejected by the rest. I'll work for anybody who'll pay me."

I forget just how I came across his interesting and witty blog. Maybe thru Kimmi? Yes, dear readers, the mind is a terrible thing...

When you have time, cruise by EightDaysToAmish and enjoy his fresh perspectives. Chris is another writer type, and his dry humor is some of my favorite among the blogs I read regularly. And that's saying a lot. From his attempted "suicide" by Elvis Diet to ogling tatas in a cigar store, the material covered in the daily life that is Chris' always makes me smile...even when we don't necessarily share the same political leanings. *grin*

I do have a question for you, Chris. How'd you come by that blog name? 'Splain, please.

Today's guest blog is taken from one of his first posts last May. Chris says, "I think it had a readership of my mother and four guys from Latrobe." After reading it, I understood instantly why his email address contains the words story and teller.

Rev. Chris Rodell "The Rabbi Is In"

The Sierra Club refers to me with the honorific “Judge Chris Rodell.” The noble lifesavers at Doctors Without Borders address me with collegial charity as “Dr. Rodell.” And it would take a miracle of Biblical proportions for me to respond with the generosity deserving of all the Democratic National Party affiliates who write beseeching “The Reverend Rodell” for a contribution.

If you took all the mailing lists for every left-leaning, tree-hugging, bound to help-the-helpless organizations in the world and rolled them into one, the sum distillation would be one of the most accomplished men in the world. And that would be me. After a lifetime of willful indolence, finally, a man Mom can be proud of.

See, being Mr. Chris Rodell hasn’t exactly worked out for me. No one treats me with anything more than the most perfunctory courtesies.

That’s why I hesitated in 2004 when a donation to the Democratic party required me to check a title. “Dr.” felt like a reach. “Mrs.” would have worked with the wussy unisex name my parents freighted me with at birth, but I wasn’t ready for the possible lifestyle change it might invite and I would have needed a whole new wardrobe.

So I stared at the heavenly option, “Rev.” Remember, 2004 was when Karl Rove and the Republicans frequently claimed they’d been anointed by the Almighty to divinely solve all the world’s problems. I decided to do my part to close the God gap. For my title, I checked “Rev.”

Right away, the new title led to more telephonic respect. One agent for the party called and said, “Reverend Rodell? I’m sooo sorry to bother you, but we really need the help of upstanding community men like you if we’re going to win in November. Can we count on your support and influence?”

By all means. I dashed off a check for $50 and the 2006 congressional elections wound up being an electoral landslide, coincidentally, perhaps. Soon, my name began to sift through the other left-leaning mailing lists. I could sense in their tones that the callers' postures improved when they dialed a holy man like myself.

I liked it!

Of course, there was the inevitable misstep. During last spring's Pennsylvania primary, I was besieged by calls from party activists. I lost my patience and reverted back to my Mr. Rodell temper.

“Look,” I told one caller, “I’m gettin’ sick of all these (and I’m paraphrasing here) gol-danged calls. Leave me alone.”

The solicitor let the silence sink in for two beats before saying, “Rev. Rodell?”

“Uh, yes?”

“You should be nicer. People expect more from someone like you.”

He was right. People look up to those involved in pastoral professions, and as I’m finding out, even to ones who pretend to be. If I’m going to be Rev. Rodell, there are certain standards I need to uphold.

So I vowed to make myself a better person, at least in terms of titles. Besides “Judge,” “Dr.,” “Father,” and “Esq,” I was pleased to feel an ecumenical surge of pride when UNICEF bestowed upon me, for $100, the title of “Rabbi.”

I doubt the unfortunates in Myanmar or China will care whether or not Rabbi Rodell is concerned about their plight, but it might open some eyes if, say, he extends a financial olive branch to help aid Palestinian orphans.

Either way, it’s likely I’ll one day leave a remarkable obituary for my survivors to admire. And maybe one day I’ll live up to the reputation of the guy all those money-seeking callers believe me to be.

It’s something you might want to consider next time someone seeks a contribution from you.

Of course, that’s just my opinion. You can take it or leave it. After all, despite what you might infer from my credentials, I’m really not a preachy kind of guy.

That was great, Chris! Thanks for sharing with these fine readers. Now, y'all feel free to ask questions or make comments. Then git yore bahonkuses over to Chris' place and nose around a bit.