The Key West Citizen

SHOP HOPPING WITH JAXON

As this is written it sort of looks like ol' Mom Nature decided to start the new year with a clean sweep, and thereby started sweeping! And the winds blew...
It was a most wonderful thing though, to view the strange things wrought by moving air: The miraculous greens and blues of sun-dappled waters whitened as if someone had spilled a mighty tub of white lead into them. The green wreckage of tree and shrub strewn over black-wet streets. The bits of driftwood with strange romantic names of deceased ships afloat on sodden beach and bay. And tumbling grey clouds patched with blue and edged with sunshine.
In spite of the high cost of storms, it is always a bit exciting to see what the wind hath brought when night's coverlet is pulled away. Our poinsettias are hanging in red rags and strewn on the lawn; we have banana trees and snow-on-the-mountain laced along the pathway to the backyard, and the old grey shed in back has leaned into a new angle under the 'dilly' tree.
Lensmen, amateur and professional would take joy in the stern-end view of "Noah's Ark" that is visible in the tossing waves down at the foot of Front St. 'mid the oil soaked waves. What an end for a noble ship of historic name!
And what a chore for a wind blown shopper skipping puddles along the streets clinging tightly to skirts a-sail! Banging in doors with people asking most incredulously, "What are YOU doing out in this weather?"
I'se jes' shopping Ma'am, and see what I found!
First of all I found that Keys Liquor Store out on the Boulevard by Food Fair is something like the U. S. Post Office whose motto, "Neither rain, nor wind, sleet... etc., etc.," does not stop the business of the day. In spite of the winds and shattered windows, Keys is open for business as usual, dispensing fine liquors at bargain prices. In fact, I saw there a $10 bottle of precious name-brand whisky for $4.50!
A word to the wise is to make your liquor and grocery buying a one-stop deal, and when you are out at the Food Fair Shopping Center, shop Keys Liquor.
All I'm hoping is that old Mother Nature will call it a day and turn on the heat come Sunday (today) in order that the Women's Club can present its White Christmas program at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. They will put on the pageant of the "Twelve Nights of Christmas" as produced and staged by those two talented Mummers, Jane and Tom Hall. I have seen some of the beautiful hand painted costumes and I know some of the members of the cast, so I am expecting to see a superb performance.
I received a beautiful note written in a wonderful old-world style from that old-world gentleman who always appears to have miraculously come from the pages of some fairy tale... Tom Hall, inviting my attention to this pageant. Although I fully intended seeing it, after his letter, I somehow wouldn't have missed it for worlds.
So be sure and take the kiddies this afternoon at 3, when we hope the sun will be a little warm. Tonight at 8 the grown-ups of hardier breed can see it neath the light of the moon... man-made. See you on 11th night at 12th night!
This being the season of winter visitors, be sure and take your visitors to the Caribe Restaurant at least once. Here you can eat the very best in Native dishes, especially the wonderful Shrimp Sebastian and the Key Lime Pie made and served as only Caribe can do it. The setting is beautiful too, and close to the Aquarium. Don't miss it!
After the rich heavy foods of the holidays, fried chicken the sweet sour way is nice for the family or for dinner guests. After the chicken pieces are browned, add pineapple chunks, green pepper squares, carrot strips, chopped celery, and about a half cup of pineapple juice and 2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice. Steam under cover for 30 minutes, until the chicken is so tender it almost falls from the bone. Uncover and put in a very hot oven about 15 minutes more to brown and crisp the top.
With it serve tiny steamed new potatoes, dressed with mustard butter or chopped fresh dill. They cook in about 20 minutes.
The guys have sort of taken a leaf from the girl's fashion book and found that sports jackets and slacks, mix or match, make some mighty fine combinations and stretch the wardrobe endlessly.
Albert's Inc, never far behind, have come forth with the newest and smartest jackets of the season. There's a heavy champagne colored Belgian linen that would spark up the dullest wardrobe in the world. And the "Lian Viyella" a soft imported British fabric in pastels or darks. I saw a pure silk that looks just like burlap and an Ivy League stripe in cotton. Then there were plaids and houndstooth checks too. All smart as anything, and wonderful for this climate and season.
