Yellow Nightmares and Friday Fixins!

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I was behind a school bus this morning at the crack of dawn and it took me too far back...trapped between must and can't. For some of you, this will give you the same flashback. It's one of those "Ramen Noodles" transporters — those words or phrases that immediately conote a completely similar time full of hopes, fears and perceptions. Its a symbol for those magicly shared growing up times that dont even require description when spoken to the right people.

I can remember surviving in college on $20 a week and Ramen Noodles. I couldnt dream of it now. Is it only because I dont have to? Hmmm. It seemed pretty easy too back then. Anyway, on to the Yellow Monster Tales.

HHHRRRRRRRRRRNNNNNNN....HRRRNNNNNN... (tip: sound effects really help tell a story)
It bellowed and wobbled down the gravel road, waking the sun and the neighbors as it cruddled along, missing no potholes. WHEEEZZZST! it would squeak to a stop just before its glass jaws would spring open with a cool gust on a young morning face, terrified of what came next. Its what always came next. Some days were better than others; but most were blahhhhhh. The insistent eyes of the bus driver forced you to take the first step long before you were ready. Your ears could already hear what you would soon come face to face with. The sound of your footsteps echoing inside your mind like lead bricks being dropped on a thin layer of cheap rubber over cold steel as your heartbeat competes to be heard first. You notice the cold bar that helps you steady your climb just before your last private second of clearing the little half-wall before you are "on the runway." It's a tiny little passage you shuffle down. But make no mistake! Whatever is going on is NOT more important than ignoring the person flailing about that doesn't have a seat yet. Nothing is more important than the casual, but intentional verbal pebbles slung your desperate way. Your ears catch them all; your mind and eyes try to ignore everything for that one break of compassion, mercy or maybe even luck that some seat has magicly been preserved just for you. There are no warm fuzzy looks staring back into your eyes; only irritated people as you attempt to stop at every possibility. Finally someone angrily moves their stuff over so you can take a seat...not that the bus has been waiting still all this time; you've been swaying left and right, forward and backward for at least 2 minutes as the jeers crowd into your exhausted and embarrassed mind. But sitting is not the end of the treat......but that's another Yellow Monster Tale...

Its funny now...well, slightly. Was it the red and yellow lights that triggered the memories? The big red stop sign that opens like a greedy coffin? Does it carry over later to police lights? Was it the bright yellow cage sillohetted against the dark morning dawn? Maybe it was the look on the nerdish kid's face I could see even in very little light. I knew what he felt like. I had been him in the past and sometimes him in the future. I knew his oddness would spotlight him once the steps were cleared. I knew the thick glasses and ackward walk would sit him apart from the crowd. Even his sister's beauty would only be a curse. We won't even talk about how it feels being left by the school bus.......

The bus was nearly invisible around the curve ahead by the time I blinked back into the present. Luckily noone else was behind me or a sharp horn would have smacked me back to the future. Oh yeah....the good ole days.

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Oh well...on to something better! Its Friday Fixin's and I LOVE pecans! I can also appreciate a little chocolate. You're gonna love this!


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RECIPE: CHOCOLATE PECAN SQUARES

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INGREDIENTS: Base:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg yolk
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Topping:
3 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup corn syrup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup pecans
1 cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS: Base: Combine butter and egg yolk in a mixing bowl. Add flour and powdered sugar. Press into a greased 8 inch square pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Topping: In a large bowl, beat eggs until slightly foamy. Combine brown sugar, flour, and salt. Stir into the eggs until blended. Beat in the corn syrup and lemon juice. Stir in the pecans and chocolate chips. Spread over the base. Bake at 350 degrees. for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is set and the edges are browned. Cut into squares when cold. Hey don't forget the ice cream! Have a great weekend!

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