The View From Mrs. Sundberg's Window

Goose Bumps Just Thinking About It

January 20, 2009

Listened to the show Saturday and it was not bad. It was one of those shows where, if you really give yourself up to it, you find yourself singing along. It was Patty Loveless and "Cold, Cold Heart" this time around — "Why can't I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?" Oh, gosh, that woman can sing. Her voice is so rich and strong, filled with warmth and conviction all at once. Gave me goose bumps right there in the kitchen. People will tell you to put on a sweater, but I say it's all about passion. When you're moved by something you love, when you're stirred deeply, you can do all you can to hide it, but those goose bumps will getcha every time.

I've had goose bumps all week, come to think of it. Of course you're going to tell me it's the weather. Sure, it's been cold, alright. Colder 'n it's been for a long, long time. Cold. Cold, cold. Spit freezin', eye-popping, butt-cheek clenchin', spine-rippin', breathtakin', face-numbin', lung-bitin', toe-snappin', ear-poppin' cold. Really cold. So cold they closed school, for God's sake, so the kids were home five days in a row (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was Monday, and that one was planned). The goose bumps came as they filed out the door Tuesday on their way BACK to school. Was I happy the kids were leaving? Not really. But I was thrilled to bits that I had the kitchen all to myself for a day of cooking and baking while watching the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Pure joy. Goose Bump City.

It's true. Shredded beef simmered all day in beer and ketchup while I made wild rice soup and crème de menthe brownies and cream cheese coffee cake and homemade bread and snack mix and chicken for the next night… and on and on. Hail to the Chief. Those goose bumps returned on and off throughout the day Tuesday, and the next day, too, while I was daydreaming about the icehouse I just might buy for myself. There's one for sale cheap over near the hardware store, and wouldn't it be something to have an icehouse of my own out on the lake? I could put a couple of chairs in there, and a few stadium blankets and a battery-operated radio, and a box of those frosted animal cookies and some Bailey's Irish cr`me and a couple of good books. I'll bet I wouldn't have any trouble talking any one of my friends into spending time out in my icehouse with me. Or I could keep it a secret and just go there on my own late in the afternoon and at long last read that book about mountain climbing the kids got me for Christmas…

I've got goose bumps just thinking about it.

Three Banana Bread
This is my own recipe, perfected after years of imperfect loaves of banana bread. Yet another cause for goose bumps, for sure.

1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

3 bananas

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp lemon juice

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Dash or two of cinnamon

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, lemon juice, and bananas.