Tri-County News

Never ‘too old’ in my eyes


Matching tattoos we each got last year. A bird representing “Birds Up” as we wave our arms in the air. Submitted photo.

Sandy Holthaus

I am about to depart for our annual Woman’s Wellness Weekend. This has been a tradition for more than 19 years. Once a year, I get together with my mom, her three remaining sisters, two of my cousins, a great aunt, and our matriarch, Gloria. Sometimes there is a friend or two who come along as well. We find a fantastic VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner), cook wonderful foods, create art, shop, go to the spa, relax, and last year we even got matching tattoos. A beautiful bird on our wrists which represent “Birds Up” as we wave our arms in the air. It’s a celebration of life and friendships. I have never considered myself a tattoo person, but when I see my wrist every day, I am reminded of the love I share with these special women in my life. We have made our pack, and we forever support each other through the good, the bad, the sadness, and the honesty. We have all faced the loss of loved ones, so we cry and share memories of those we miss. Being with women who know me so well means that, when we check in every year, we don’t have to start over. The stories continue year after year.

This is a sad year for us all, as our loved and adored matriarch Gloria has been told she is too old to join us this year. At 94, she is one of the most active people I know. When we play cards or dominos, she keeps score and shakes her head when we make a terrible play. She’s sharp as a tack, and a spitfire. I mean that in the “most loving,” generous way. When we vacationed in Cabo San Lucas for her 90th birthday, she went skydiving! Gloria has traveled the world as a teacher and a friend to many. She was still teaching English as a second language, going to the club to work out, and driving just a year ago. She says she doesn’t feel old, and I believe her. It breaks my heart when people don’t listen to the elderly. The point comes when people begin to talk to them like a child, putting them to bed at
8 p.m. and tucking them in. When I am 94, I want to surround myself with young people who have exciting ideas, read books, and I will travel until the motor dies in my electric wheelchair.

I know her heart, she has given up the fight and decided to let others decide what is best for her. At some point, it is easier than telling them all to “step off” daily. But what if we didn’t do that to our elderly? What if we encouraged good food and exercise over medication and naps? What happened to “young at heart?” I honestly think it was the tattoo that pushed them over the edge. It’s sad when people don’t understand the bond that is shared by others. I will forever look at my wrist and think of the women I love. Most of all, I will think of Gloria and all she has given me in my life as a mentor, teacher, and friend. Dear Gloria, you will never be “too old” in my eyes.

Peace, Sandy

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln

Cocoa Sandwiches

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

pinch of salt

Melt butter, add cocoa, sugar, salt, peanut butter, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Make sandwiches using butter on one slice of bread and chocolate filling on the other.

Vanilla Raisin Scones

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) chilled, unsalted butter, diced

1 cup raisins (soaked in water for about 20 minutes beforehand)

3/4 cup chilled buttermilk

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. In a large bowl, using a whisk, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add butter and rub into flour mixture with fingertips until butter is reduced to the size of rice grains. Add in raisins and mix in with a spoon. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg yolk, and vanilla to blend. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients; stir with a spoon until the dough comes together in moist clumps. Gather dough into a ball with your hands. Break off small clumps of dough and drop onto prepared baking sheet spacing about 1 inch apart. Clumps should be about 2 inches in diameter and about 1 1/2 to 2 inches high. Bake in a preheated oven about 10 minutes or until scones are crusty on top and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Duke’s Mayonnaise Cake

6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups Duke’s mayonnaise

1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups cold water

Preheat oven to 350°F, grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans. Sift cocoa, flour, baking soda, salt, and sugar into a medium bowl, mix well. Combine mayonnaise, vanilla, and water with an electric mixer at low speed. Once smooth, slowly add in dry mixture until just incorporated (do not overbeat). Pour batter into cake pans and bake for 30 minutes or until done. Cool on wire racks and frost with Duke’s chocolate frosting or your favorite frosting.

Duke’s Chocolate Frosting

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup of cocoa

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 to 6 cups confectioner’s sugar

6 or more tablespoons milk

For Duke’s chocolate frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and cocoa with a whisk attachment until smooth. Add vanilla. Add confectioner’s sugar alternately with milk until icing reaches a spreadable consistency.

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