Six-year old Sam talks about her friend Maria and her family
On holiday mornings, one of my roles as Uncle Jim living next door to six-year-old Sam and her 12-year old brother, Paul, is to make homemade cinnamon rolls. I prepare the dough the day before and Sam comes over to help me. Once they are done Sam and I each have one roll - I with coffee and Sam with milk. She then takes the basket of rolls to share with her parents and her brother. I suspect Oscar the dog manages to look appropriately pathetic enough to be given at least one roll.
I am writing this on Thursday morning, Thanksgiving, 2015 in the United States. On Wednesday while I was baking the pies and making up dinner roll dough which I will take for my contribution to dinner with Sam, Paul and their parents today, I also make up the dough for the cinnamon rolls. I use the same recipe my grandmother used which is just the basic roll dough which one can let rise in the refrigerator. It can be found in the old Better Homes and Garden Cookbook.
I look out the window and see Sam headed over. There is a slight chill in the air and she has worn her mom’s big sweater which hangs below her knees while the sleeves double as gloves.
Me: Good morning Sam. How are you?
Sam: Brrrr… I was cold but this sweater makes me as warm as Oscar.
(Oscar is their dog.)
Me: You do look a little like Oscar this morning.
Sam giggles
Me: Are you ready to make the rolls Sam?
Sam: Oh, yes, Uncle Jim.
Me: (I had already set up the pastry sheet and set out the rolling pin). How about we take your sweater off. I think you will be warm enough since the oven has been on for a little while now. (I help Sam take the sweater off. Sam then climbs up on the stool she always uses when we cook. Then I tie her special apron on her.)
You want to take the dough out of the bowl Sam?
Sam: Yes, it is trying to escape the bowl Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes. You remember that is the yeast which makes it grow so much.
Sam: What if we put twice as much yeast in it Uncle Jim? Would it grow this big (spreads her arms wide)?
Me: Perhaps not that big. Here is the melted butter. You can add two teaspoons of cinnamon to the butter. Okay?
Sam: Yes. What is next Uncle Jim?
Me: Well I think we need ¼ cup of sugar Sam. Do you remember how many of these it takes to make a cup Sam.
Sam: Uncle Jim! That is easy. It is ¼ and so it takes four to make a cup.
Me: Very good Sam. Now, you can take this little tool we call a whisk and stir the butter and cinnamon together.
Sam: (Stirring) Oops. Some jumped out of the bowl Uncle Jim!
Me: That is fine. It is hard to stir in that bowl. Next time we will use a bowl it cannot jump out of.
Sam: Oh uncle Jim, I know it does not really jump. I am six!
Me: I know. You are doing a really good job. Let that sit for a minutes and we can begin to roll out the dough.
Sam: I like this part but it too hard at first.
I take out the dough and make sure to cover both sides with flour which I have already put on the pastry sheet. I then begin to roll out the dough until it is almost the thickness we need.
Okay Sam, I am tired. You better do the rest of the rolling of the dough.
Sam: Okay Uncle Jim. Will I get as tired as you when I am as old as you?
Me: Probably. That is really good Sam. Now let’s spread the butter, cinnamon and sugar mixture. Here is a scraper for you to help spread it.
Sam: It already smells good Uncle Jim.
Me: That is great. I think we are ready to roll up the dough Sam. You take that end and I will take this end. (Together we roll up the dough and I pinch it together.) That is great. I am going to cut it into individual rolls with this big knife. You can put each roll into the pan which I have already greased.
Sam fills two pans and then we spread the dish towel I have dampened over the tops and set them on top of the stove which is just a little warm because of having the oven on.
Me: They will have to rise for a little while.
Sam: (Suddenly looks sad.) Can I ask you something Uncle Jim?
Me: Of course you can Sam. What do you want to ask?
Sam: Well, I was talking to my new friend, Maria, who is now living in the house on the corner. You met her Uncle Jim.
Me: Oh yes. She is really nice. She and her family are from Mexico.
Sam: Yes. Maria said her cousin, Sofia, who is my age, got arrested trying to come visit she and her family. How could someone my age get arrested Uncle Jim?
Me: I was just reading about that Sam. Apparently there are a lot of very young children who try to cross the border between here and Mexico.
