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Texans salute fallen military hero
Published August 16, 2009
Hello Gin,
I know you are always talking about Texans, and how much you like them. Well, let me tell you something about those wonderful Texans. My son’s very best friend in the world died in Iraq.
Rodney Jarvis was only 34 years old, leaving a wife and two daughters when he died. His mom and dad were originally from Ohio, but had moved to Newton, Texas, some years ago. I doubt that everyone in that town knew him, although I’m sure some did. When Rodney died there was standing room only at the church, and as the funeral procession passed from the church to the cemetery several miles away, everyone in town was standing outside in the pouring down rain holding American flags, with their right hands over their hearts.
My husband was in the Army for 24 years, and had to go on many funeral details over the years. When my husband saw all the people standing out in the rain holding flags, and with their hands over their hearts, he said, “These people are why young men and women join the military to fight terrorism all over the world.”
I will never forget the sight of all those people out in the rain, Gin. I want to use your column to extend my heartfelt thanks to all of them. I will never forget them standing in the rain holding American flags to give a final salute to a young man gone too soon from this world.
Thank you to all the people of Newton, Texas. Y’all are totally awesome!
Bonnie K. Coleman
Bonnie,
I now have a mental picture of folks standing in the rain to honor one of our fallen soldiers. I’m sure no one minded, either.
Rodney, along with all the other Rodneys of this war, deserve folks standing in the rain with their hands over their hearts. That is a very nice and thoughtful tribute to pay a person who made the ultimate sacrifice. I am honored you wanted to pay tribute to these fine folks from Newton via my column! Newton is down the road from Jasper in East Texas. Hearing this kind of thing makes me proud to be a Texan.
When my dad died and we were on the back country roads going to the cemetery in the Hill Country (between Briggs and Copperas Cove) everyone pulled over, got out of their truck/car and took their hat off and held their hand over their heart. It made me, along with the rest of my family, feel really special.
When I can, I always pull over for a funeral procession … I guess being from the old school, I would. Believe me, when you do this nice little gesture it is noticed and appreciated! Respect, I think they call it!
• • •
This next hint comes from daughter number three and the prettiest girl in Lake Conroe. She dries her clothes with Bounce dryer sheets, but then she takes it one step further also. She places a new one in the pillowcase on the beds.
If you are sensitive to the smell, place it on the bottom of the pillow. Of course, she places hers on the top. She also puts one in the pillow shams. She says when you walk into the room it smells … well, it smells like a Bounce dryer sheet — my words, not hers. She just said it smells good.
• • •
Hi Gin,
My mother lives in West Columbia and faithfully saves me all your recipes. I love getting them. I also enjoy The Facts when I get a chance to read it. I enjoy it much more than our local paper. So, keep up the good work all around.
I was looking over my last recipes that I received from my mom and read the request from Patsy from Lake Jackson for a strawberry cake made with a cake mix and frozen strawberries. I was so excited because I have a recipe that I think may be what she is looking for. This recipe came from my aunt many years ago.
Connie
Connie,
I ran that same exact recipe last Wednesday, but I just couldn’t resist putting your opening paragraph in the column. I am so happy to hear you like our local Facts better than your hometown newspaper. You didn’t mention where your hometown was and that’s OK.
Just liking what we do should get me a nice raise! Huh, publisher Bill Cornwell! Now we’ll see if he reads my column. If you do, Bill, remember you owe me lunch!
• • •
Hello lady,
Things are going well here in Moss Bluff, La. I was late reading your Sunday column and I can commiserate with you about people using cell phones and texting.
We made a quick whirlwind trip to Memphis for the birth of our grandson, and the people we encountered on the interstates that were TEXTING while driving was unreal! One would think that the “texters” would be the young people — well, it wasn’t. There were people driving and texting that were old enough to be my parents!
People need to realize that just because you are older doesn’t mean you can handle texting and driving at the same time! OK, enough fussing!
A great recipe and a hint (from experience): Many years ago, when I was a young housewife, I decided to try the beer biscuit/bread recipe. I made the dough and for some reason it didn’t rise, so I thought it would rise as I baked it. The biscuits were so hard they could have been used as a hockey puck!
In my haste to make the dough, I used a cold beer right out of the refrigerator! It seems basic, but sometimes we can’t see past our excitement for something new. OK, now for the recipe, one of my son’s favorites:
Strawberry Meringue Cake
1 box white cake mix
1 box strawberry Jell-O *
2/3 cup cooking oil
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 package frozen strawberries **
4 eggs
1/2 cup water.
Mix the above ingredients together well. Bake at 325 degrees to 350 degrees until done, approximately 1 hour (use the toothpick test). Don’t take the cake out of the oven until it starts to pull off the sides of the pan. Let it cook completely.
Meringue Frosting
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon white corn syrup
5 tablespoons of strawberries and juice
2 egg whites, unbeaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Cook ingredients in a double-boiler and beat at high speed until it holds a peak. The heat helps to melt the sugar. When the meringue holds a peak, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Spread over individual layers or sheet cake.
* I purchased the large box of Jell-O and 16-ounce package of strawberries for more flavor.
** BEFORE anything is done, remove 5 tablespoons of strawberries and juice (set aside).
This is a delicious cake and will impress your guests!
Jackie LeDoux Trouard, Moss Bluff, La.
Hi Jackie,
Congrats on the NEW grandbaby! I got lots of good feedback on the cell phone thing. I know it’s all ages and it’s scary to see this while driving down the road! Thanks for the wonderful recipe. I’m thinkin’ I’m making this one … I think I saw a blue moon last night!
If you have recipes or tips to share, or a request, send to Conversations with Gin, P.O. Box 334, Clute, TX 77531, or e-mail ginscolumn(at)hotmail.com.
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