Dear Abby is written by Pauline Phillips and daughter Jeanne Phillips.
DEAR ABBY: Last year, our family added a new tradition to our Thanksgiving celebration. As we were being seated at the table, we wondered about a packet of corn kernels at each plate. Our 8-year-old granddaughter explained by reciting "The Legend of the Five Kernels":
"It was very cold for the Pilgrims that first winter. Food was in short supply. Some days, they had only five kernels of corn. When spring came, the Pilgrims planted the remaining corn. The sun and rain helped the seeds to grow and much food was harvested in the fall. Every Thanksgiving thereafter, the Pilgrims placed five kernels of corn beside each plate to remind them of their blessings:
"The first kernel reminded them of the autumn beauty.
"The second reminded them of their love for each other.
"The third reminded them of their family's love.
"The fourth reminded them of their friends ... especially their Indian brothers.
"The fifth kernel reminded them of their freedom."
Abby, I am blessed to have learned something I never knew before. -- Z. JACOBS, FLORIDA
DEAR Z.: What a charming tradition. It honors the original inhabitants of our great country, as well as the immigrants who followed.
DEAR ABBY: When I was a little girl, I would always ask my mom to make the same cake for my birthday. It was luscious, a rich chocolate with white frosting and bitter chocolate drizzled over it. I thought it was an old family recipe Mom had gotten from her mother. She recently told me she got it from an old column of yours.
I'm 40 years old now, and it has to have been 25 years since I have tasted that cake. I would love to have it for my 41st birthday. Mom told me to ask you for it because she would be thrilled to have that recipe again, too. She also wants the recipe for your fabulous pecan pie. Does this ring any bells with you? -- MICKEY IN MADISON, WIS.
DEAR MICKEY: It certainly does. The chocolate cake has been a longtime favorite in my family -- and many of my readers'. (It was once featured on the cover of a women's magazine.)
The recipe is too long to be included here, but because I received so many requests for it over the years, I included it in the first of my two cookbooklets. To order my cookbooklet set, send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $10 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)
However, the pecan pie recipe is short enough for me to print. I'm sure it will be a hit at your Thanksgiving feast.
ABBY'S FAMOUS PECAN PIE
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 heaping cup pecan halves
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare pie crust.
In large bowl, combine corn syrup, sugar, eggs, butter, salt and vanilla; mix well. Pour filling into prepared pie crust; sprinkle with pecan halves.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until center is set. (Toothpick inserted will come out clean when pie is done.) Cool. If crust or pie appears to be getting too brown, cover with foil for remaining baking time.
You can top it with a bit of whipped cream or ice cream, but even plain, nothing tops this!
Serves 8 to 10.
TIP: The original recipe stated that the pie should be baked 45 to 50 minutes in a preheated 350-degree GAS oven. If an electric oven is used, it may be necessary to add 15 to 20 minutes to the baking time. (Begin testing the pie with a toothpick after 45 minutes.)
Woman Who Ran From Family Yearns to Return to the Fold
DEAR ABBY: A year ago, I made a horrible mistake. I ran away from home. I am not a child -- I am a 40-year-old wife and mother.
I was unhappy with my husband and walked away from my life. I left everything: my kids, my clothes, and the mementos I had collected my entire life.
For a long time before that, I felt unneeded and alone. My husband talked to me mostly in irritated tones -- as if everything I said to him was stupid or worthless. My teen-aged sons were disrespectful or ignored me altogether. Their father thought it was funny and said it was my fault. So I ran.
I have had no contact with anyone for a year. Not my kids, my mother or any of my friends. I am lonely and miserable. I suffer from depression. I had a bad case of endometriosis and large fibroids. I am recovering from a full hysterectomy.
The reason I am writing is that I miss my family. I want so much to hug my sons and make sure they are all right. After what I have done, I am not sure I have that right any longer. I don't want to cause more upheaval in their lives. I love them very much, and I know what I did was wrong. I probably don't deserve their forgiveness.