Sam: Border?
Me: Yes. It is like a line Sam. Instead of Mexico being a state like New Mexico or Arizona which are next to Colorado where we live, it is a country. You and I were born in this country which is called the United States. We can live here but if we had been born in Mexico or other country, we would need permission to visit and then we could not stay.
Sam: Maria gets to stay right.
Me: Well, as I understand it, her parents currently have permission to work in this country and she can be with them. Fortunately her parents are making pretty good money and can take care of her.
Sam: But where are Sofia’s parents? Mom and dad would not let me go to Mexico by myself and get arrested.
Me: No your parents, like Maria’s parents, have jobs and can afford to buy food and take good care of you. If they needed help grandma, grandpa, mamma, pop pop, Uncle John, and I would help. We would all help each other. You and Paul will never have to be out on your own. Maria’s cousin, Sofia’s parents, have no money and no food. Sometimes children die because they have no food.
Sam: Does that happen in this country.
Me: Yes, Sam, although we do not keep track of how many people in this country die because they have no food. If we look at hunger in the United States, it is thought that 49 million people are “food insecure” and 17.5 million of those are children. They are said to live in food insecure homes.
Sam: Food insecure?
Me: Yes, that is a confusing term, isn’t it Sam? That means that they are hungry but not starving. They may have some food but not enough healthy food.
Sam: We have lots of food Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, we do. That is why your parents take you and Paul to help out and donate some of your allowance to the soup kitchen.
Sam: I like doing that. The people there are really nice but sometimes they smell Uncle Jim. Why don’t they take a shower Uncle Jim?
Me: Well, Sam, if you did not have a house at which to live, where would you shower?
Sam: I could shower at your house Uncle Jim!
Me: Yes, but what if you did not have any family who had houses with water to shower?
Sam: I would hate that. Is that what happened with Sofia Uncle Jim?
Me: Yes, even though her parents love her a lot they cannot take care of her. They were hoping she could find her way to this country and someone would take care of her. Instead, she got caught and arrested.
Sam: What will happen to her Uncle Jim?
Oh look, the rolls are rising.
Me: Yes, I think we can put them in the oven. Do you want to set the timer for 25 minutes Sam?
Sam: Yes, Uncle Jim. Is this right.
Me: Yes. Good job Sam.
Sam: Well, what happens to Sofia Uncle Jim?
Me: Well, Sam, some of the children are allowed to stay here. Some are fleeing violence in countries such as Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as well as Mexico. Most will be sent back.
Sam: But if Sofia goes back her family, they still will not have any food will they?
Me: Probably not Sam. That is very sad isn’t it.
Sam: Is this why we have Thanksgiving Uncle Jim? Are we thankful that we are not hungry like Sofia’s family and the families of all those who do not have enough food?
Me: Yes, but sometimes we say we are thankful but we act like we deserve to have more food than other people.
Sam: One of the kids at school said that the dirty Mexicans are not good.
Me: That makes me sad. Do you think that sometimes we think we are better than the kids like Sofia or all those in this country who are hungry?
Sam: Sometimes I don’t feel grateful when we have peas Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, all of us like some food better than others and it is easy for us to forget that other people are starving.
Sam: Last week when we were helping at the Soup Kitchen, one of the people said they did not like the beans. Someone said that they were ungrateful. I told them I did not like some beans either. Was that wrong of me, Uncle Jim?
Me: No, that was very nice. Sometimes we forget that people who need help are just like us and that we could people the people who need help.
Sam: I am going to eat all my green beans today Uncle Jim. Mom was making a green bean kasrol?
Me: Yes, green bean casserole is a popular holiday dish. Good for you. We will have a lot to be grateful for and we will have to talk about how we can help kids and adults like Sofia when we get together later.
Sam: Uncle Jim. The cinnamon rolls smell really good. Is it wrong for us to have cinnamon rolls and a big dinner later.
Me: That is a great question Sam. No, I do not think it is wrong, but I do think we need to remember that it is a special treat and that we do not deserve any more than anyone else.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Sam: Are they done Uncle Jim?
Me: They sure look done. Let me take them out of the oven.
Sam: Can we have one now Uncle Jim?
Me. In just a minute. They are really hot right now.
