The extended family was hovering with question marks in their eyes.  You could feel the tension in the kitchen.  Was she going to be able to make really good gravy to go with the Thanksgiving turkey and mashed potatoes?  But then they watched as I reached for the Betty Crocker Cookbook - and the tension dissolved in seconds.  They knew a true and trusted friend was to the rescue.

I had thought that at age 69 I would have all the cooking skills I needed under control.  But what I know now is not to fool around trying to do follow unconventional recipes when all I need to do is follow the instructions...