About the time you get to thinking that it’s really a cold, cruel, uncaring world out there, something nice happens. And then – and then – your faith in mankind or womankind is instantly restored, and you’re skipping along with a happy heart once again.
Here’s one of those uplifting instances, and it started with a plea from Becky Janecke of Lynnwood.
After an exhaustive but fruitless search on her own for a certain cookbook for her jewel of a husband, she asked for our help, explaining, “It’s the only one he will use (and he does our shopping and all our cooking), but his copy is completely falling apart.”
Becky supplied us with the correct name, color of the right cookbook cover, plus the copyright dates. And then a miracle happened. Forum cooks didn’t wait on this one. No, sirree, Bob, they didn’t. They rushed to offer their help.
For one, Marysville reader Beverly Mack immediately e-mailed, “My 94-year-old mother just called to tell me she has the book. She would be happy to give it to Becky Janecke for her husband.”
Now we hear from Becky, “We have gratefully accepted the cookbook from Bev Mack’s mother. I didn’t realize we were as well known in the area as we are. I received 23 phone calls and numerous e-mails and even had a cookbook dropped at our front door. Unfortunately, none of them were the exact ‘right’ one. But now we have the one sent by Bev Mack from her mother.
“I was surprised and delighted at how many men called that had read your Forum article. There are a lot of closet chefs out there, it seems. Thank you so much! We now have a happy kitchen once again.”
In addition to Bev Mack and her mother, and the calls, e-mails and book dropoff Becky mentioned and thanks you all for, thanks are also due the following willing Forum cookbook sharers.
Bertha Holeman of Snohomish wrote, “I have a “Good Housekeeping Cook Book’ that I never have used. If that family would like it, I would be happy to give it to them.”
Edmonds cook Beverley Petek said, “I have the cookbook Becky Janecke is looking for. The cookbook is in very good condition, and I am more than happy to just give it to her and her husband for free.”
Thanks also go to Sally Rush, who had planned to sell her mother’s copy on e-bay, and to longtime Forum helper-outer Marj Mansholt of North Lakewood, who told us, “My “Good Housekeeping Cook Book’ has the same problem as Becky Janecke’s husband’s all-time favorite. It has loose pages – tattered edges – cover and back torn away – but I know the feeling. If he needs a special recipe from the book, I will share the recipe, but I won’t part with the book!”
The Forum is always happy to receive your contributions and requests, so send them along to Judyrae Kruse at the Forum, c/o The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
Please remember that all letters and all e-mail must include a name, complete address with ZIP code and telephone number with area code. No exceptions and sorry, but no response to e-mail by return e-mail; send to kruse@heraldnet.com.
The next Forum will appear in Monday’s Time Out section.
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