Sam: We have to frost them Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, I made up the frosting earlier. It is nice to have it ready to spread when they are hot. Here I will do it so that you do not get burnt.
I spread the frosting on the rolls.
Sam: Can I have milk Uncle Jim?
Me: You sure can.
I take out two rolls and cover the pan with foil to keep the other warm.
Sam: (Begins to eat but slows down to blow on hot roll.) These are yummy Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, they are Sam. I love cooking with you and I love our conversations.
We finished eating and I put rolls in a basket in which I have placed towels so that she can carry the hot rolls to her house.
Me: I will see you later at dinner Sam. Thanks again.
Sam: Thanks Uncle Jim. (Gives me a big hug.)
Me: You are welcome.
From: Jimmy Pickett [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2015 10:49 AM
To: Becky,Bob and John Michael Palfy Johnen
Subject: blog draft
Six-year old Sam talks about her friend Maria and her family
One of my roles as Uncle Jim living next door to six-year old Sam and her 12-year old brother, Paul on holiday mornings is to make home made cinnamon rolls. I prepare the dough the day before and Sam comes over to help me. Once they are done Sam and I each have one roll - I with coffee and Sam with milk. She then takes the basket of rolls to share with her parents and her brother. I suspect Oscar the dog manages to look appropriately pathetic enough to be given at least one roll.
I am writing this on Thursday morning, Thanksgiving, 2015 in the United States. On Wednesday while I was baking the pies and making up dinner roll dough which I will take for my contribution to dinner with Sam, Paul and their parents today. I also make up the dough for the cinnamon rolls. I use the same recipe my grandmother used is just the basic roll dough which one can let rise in the refrigerator. It can be found in the old Better Homes and Garden Cookbook.
I look out the window and see Sam headed over. There is a slight chill in the air and she has worn her mom’s big sweater which hangs below her knees while the sleeves double as gloves.
Me: Good morning Sam. How are you?
Sam: Brrrr… I was cold but this sweater make me as warm as Oscar.
(Oscar is their dog.)
Me: You do look a little like Oscar this morning.
Sam giggles
Me: Are you ready to make the rolls Sam.
Sam: Oh yes Uncle Jim
Me: (I had already set up the pastry sheet and set out the rolling pin). How about we take your sweater off. I think you will be warm enough since the oven has been on for a little while now. (I help Sam take the sweater off. Sam ten climbs up on the stool she always uses when we cook.. Then I tie her special apron on her.)
You want to take the dough out of the bowl Sam?
Sam: Yes, it is trying to escape the bowl Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes. You remember that is the yeast which makes it grow so much.
Sam: What if we put twice as much yeast in it Uncle Jim. Would it grow this big (spreads her arms wide).
Me: Perhaps not that big. Here is the melted butter. You can add two teaspoons of cinnamon to the butter. Okay?
Sam: Yes. What is next Uncle Jim?
Me: Well I think we need ¼ cup of sugar Sam. Do you remember how many of these it takes to make a cup Sam.
Sam: Uncle Jim! That is easy. It is ¼ and so it takes four to make a cup.
Me: Very good Sam. How, you can take this little tool we call a whisk and stir the butter, and cinnamon together.
Sam: (Stirring) Oops. Some jumped out of the bowl Uncle Jim!
Me: That is fine . It is hard to stir in that bowl. Next time we will use a bowl it cannot jump out of.
Sam: Oh uncle Jim, I know it does not really jump. I am six!
Me: I know. You are doing a really good job. Let that sit for a minutes and we can begin to roll out the dough.
Sam: I like this part but it too hard at first.
I take out the dough and make sure to cover both sides with flour which I have already put on the pastry sheet. I then begin to roll out the dough until it is almost the thickness we need.
Okay Sam, I am tired. You better do the rest of the rolling of the dough.
Sam: Okay Uncle Jim. Will I get as tired as you when I am as old as you?
Me: Probably. That is really good Sam. Now let’s spread the butter, cinnamon and sugar mixture. Here is a scraper for you to help spread it.
Sam: It already smells good Uncle Jim.
Me: That is great. I think we are ready to roll up the dough Sam. You take that end and I will take this end. (Together we roll up the dough and I pinch it together.) That is great. I am going to cut it into individual rolls with this big knife. You can put each roll into the pan which I have already greased.
