In case I forgot to mention it in previous posts, I actually
do have the best mother in the world.
Despite the fact that she and my father used Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care book, (Remember the
controversy over that one?), my childhood was thankfully “normal.” In many ways, my mother was ahead of
the curve with the ways in which she stimulated our little developing
brains. We probably watched too
much TV, but then again, how much television could you watch with only three
channels: 3, 6 & 10? When
channel 12 went on the air, it was like we hit the lottery.
Mom took care of the “book learning” department, and
encouraged us to read, write, and be creative. She certainly set the example, always writing, serving as a correspondent for The Pottstown Mercury for more than thirty years. She was always reading a book. Unfortunately, her ability in the area of music, (she was an accompanist at Parker Ford Church for almost sixty years), did not rub off on us. Dad was into a myriad of other interests, including sports,
hunting & fishing, and things like woodworking, ham radio, and photography
(he had his own darkroom). They
complemented each other perfectly.
I’m not sure how many people can say they never heard their parents
argue, but I’m one of them. (My
own kids can’t make that claim.)
Mom is the oldest of four sisters whose parents died in
their forties. My mother was just
out of high school. The youngest, Frankie, was in eighth grade. My mother became the breadwinner for
the sisters and they had a chaperone of sorts move in with them. Needless to say, the Kugler sisters are
very close. My mother has been a
consistent diary writer and I’ve read some accounts about my dad coming on the
scene, initially helping with mowing the grass and fixing things for the
sisters. I like knowing that about
my dad.
In recent years, Mom has experienced some TIA’s, or
“mini-strokes” as they are called.
Fortunately, it has only affected her
short-term memory, and Mom can function almost normally otherwise. She just can’t remember what we just
talked about, or what she came to the kitchen for, or where she put her
glasses. (Sounds like most of us,
doesn’t it?) When the questions she
asks are repeated, I try to answer them like they’re being asked for the very
first time. I do admit that I
sometimes change the answers just to entertain myself.
“What are you doing now that you’re retired?”
“Well, I thought I’d do things that I’ve never done before.”
“That’s nice.”
“Like robbing a bank.”
“Well, I can’t support that!”
She has never lost her sense of humor. She also always has a crossword puzzle
close by, and after reading the front page headlines and the obituaries, completing the
crossword puzzle (in pen!) is next on her agenda.
Thanks for everything, Mom! You really are the best!
In honor of my mother, I’m naming this smoothie recipe for
her. It’s the "Kugler Special."
“Kugler Special” Smoothie
(Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana)
Ingredients:
1 cup milk
4 Tablespoons hot cocoa mix
2 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 medium banana
¾ cup vanilla ice cream
Directions:
Blend the mixture each time you add an ingredient. This cannot be beat! Well, it can be blended…but not
beat! This smoothie is not for the faint of heart. Check out the calorie count:
1 cup milk - 122 calories
4 Tablespoons hot cocoa mix - 140 calories
2 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter - 190 calories
1 medium banana - 200 calories
¾ cup vanilla ice cream - 210 calories
TOTAL - 862 calories
Oh, what the heck. It's Mother's Day! Take your time drinking it,
as it will want to slide down quickly.
Savor the taste!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Enjoy!
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