The View From Mrs. Sundberg's Window

Put a Sock In It

June 2, 2008

Listened to the show Saturday and it was not bad. There were several interruptions throughout —including during the beginning of the monologue—which proved to be a bit frustrating. It was severe weather information, and these storms were humdingers. After last week's devastation the last thing a person ought to do is complain. Lives could be at stake, so put a sock in it.

I do have to confess, however, that I am in possession of a short list of pet peeves, and being interrupted is right up there. There are times when expressing one's thoughts with clarity is a challenge in itself, and an interruption simply frustrates things. Not that what I have to say is overly important. Most of the time, it's just the opposite. But an interruption affirms that, and that's what I don't like. It says, "Yeah, okay, blah blah blah" or "Here's something more important" or "You don't exist and you obviously haven't realized it yet." And yet we interrupt each other all the time. Those survival-instinctive egos of ours just can't take a rest.

What would happen if we made a group move and voted unanimously to never interrupt anyone ever again? What would happen? Would blood pressure skyrocket? Would there be less sex? Would the earth slow its spin to make time for us to hear it all? Lord knows. And Lord also knows I'm guilty of the nasty behavior myself. I ran into a woman just the other day in Aisle 4 at the grocery store, and she felt it necessary to give me a play-by-play of her recent colonoscopy. Apparently there's some new technology out there and she felt obligated to share the info with me, camera angles and all. I was right there with her through the entire procedure. Joy. But when she launched into a comparison with her husband's more medieval experience, I had to cut her off. Thank the Lord I was wearing a watch, which I made a production of looking at. "Oh, gosh, I'm running late. I have to get the kids to the dentist in an hour."

Now that I think about it, there ARE a few valid reasons for interrupting someone. Perhaps the alternative might be worse. A person could lose a large chunk of sanity along the way. Or pop an artery. Or simply go ballistic. Maybe I ought to revise that line on my peeve list to read, "I've got a better story" interruptions" or "Interruptions for totally-unrelated information." The practical ones I must excuse. The ones that rescue us. From details of the colonoscopies of husbands. From impending storms. From losing our very own sanity-loving minds.

About this time of year I like to make the ol' switcheroo from winter to summer desserts. This one, though a bit sloppy, can be just the thing on a hot summer day at a cookout or graduation party. I prefer to serve it after it's been in the fridge awhile. And it's not vital, but a dollop of Cool Whip adds a little something.

Sunny Day Lemon Cake

1 yellow cake mix
2 cups cold milk
1 1/4 cups water
2 packages of Jell-O Instant Pudding, lemon
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 T powdered sugar

Prepare cake batter as directed on package and pour into a
greased 9x13 cake pan. Pour milk and water into a bowl.
Add pudding mixes and granulated sugar. Beat with a whisk
until blended. Pour over the batter. Place pan on a cookie
sheet to catch any spillage as dessert bakes.

Bake at 350 for an hour or until the ol' toothpick inserted in the
middle comes out clean. Cool, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Spoon into small bowls or refrigerate and serve cool.
Serves about 12 or so.

Enjoy!

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