When Worries Pile Up Shady Pines Serves Up a Recipe of Calm
How Bad Is it?
If you’re watching, reading or listening to too much news, then dear reader, your blood presure is probably through the roof! 
The amount of stress most people are feeling these days is hard to put into words.
All ages are feeling it. Even some of our younger neighbors here in Shady Pines Story Town are troubled by the images they see on TV and other electronic devices.
They have trouble sleeping. They’re not concentrating in school.
Some kids say they feel kinda depressed but don’t know why.
Okay that’s bad.
What’s going to make folks feel better?
Edna’s Kitchen
It’s a good thing you chose to visit our small Southern town. Because when we want to feel better we drop by Edna’s Kitchen.
Edna and Harold Sanders live just a stone’s throw from downtown Shady Pines. Their kitchen has an open door policy.
Edna is known for her “creative” approach to cooking.
“Oh, good, you’re here!” says Edna. “You know when you visit me you can be sure to find some tasty new recipe. Now mind you, not every dish turns out pefectly. But the process is usually heartwarming and sometimes hilarious!”
Ray’s Dilemma
Today seven-year-old Ray Robinson stops by for a pick me up.
“Mrs. Sanders are you here?” Ray calls out as he knocks on the back door.
Edna pulls a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies out of the oven. She puts them on a tray to cool and wipes her hands on her apron.
“Be right there Ray,” answers Edna.
As she opens the door she can tell Ray has come right from school. He’s still carrying his history book.
“Ray, are you all right?”
“Not really. You see…” The studious young man plops down at the kitchen table. Before he can say another word his pal, Boomerang, comes bounding into the room.
Ray is delighted to see him. “Hi ya Boomer. How are you boy?”
The Australian Shepherd dog drops his bone at the boy’s feet.
Edna can see Ray brighten at the sight of his four legged friend. “Ray would you like some cookies? They’re hot out of the oven.”
“Yes, please,” he says.
Ting, Ting, Ting, Ting. All eyes turn towards the doorway leading to the hall at the sound of a little bell bouncing on a pink collar.
“Oh, no,” groans Boomer. “Incoming!”
Halley’s Comet trots right on in. “Oh pipe down you overgrown ball of fur.” The silver streak of a cat launches and lands on Ray’s lap. “What’s going on Ray? You look kinda down”
Edna places a plate with four cookies in front of Ray along with a tall glass of milk. She lifts Halley to the floor and sits next to her visitor. “What did you want to talk about?”
School and Birthday Blues
Ray takes a bit. “These are really good!”
Edna smiles.
“Well, the thing is,” he begins, “it’s really two things.”
“Spit it out boy,” says Halley. “And I don’t mean the cookie.”
Boomer growls at her. “Give him a chance will ya? Go on Ray.”
Edna leans in closer. “You know how I usually get good grades, right?” Edna nods yes. “Of course. Ray you’re a wonderful student.”
“Hey Halley,” whispers Boomer. “Remember when Ray got straight A’s on his last report card?”
“Of course I do you big goof. So what’s bothering him?”
Edna encourages Ray. “Go on.”
“My mom just found out my dad and his military unit have to leave again. Somewhere overseas. She’s really worried. I hear so much bad news. I can’t get to sleep and I’m messing up my homework.”
Edna reaches over and hugs him. “I can understand the concern. There’s a lot going on in the world right now. But I truly believe your father will be fine.”
Ray says softly. “I sure hope you’re right.”
“Poor kid,” says Halley.
Boomer rubs up aganst Ray’s leg.
Edna pulls back a bit. “Is there something more?”
That Takes The Cake
“Yeah,” says Ray. “My birthday is next week. My mom can’t… I mean I can’t expect her to think about that.”
Edna smiles. “She doesn’t have to do a thing. We’ll take care of everything won’t we kids?”
“We?” shrieks Halley. “Us?”
Boomer barks. “All right!”
Ray please come over here and meet my blender, Gertie.
“She’s the one with attitude, right?” asks Ray.
“Be careful what you say around her mister ’cause she’s been known to blow her top.”
“You can say that again,” hisses Halley.
“Shhh Halley,” says Boomer. “You heard what mom said.”
Edna continues. “The way I look at it, anything we make in this kitchen is a collection of ingredients. If we blend the right ones together we whip up something really delightful.”
Ray starts to smile. “Like a birthday cake?”
Edna laughs. “Now you’re getting it. We’re going to have a birthday party right here next week for you and your friends.”
Ray hugs Boomer and pets Halley. “Did you hear that guys? We’re going to have a party!”
First Things First
Edna walks over and opens the refridgerator. “But before that I’ve got something else in mind.”
Ray looks confused. “Like what?”
Edna rummages around and starts grabbing different foods off of shelves and out of bins.
“We need to come up something that’s needed right now. I’m calling it a ‘A Recipe For Calm.'”
“What’s that?” asks Ray.
Edna looks at the foods she’s assembled. “On this cold January afternoon I think we rustle up some hot chicken soup. It’s warm and comforting. We’ll make enough so you can take some home for your mom. That way she won’t have to worry about making dinner. How does that sound?”
Ray hugs Edna as hard as he can. “Thank you. That’s really kind.”
“You are most welcome. I think we can all use a heaping helping of calm right about now.”
And that’s where we leave this story. Ray helps chop vegetables and Edna makes the soup stock. And for now all is peaceful in Edna’s Kitchen in the small Southern town of Shady Pines.