Through the years of living in the country, I learned firsthand what it was like to run out of anything that would be needed at some time. I have always tried to keep enough extra items just in case the power in the country would go out or there would be a knee-deep snowstorm keeping us from getting to town.
Being ready for any incident gave me a sense of comfort. Little did I know that something else would keep me home bound until the coronavirus invaded our part of the world.
Looking in the pantry, the freezer and the refrigerator, I felt sure I could survive for a while. My friend Lelia made me a couple of masks to wear just in case I really needed to leave my house.
My son and son-in-law stood ready to get any groceries I might need. Now, here you see I said NEED. I was not going to bother them just for trivial items. The days move along.
Things were going well until I looked in the pantry again, seeing popcorn staring me in the face, so I popped it. Not bad for breakfast if one is tired of cereal for six days in a row. Plus the fact that there was no more cereal and I had already used up all the milk, and cereal doesn't taste as good with water.
Then what for noon? Oops, I had eaten all the bread so I could not make a sandwich. Bummer!
Had a few dried-up marshmallows that were not looking so good, but I knew it would not harm me, so I chewed, chewed and chewed on those all afternoon. Water helped it to go down. There was always a good supply of water from the faucet, so that was good.
Another trip to the freezer, but I could not even force myself to look at frozen foods just yet. I was not that desperate. I needed to save the electricity just in case of an emergency. I also wanted to keep it in case all the other food items were gone.
Have you tried eating baked beans out of a can, cold, while trying to be positive about your situation? I had already eaten the other can of beans some days ago.
The bag of dry-powdered mashed potatoes could be eaten mixed with water, while trying not to think of the butter that would make it more tasty. I had already eaten the butter on my frozen corn, besides the fact that the mound of cold mashed potatoes made me think of ice cream.
Oh my, I was not about to call someone from my family for help. Be strong and make do with what I had! I was not starving yet!
Supplies were beginning to look less with each day. My diet became eating whatever I had if the can or package had a good, colorful picture on its outside. I kept remembering what my mother always said to us, "Eat it! There are starving children in this world."
So back to the freezer I went, got the frozen chicken, thawed it and didn't wait to bake it. I ate it fried, skin and all, praying no one would see and tell me not to eat the fat. These were desperate times. Eat what is available.
Oh my, that fried chicken sure tasted good!
Time rolls along and things got better. More people were getting outside, going places and enjoying life as it should be. I gained 10 pounds living on a different diet, but what the heck! I had survived eating my way through the pandemic.
Speaking of popcorn, try this recipe. It's easy to make and so very good at any time.
Popcorn balls From the PEO/Chapter DY Cookbook, 1950
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup white corn syrup
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup butter
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp vanilla
3 quarts popped corn
Stir until dissolved. Continue cooking without stirring until 270 degrees. Pour over popped corn. Shape into balls.
This can be poured onto a piece of waxed paper, spread out, let cool and then you have caramel popcorn.