Maybe I should stay out of their lives for good, but my heart aches. I am so confused and scared -- but mostly lonely. I really need your advice. -- LOST MOTHER IN THE MIDWEST
DEAR LOST: What you did was irrational, and whether it was triggered by your depression or a hormonal imbalance is anybody's guess. Before trying to contact your family, I urge you to schedule some sessions with a counselor to be sure you're strong enough to face what may lie ahead. Once you're on firmer emotional footing, the counselor -- or a clergyperson -- should mediate and facilitate the family reunion. I wish you the best of luck.
DEAR ABBY: I must respond to the letter from "Stamp Out Stereotyping," who asked why patrons of the parents' "ethnic" restaurant assume that he/she has no command of the English language.
The situation described is not unusual. It is an example of lack of sophistication. As Fernando Lamas said on the Johnny Carson show many years ago: Do not make fun of people who speak with an accent -- they know more languages than YOU do.
The other side of the coin is the Native American man (he called himself an Indian) I met in Santa Fe, N.M., a while ago. He was a graduate student at Harvard, educated and articulate.
During Fiesta, the town's big celebration, he would dress himself in his "Indian outfit," speak like Tonto from "The Lone Ranger," and sell cheap trinkets to the tourists at exorbitant prices. The customers were completely fooled, and my friend laughed all the way to the bank.
So, you never know! -- TOM H., ASHLAND, ORE.
DEAR TOM: I can say without reservation that the young man had a wicked sense of humor as well as an astute sense of business.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"Oh, the kind words we give shall in memory live;
"And sunshine forever impart;
"Let us oft speak kind words to each other;
"Kind words are sweet tones of the heart."
-- Joseph L. Townsend (Submitted by Emilio Caballero)
Dear Abby is written by Pauline Phillips and daughter Jeanne Phillips.
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order "How to Have a Lovely Wedding." Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)
BULLIES' TAUNTS FALL SILENT AFTER TEEN GAINS SELF-ESTEEM
DEAR ABBY: After reading the letter from "Bullied in Delaware," who was critical of an article she had read about how to prevent bullying, I had to write.
I am a 17-year-old girl who was teased and tormented from first grade on. Because of it, I became depressed and began eating my problems away, which led to the nickname "Big Red" and other undignified labels. When I reached the summer of my sophomore year, I was at an all-time low. A good friend offered me some advice that changed my life:
"If you hear something long enough, you begin to believe it. You've been told all about your outward 'flaws' for so many years, your perception of yourself has become blurred. Every day you look in the mirror and see what the bullies have told you. Stop seeing illusions. See yourself for who you truly are."
From that day on, each time I looked in the mirror, I told myself OUT LOUD that I was beautiful and a special human being. Once I began to feel respect for myself, others did too.
Abby, please print this to help other girls and boys avoid the hell of living with no self-esteem because of the destructive words of others. This letter comes from someone who has been caught in the worst of it, and who has come out happier. -- PROUD TO BE ME IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR PROUD TO BE ME: Your friend gave you terrific advice. However, you deserve the credit for carrying it a step further with your daily affirmations. I'm told that many successful people -- athletes in particular -- use visualization techniques to improve their performance. Not only did you do that, but you added audio. I wish you continued success.
DEAR ABBY: I know you are an animal lover. I hope you will consider this wonderful item I received from a friend worthy of space in your column. -- GERARD IN BLOOMFIELD, N.J.
DEAR GERARD: It certainly is, as I'm sure my pet-loving readers will agree. With apologies to Rudyard Kipling, please read on:
"If you can start the day without caffeine,
"If you can get along without pep pills,
"If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
"If you can resist complaining to and boring people with your troubles,
"If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
"If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
"If you can overlook it when those you love take it out on you when, through no fault of your own, something goes wrong,
"If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
"If you can ignore a friend's limited education and never correct him or her,
"If you can resist treating a rich friend better than a poor one,
"If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
"If you can conquer tension without medical help,
"If you can relax without liquor,
"If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
"If you can honestly say that deep in your heart you have no prejudice against creed, sex, color, religion, national origin, gender preference or politics,
"THEN you have ALMOST reached the same level of development as your dog or cat."
Dear Abby is written by Pauline Phillips and daughter Jeanne Phillips.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more attractive person, order "How to Be Popular." Send a business-size, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)