Mother's Prize

“Mother’s Prize”

Chuck Martin

Last week I was cleaning up, getting rid of “stuff”. You know the things we collect and want to hang on to because we thought it might have a use later. Magazines with stories of world events, trinkets a friend gave you, awards, those type things you put away and forget.

Pulling items out, I inspected them. I had two piles, to keep; to get rid of. In a box on the highest shelf I discovered a piece of wood about six inches by five inches. It was pine and had been stained a light brown. The top was clumsily cut in the shape of roof tops. On one side the word “MOTHER” was scrolled. The letters haphazardly drawn with a wood burning tool. On the other side “MOTHER” was spelled out and this time in a straight line. In the left hand corner a heart was etched. A chip had been filled with wood putty that was to light for the wood. A hole had been drilled in the top center for hanging purposes.

I remember making this board in 7th grade woodworking class. We had a choice for our first projects. A cutting board; food tray, or a picture frame. I chose cutting board because it looked like the easiest to do. Originally it was to be 12X 6 inches, but I cut it off square. I had to do it over and this time I clipped off one end at an angle. I cut it over.
It now had an angle of different size on both ends. What to do? I decided to cut it at the top and make it look like part of the design. I cut here and there. It looked like the eves of roofs, so I left it that way.

I decided to give it to my mother as a prize. I used a wood burning set and burned “MOTHER” into the wood. It was terribly written, so I turned the board over. This time I used a ruler and took more time. Then I etched the heart. I discovered I had made a gouge in the wood with the tool. I filled it with wood putty, let it dry and put a finish on my project. I remember getting a “C” minus from the teacher, which I thought was unfair as the design was pretty original. It was too small for a loaf of bread, but you could cut up a sandwich. I gave it to my mother and it hung in the kitchen for awhile.

My mother passed away in 1988 and my two sisters and I went through my mothers things to decide what each would like to keep. We took our pick of letters and pictures. We came upon the cutting board and I said I’d like to have it and put it into a box with other collected bits and pieces. I didn’t think too much about it as it was a stressful time. At home I put away the things I had gathered from my mothers earthly possessions.

Now twenty years later I discover it again. I looked at this attempt I had made a long time ago to make something for my mother. It wasn’t much and really was worthless for its intended use. I was unaware of it’s value until now. It had great meaning to my mother as she had kept it for over thirty years. I imagine every once in awhile, on a rainy day, to cheer herself, she would pull this out and smile. Her boy had made it just for her.

Crackers

“Crackers”

Chuck Martin

We of the Midwest believe crackers are for soup. I don’t mean those sissy ones made of hi-gluten wheat flour and canola oil they hand out in fancy restaurants. I mean saltine crackers. They are also fantastic with crispy green salad. What would a bowl of firehouse chili be without a load of crumpled up crackers, and lots of catsup? One of my favorites as a kid was Campbell’s Pea Soup loaded with so many gooey saltines it looked like a big green glob of pasty peas. My family wasn’t too prosperous, and with crackers and ketchup you could almost double the subject matter.

Most restaurants in California, especially those with fancy pancy menus, don‘t carry them. “Soup or salad, Sir?” They ask.

“Got saltine crackers?”

“Why, no we don’t.”

“Neither one then”

Growing up I would go to a Chinese Restaurant and order chop suey. The waiters would bring a piping hot bowl and a large tub of crackers. It was a delicious combination. After moving to Morro Bay, California in the late 60’s I ate at a Chinese restaurant. I ordered a bowl of chop suey and when it arrived I asked for some crackers.“Clackers,” eyebrows raised, eyes wide the guy exclaimed, “We don’t have clackers!” He looked upset that anyone with any sense would order such a thing. I thought he was going to throw me out, and ban me from ever entering in his establishment again.

Denny’s has crackers, but they only give you two. There’s not much you can do with only two saltines. If you ask for more they always forget to bring them, and by the time you’ve waived your arm several times at a waitress, who ignore the gesture, you’ve eaten your soup. Sometimes someone across the room will waive back. I go over and see if they have any crackers they’re not using and are willing to give up.

A few weeks back my wife and I went to the “C&C Garden Bread Bakery and Café” in downtown Paso Robles. The bakery is owned by two nice ladies, Connie Jendin and Cherrie Hunter. It features home made soup, great sandwiches, and fresh baked bread. Pea soup was that day’s special. “Got any crackers?” I asked.

“No we don‘t,” Connie said.

“Soup ain’t soup with out ’em, I’ll just have a sandwich.”

A few minutes later Cherrie came out from the back. “You know we should have some crackers. Back home we always had crackers with our soup. Next time you’ll have them.” Sure enough on my next trip as soon as I walked through the door they announced, “We got your crackers!,” and a load of saltines were ushered forth. I crumpled as many as I could into that hot homemade black bean soup. I can’t wait for the next pea soup special so I can load it down into a big green glob of pasty peas.

Mmm’, mmm,’ Good!