News of the death of a very dear friend in New York and the front page story of the death of her husband hurrying to her side and run down in his sports car by a run-away teenager driving 100 miles an hour has made me even more accident conscious than before.
And so I go about observing accidents that are about to happen... if steps are not taken: A very large laundry truck with rear windows obscured by swinging clothing and no rear-view mirror: A teenager riding a bike too fast wrong way on a one way street: Speedsters on Olivia Street: Children riding the fenders and hood of a rattle-de-bang old car: A large Navy truck heavily loaded, cutting in and out of traffic on the Boulevard: Fishermen on the bridges, acting as though they had the right of way!
Auctions are always exciting things, and now comes one of interest to fishermen and boatmen: So watch the Classified Section of this paper for the announcement of an Auction at The Boat House, Inc. on Stock Island. Something new is being added!
In a successful Broadway play of a few years back, one I might add, that was successfully repeated at our own Barn Theatre, there was a scene in which the grandfather of the family rose at the beginning of each meal. He looked at the ceiling and opined conversationally:
"Well Lord, it's been a pretty good day."
The play was "You Can't Take It With You" and the family's name was Sycamore. Sometimes I lie awake trying to remember either the title or the name or both. They fall constantly from their allotted slot in my mind.
But I have never forgotten the words. I don't know why. They aren't poetry, nor even lilting prose. They would never move men to greatness, nor halt the hand of vengeance. They will never be taught in the classroom, engraved on silver or gold or even carved on stone. But they are written on the heart.
In the eyes of God, a year is as a day or a moment or even only a microscopic fragment from the far touch of time. I do not presume to call His attention to such insignificance. But another year is beginning.
And as it is when all years begin, I have no very great hopes for it but I hope. Each year is for me the clean sweep of excitement across the face of myself, and each the bright expectation of adventure. Some years have held little, some much, but each has been a turning point.
Each has been memorable for more than pain and less than tragedy. Each has contained a measure of joy and delight and, if some have been other than fulfilling, each has been other than disaster.
And so, I could ask nothing better than to find myself here in the last twilight of this new '58 with my eyes raised to the stars, saying,
"Well, Lord, it's been a pretty good year."
Did you know and have you noticed, that you may use display advertising in the Classified Section of this newspaper? It is surprisingly reasonable, and as an attention getting, it has no equal. You live here, so your problems are local. Your ad won't be lost in the myriad pages of classified advertising as in a big metropolitan daily. So just call CY 6-5661 and ask for the Classified Ad Man, and he'll answer all your questions and write your ad too... all for the price of the ad alone!
The French have a name for it like "Oeufs Enterallies" but who can pronounce it? I just call it "that good baked egg casserole" and the family enjoys it immensely!
Hard-cook 1 dozen eggs. Cool, peel and slice thinly. Saute 1/4 pound bacon until crisp. Drain and crumble. Saute one medium onion in 1 tablespoon butter until brown. Mix with the bacon. Make 2 cups medium cream sauce using 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup flour, 1 cup light cream and 1 cup milk. Add 1/2 pound grated sharp cheddar cheese, stirring until the cheese is melted. Season with 1 small clove garlic, crushed 1/4 teaspoon each of thyme, marjoram and basil. Add 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Pour some of the sauce into a greased baking dish, add a layer of egg slices, then bacon and onion crumbles and more cheese sauce. Continue until ingredients are used up, ending with the sauce. Sprinkle with buttered bread or cracker crumbs and bake in a very hot oven for 10 or 15 minutes until bubbly and the crumbs are browned. Makes 6 servings. For Lenten or Fast Days, this is almost as good when the bacon is omitted.
They say age is a state of mind... especially if you visit Donald's regularly. Hold my doll a minute, while I adjust my bib.
And so endeth the first column of ye olde shoppe hopper in the new year 1958! Time marches backward! Well anyhow, it's been fun, and lacking any new gems of wisdom to pass on... I've done had it... just don't forget to see "White Christmas" this afternoon or evening... good shopping and so long 'til next time. Jaxon. Advt.