The Past
My maternal grandparents came to live with us when I was very little—just barely walking. They stayed with us until my grandfather went into a nursing home when I was in the fourth grade. It was a nursing home in the truest sense of the word, as it was staffed by professional nurses. My mother would take us to visit my grandfather every week or so. We would visit with him for a short time and then my brothers, my sister, and I would go and sit on the front porch of this large old home while my mother spent time with her father. One of the things I found particularly interesting about these visits was the fact that Mamie Eisenhower’s mother lived just down the street. A couple of times, we were lucky enough to see the big limousine pull up to the curb and Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower would appear. The chauffeur/secret service agent would hop out of the car and open the door for the President and his wife. What was so unusual about these visits was the fact that in addition to the President’s limousine, there was only one other car in view, occupied by secret service. No streets were closed off, no government snipers appeared to be posted on buildings nearby, no hype. Just a quiet residential call by the Eisenhowers to Mrs. Eisenhower’s mother.
The Present
Would this happen today? No. Simply No. A public figure goes nowhere without protection. It isn’t just our politicians—Hollywood movie stars have bodyguards (you know, to protect themselves from all those rabid fans who pay good money to attend a concert or see a movie so that these illustrious creatures may live a fantasy lifestyle). I am sure that many of these individuals truly do feel the need for physical protection. Having said that though, I am rather sorry for people who believe that their greatest protection comes from a gigantic body guard carrying a 45mm. The truest, and really the only, source of safety and security lies with God. “…A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (John 3:27) “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17). Perhaps when our country was a moral beacon long ago, people recognized the fact that the ultimate protection, as a perfect gift, comes from heaven above.
Recipe
Jan’s Junk
1 pkg of egg noodles
1-1/2 lbs. of ground beef
1 large minced onion
2 cans of tomato soup
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of tomato paste
1 can of mushrooms (or fresh, if desired)
1 can of kernel corn
1 tbsp. of Italian herbs
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large skillet, stir the ground beef with the diced onion over medium heat, until the ground beef is well done. Cook the noodles until they are al dente, drain and place in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Add the remaining ingredients to the hamburger and onions and mix well. Add this mixture to the noodles in the casserole and mix everything together. Top with Parmesan cheese and bake for 30 minutes in a 325 degree oven.
This was a recipe given to my mother by a friend, obviously named Jan. When my mother asked her for the recipe, she said, “You just add a bunch of junk.” Hence Jan’s Junk. It really is a lot more appetizing than the name sounds. A great casserole for a big family on a busy night.
My maternal grandparents came to live with us when I was very little—just barely walking. They stayed with us until my grandfather went into a nursing home when I was in the fourth grade. It was a nursing home in the truest sense of the word, as it was staffed by professional nurses. My mother would take us to visit my grandfather every week or so. We would visit with him for a short time and then my brothers, my sister, and I would go and sit on the front porch of this large old home while my mother spent time with her father. One of the things I found particularly interesting about these visits was the fact that Mamie Eisenhower’s mother lived just down the street. A couple of times, we were lucky enough to see the big limousine pull up to the curb and Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower would appear. The chauffeur/secret service agent would hop out of the car and open the door for the President and his wife. What was so unusual about these visits was the fact that in addition to the President’s limousine, there was only one other car in view, occupied by secret service. No streets were closed off, no government snipers appeared to be posted on buildings nearby, no hype. Just a quiet residential call by the Eisenhowers to Mrs. Eisenhower’s mother.
The Present
Would this happen today? No. Simply No. A public figure goes nowhere without protection. It isn’t just our politicians—Hollywood movie stars have bodyguards (you know, to protect themselves from all those rabid fans who pay good money to attend a concert or see a movie so that these illustrious creatures may live a fantasy lifestyle). I am sure that many of these individuals truly do feel the need for physical protection. Having said that though, I am rather sorry for people who believe that their greatest protection comes from a gigantic body guard carrying a 45mm. The truest, and really the only, source of safety and security lies with God. “…A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (John 3:27) “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17). Perhaps when our country was a moral beacon long ago, people recognized the fact that the ultimate protection, as a perfect gift, comes from heaven above.
Recipe
Jan’s Junk
1 pkg of egg noodles
1-1/2 lbs. of ground beef
1 large minced onion
2 cans of tomato soup
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of tomato paste
1 can of mushrooms (or fresh, if desired)
1 can of kernel corn
1 tbsp. of Italian herbs
Salt and pepper to taste
In a large skillet, stir the ground beef with the diced onion over medium heat, until the ground beef is well done. Cook the noodles until they are al dente, drain and place in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Add the remaining ingredients to the hamburger and onions and mix well. Add this mixture to the noodles in the casserole and mix everything together. Top with Parmesan cheese and bake for 30 minutes in a 325 degree oven.
This was a recipe given to my mother by a friend, obviously named Jan. When my mother asked her for the recipe, she said, “You just add a bunch of junk.” Hence Jan’s Junk. It really is a lot more appetizing than the name sounds. A great casserole for a big family on a busy night.