Sam fills two pans and then we spread the dish towel I have dampened over the tops and set them on top of the stove which is just a little warm because of having the oven on.
Me: They will have to rise for a little while.
Sam: (Suddenly looks sad.) Can I ask you something Uncle Jim.
Me: of course you can Sam. What do you want to ask?
Sam: Well, I was talking to my new friend Maria who is now living in the house on the corner. You met her Uncle Jim.
Me: Oh yes. She is really nice. She and her family are from Mexico.
Sam: Yes. Maria said her cousin, Sofia, who is my age got arrested trying to come visit she and her family. How could someone my age get arrested Uncle Jim.
Me: I was just reading about that Sam. Apparently there are a lot of very young children whose try to cross the border between here and Mexico.
Sam: Border?
Me: Yes. It is like a line Sam. Instead of Mexico being a state like New Mexico or Arizona which are next to Colorado where we live, it is a country. You and I were born in this country which is called the United States. We can live here but if we had been born in Mexico or other country we would need permission to visit and then we could not stay.
Sam: Maria gets to stay right.
Me: Well as I understand it her parents currently have permission to work in this country and she can be with them. Fortunately her parents are making pretty good money and can take care of her.
Sam: But where are Sofia’s parents? Mom and dad would not let me go to Mexico by myself and get arrested.
Me: No your parents, like Maria’s parents have jobs and can afford to buy food and take good care of you. If they needed help grandma, grandpa, mamma, pop pop, Uncle John and I would help. We would all help each other. You and Paul will never have to be out on your own. Maria’s cousin, Sofia’s parents have no money and no food. Sometimes children die because they have no food.
Sam: Does that happen in this country.
Me: Yes, Sam although we do not keep track of how many people in this country die because they have no food, if we look look hunger in the United States it is thought that 49 million people are “food insecure” and 17.5 million of those are children. They are said to live in food insecure homes.
Sam: Food insecure?
Me: Yes, that is a confusing term isn’t it Sam. That means that they are hungry but not starving. They may have some food but not enough healthy food.
Sam: We have lots of food Uncle Jim.
Me: yes, we do. That is why your parents take you and Paul to help out and donate some of your allowance to the soup kitchen.
Sam: I like doing that. The people there are really nice but sometimes they smell Uncle Jim. Why don’t they take a shower Uncle Jim
Me: Well, Sam, if you did not have a house at which to live, where would you shower.
Sam: I could shower at your house Uncle Jim!
Me: yes, but what if you did not have any family who had houses with water to shower?
Sam: I would hate that. Is that what happened with Sofia Uncle Jim?
Me: Yes, even though her parents love her a lot they cannot take care of her. They were hoping she could find her way to this country and someone would take care of her. Instead she got caught and arrested.
Sam: What will happen to her uncle Jim?
Oh look, the rolls are rising.
Me: Yes I think we can put them in the oven. Do you want to set the timer for 25 minutes Sam?
Sam: Yes, Uncle Jim. Is this right.
Me: Yes. Good job Sam.
Sam: Well, what happens to Sofia Uncle Jim?
Me: Well, Sam, some of the children are allowed to stay here. Some are fleeing violence in countries such as Guatemaa, Honduras and El Salavdo as well as Mexico. Most will be sent back.
Sam: But if Sofia goes back her family still will not have any food will they?
Me: Probably not Sam. That is very sad isn’t it.
Sam: Is this why we have Thanksgiving Uncle Jim. Are we thankful that we are not hungry like Sofia’s family and the families of all those who do not have enough food.
Me: yes, but sometimes we say we are thankful but we act like we deserve to have more food than other people.
Sam: One of the kids at school said that the dirty Mexicans are not good.
Me: That makes me sad. Do you think that sometimes we think we are better than the kids like Sofia or all those in this country who are hungry?
Sam: Sometimes I don’t feel grateful when we have peas Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, all of us like some food better than others and it is easy for us to forget that other people are starving.
Sam: Last week when we were helping at the Soup Kitchen one of the people said they did not like the beans. Someone said that they were ungrateful. I told them I did not like some beans either. Was that wrong of me, Uncle Jim.
