Writing Memories-Part1 really stirred up my brain cells. I couldn’t stop them from driving me a little wacko by displaying picture after picture of things I wish I had the ambition to write about. For instance, have I ever told you my father had a drinking problem? Well, you really can’t call it a problem since he was actually a great drinker. Had an unbelievable capacity to hold liquor. He could put away a quart during the course of the day and you wouldn’t even know he was drinking. He wasn’t a violent drinker, nor was he a happy one, but he never stopped talking. Unfortunately when he had drank enough he talked in circles. And God forbid you didn’t pay attention and make believe you understood the rambling because that would really sour his mood. I was going to use other words but decided against it.
Drinking did however create a few humorous situations. Dad would, on occasion take road trips with other drinking buddies of his. One such trip was to Canada. If memory serves me correctly there were five making the trip and the drinking must have been heavy because one of the guys was passed out on the floor in the rear. They spent a couple of days in Canada and began the return home. They ran into a problem when they made the required stop at customs. Customs officer had to detain them since his records indicated that four men crossed the border into Canada, but now five were entering the United States. I’m guessing my “silver tongued” Dad talked his way out of the jam.
As I related this story I
was thinking about driving. For some
reason or other it occurred to me that I’ve been driving for just about 74
years. How is that possible you say?
That would mean you were driving when you were twelve, and you would be
right. My Dad had a friend Peter who was
an old drinking buddy of his. Peter owned a home on Lake Congamond in
Southwick, Mass. My mother, father and I would often visit with Peter and his
wife on during the summer months. I was a required tag along and had nothing to
do while the four of them sat around talking and doing a great job destroying a
bottle of 
Four Roses. To keep me amused dad would toss me the keys to our 1947
Chrysler Windsor and told me to practice my driving around the pretty empty
tobacco field roads. These practice
sessions served me well when mom and dad were not in shape to drive home one
night. No problem, mom and dad relaxed,
I think, in the back seat while their twelve year old son got them back to New
Britain safe and sound.
While we’re on the subject of cars and driving let me tell you how my dad scared the hell out of passengers when he was the driver. My dad would pass out cars regardless of what the painted lines on the highway or road indicated. We would close our eyes and say silent prayers. It wasn’t until he was years into retirement when we got the courage to ask him why he was such a crazy driver. We should have asked him years ago because his answer was very simple and honest: he didn’t know what the all the changes in the lines meant. He merely assumed that they were running out of paint and had to conserve where they could. Always pays to ask.
Recipe Time: Here’s a meal I made the other night. Marge and I were quite pleased with the results and thought we’d share it with you.
WISK POLISH KIELBASA STEW
1 ring kielbasa, sliced
4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into one inch cubes
1 large onion, peeled and quartered
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
6 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly smashed
1 cup beer (I suggest using the entire can of a dark beer)
1 tablespoon grated horseradish
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large hot Dutch oven fry kielbasa just to release some fat.
Toss in potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic.
Mix together the beer, horseradish, peppercorns, bay leaf, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over the kielbasa mixture.
Cover and bake for 60 minutes then toss.
Raise oven temperature to 425°F; sprinkle with a pinch of coarse salt and bake for 20-30 more minutes till top is crisp and inside is fork tender.
Serve with fresh rye bread, horseradish and or mustard. Serves 4
I feel this recipe gives you the opportunity to experiment with many different veggies such as cabbage, sauerkraut etc. and other flavorings and spices.
