Diva with the Red Hattitude

What the caterpillar call the end, God calls a butterfly!

Whirlwind week for this ol’ gal! The most rewarding experience I have ever had in volunteer work at Christmas time is the “Shopping with a Veteran Program” sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliaries of the state of Utah. I spent three days at the VA Hospital during intake for the program along with three other ladies. Veterans come with a list of names, ages and addresses of immediate family members to whom they want to send a gift ; they must complete paperwork, and go with a shopper who helps select gifts and keeps track of the inventory, the gifts are then wrapped and sent anywhere there is an address. I had one request for a package to be sent Afghanistan. What a worthwhile program. Our service man and woman were so grateful for this opportunity. Toys and items are requested year around, stored at the VA hospital and put out every year for a shopping spree. Inquiring about the history of the program, I learned it was started in 1938. The first day, the room was like a mini superstore.

I was so proud of the boss of the project; someone came dragging a box of soaps, shampoo and stuff borrowed on the no return plan from who knows where. She graciously said thank you, and ordered the staff to get rid of the box. We had quite a discussion and just disposed of the items as soon as the do gooder was gone. My take on it, is what a waste of time and energy. I think the world knows by now pawning soap, lotion, shampoo and the like off on the homeless at Christmas time is one of my pet peeves.

Kudos to the Sandy Senior Center, who have been making afghans, hats, scarves and the like all year long. Ken and his gals were featured on the news as they soon will deliver their works of art to the Road Home homeless shelter. A very worthwhile project to say the least!

The news, local section and letters to the editor of the Tribune have been quite interesting lately. I find it amusing! I swear it does not take much to amuse me these days.

Going through another cookbook, I found another recipe; I shall call it the “Oh Crap Cake,” for lack of better verbiage. Start with a chocolate cake mix: add three eggs, three jars of pureed baby food prunes, _ cup warm water, 3 teaspoons instant coffee granules, 2 tablespoons applesauce. Bake in a spray and floured Bundt pan for 40 minutes @ 350+ I haven’t dared try it, but I’m waiting to be asked to bring desert for some pot luck. Would I do that==one never knows!

This week, Karan Speetzner was called home. She was Barb’s sister and VelDean’s daughter (Red Hat ladies in Kearns) and a neighbor of mine. I played the music for the service; I laughed at VelDean as she cautioned, “Make sure some of the music you play is religious.” She knew I played in dance bands and was afraid I was going to jazz it up a little bit.

Grandma Gene is getting along great. Alta Ridge is a good place to recover, and at least, no one hollers at her there. She asked me if I had the password the other night when I went to see her. She was zonkered up on pain pills after a strenuous morning of exercises. Sunday was her birthday I went to see her in the morning and told her about “the cake.” She didn’t want any part of it! We had a good laugh. She said she would be watching for my chocolate cake! I assured her, I would not make it for her.

Until next week, never do anything you have to explain to the paramedics. Later in the area, Andrea