Me: No, that was very nice. Sometimes we forget that people who need help are just like us and that we could people the people who need help.
Sam: I am going to eat all my green beans today Uncle Jim. Mom was making a green bean kasrol?
Me: Yes, green bean casserole is a popular holiday dish. Good for you. We will have a lot to be grateful for and we will have to talk about how we can help kids and adults like Sofia when we get together later.
Sam: Uncle Jim. The cinnamon rolls smell really good. Is it wrong for us to have cinnamon rolls and a big dinner later.
Me: That I a great question Sam. No, I do not think it is wrong, but I do think we need to remember that it is a special treat which we do not deserve any more than anyone else
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Sam: Are they done Uncle Jim.
Me: They sure look done. Let me take them out of the oven.
Sam: Can we have one now Uncle Jim.
Me. In just a minute. They are really hot right now.
Sam: We have to frost them Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, I made up the frosting earlier. It is nice to have it ready to spread when they are hot. Here I will do it so that you do not get burnt.
I spread the frosting on the rolls.
Sam: Can I have mild Uncle Jim?
Me: You sure can.
I take out two rolls and over the pan with foil to keep the other warm.
Sam: (Begins to eat but slows down to blow on hot row.) These are yummy Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, they are Sam. I love cooking with you and I love our conversations
We finished eating and I put rolls in a basket in which I have placed towels so that she can carry the hot rolls to her house.
Me: I will see you later at dinner Sam. Thanks again.
Sam: Thanks Uncle Jim (give me a big hug).
Me: You are welcome.
Written November 26, 2015
On holiday mornings, one of my roles as Uncle Jim living next door to six-year-old Sam and her 12-year old brother, Paul, is to make homemade cinnamon rolls. I prepare the dough the day before and Sam comes over to help me. Once they are done Sam and I each have one roll - I with coffee and Sam with milk. She then takes the basket of rolls to share with her parents and her brother. I suspect Oscar the dog manages to look appropriately pathetic enough to be given at least one roll.
I am writing this on Thursday morning, Thanksgiving, 2015 in the United States. On Wednesday while I was baking the pies and making up dinner roll dough which I will take for my contribution to dinner with Sam, Paul and their parents today, I also make up the dough for the cinnamon rolls. I use the same recipe my grandmother used which is just the basic roll dough which one can let rise in the refrigerator. It can be found in the old Better Homes and Garden Cookbook.
I look out the window and see Sam headed over. There is a slight chill in the air and she has worn her mom’s big sweater which hangs below her knees while the sleeves double as gloves.
Me: Good morning Sam. How are you?
Sam: Brrrr… I was cold but this sweater makes me as warm as Oscar.
(Oscar is their dog.)
Me: You do look a little like Oscar this morning.
Sam giggles
Me: Are you ready to make the rolls Sam?
Sam: Oh, yes, Uncle Jim.
Me: (I had already set up the pastry sheet and set out the rolling pin). How about we take your sweater off. I think you will be warm enough since the oven has been on for a little while now. (I help Sam take the sweater off. Sam then climbs up on the stool she always uses when we cook. Then I tie her special apron on her.)
You want to take the dough out of the bowl Sam?
Sam: Yes, it is trying to escape the bowl Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes. You remember that is the yeast which makes it grow so much.
Sam: What if we put twice as much yeast in it Uncle Jim? Would it grow this big (spreads her arms wide)?
Me: Perhaps not that big. Here is the melted butter. You can add two teaspoons of cinnamon to the butter. Okay?
Sam: Yes. What is next Uncle Jim?
Me: Well I think we need ¼ cup of sugar Sam. Do you remember how many of these it takes to make a cup Sam.
Sam: Uncle Jim! That is easy. It is ¼ and so it takes four to make a cup.
Me: Very good Sam. Now, you can take this little tool we call a whisk and stir the butter and cinnamon together.
Sam: (Stirring) Oops. Some jumped out of the bowl Uncle Jim!
Me: That is fine. It is hard to stir in that bowl. Next time we will use a bowl it cannot jump out of.
Sam: Oh uncle Jim, I know it does not really jump. I am six!
Me: I know. You are doing a really good job. Let that sit for a minutes and we can begin to roll out the dough.
Sam: I like this part but it too hard at first.
I take out the dough and make sure to cover both sides with flour which I have already put on the pastry sheet. I then begin to roll out the dough until it is almost the thickness we need.
Okay Sam, I am tired. You better do the rest of the rolling of the dough.
Sam: Okay Uncle Jim. Will I get as tired as you when I am as old as you?
Me: Probably. That is really good Sam. Now let’s spread the butter, cinnamon and sugar mixture. Here is a scraper for you to help spread it.
Sam: It already smells good Uncle Jim.
Me: That is great. I think we are ready to roll up the dough Sam. You take that end and I will take this end. (Together we roll up the dough and I pinch it together.) That is great. I am going to cut it into individual rolls with this big knife. You can put each roll into the pan which I have already greased.
Sam fills two pans and then we spread the dish towel I have dampened over the tops and set them on top of the stove which is just a little warm because of having the oven on.
Me: They will have to rise for a little while.
Sam: (Suddenly looks sad.) Can I ask you something Uncle Jim?
Me: Of course you can Sam. What do you want to ask?
Sam: Well, I was talking to my new friend, Maria, who is now living in the house on the corner. You met her Uncle Jim.
Me: Oh yes. She is really nice. She and her family are from Mexico.
Sam: Yes. Maria said her cousin, Sofia, who is my age, got arrested trying to come visit she and her family. How could someone my age get arrested Uncle Jim?
Me: I was just reading about that Sam. Apparently there are a lot of very young children who try to cross the border between here and Mexico.
Sam: Border?
Me: Yes. It is like a line Sam. Instead of Mexico being a state like New Mexico or Arizona which are next to Colorado where we live, it is a country. You and I were born in this country which is called the United States. We can live here but if we had been born in Mexico or other country, we would need permission to visit and then we could not stay.
Sam: Maria gets to stay right.
Me: Well, as I understand it, her parents currently have permission to work in this country and she can be with them. Fortunately her parents are making pretty good money and can take care of her.
Sam: But where are Sofia’s parents? Mom and dad would not let me go to Mexico by myself and get arrested.
Me: No your parents, like Maria’s parents, have jobs and can afford to buy food and take good care of you. If they needed help grandma, grandpa, mamma, pop pop, Uncle John, and I would help. We would all help each other. You and Paul will never have to be out on your own. Maria’s cousin, Sofia’s parents, have no money and no food. Sometimes children die because they have no food.
Sam: Does that happen in this country.
Me: Yes, Sam, although we do not keep track of how many people in this country die because they have no food. If we look at hunger in the United States, it is thought that 49 million people are “food insecure” and 17.5 million of those are children. They are said to live in food insecure homes.
Sam: Food insecure?
Me: Yes, that is a confusing term, isn’t it Sam? That means that they are hungry but not starving. They may have some food but not enough healthy food.
Sam: We have lots of food Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, we do. That is why your parents take you and Paul to help out and donate some of your allowance to the soup kitchen.
Sam: I like doing that. The people there are really nice but sometimes they smell Uncle Jim. Why don’t they take a shower Uncle Jim?
Me: Well, Sam, if you did not have a house at which to live, where would you shower?
Sam: I could shower at your house Uncle Jim!
Me: Yes, but what if you did not have any family who had houses with water to shower?
Sam: I would hate that. Is that what happened with Sofia Uncle Jim?
Me: Yes, even though her parents love her a lot they cannot take care of her. They were hoping she could find her way to this country and someone would take care of her. Instead, she got caught and arrested.
Sam: What will happen to her Uncle Jim?
Oh look, the rolls are rising.
Me: Yes, I think we can put them in the oven. Do you want to set the timer for 25 minutes Sam?
Sam: Yes, Uncle Jim. Is this right.
Me: Yes. Good job Sam.
Sam: Well, what happens to Sofia Uncle Jim?
Me: Well, Sam, some of the children are allowed to stay here. Some are fleeing violence in countries such as Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as well as Mexico. Most will be sent back.
Sam: But if Sofia goes back her family, they still will not have any food will they?
Me: Probably not Sam. That is very sad isn’t it.
Sam: Is this why we have Thanksgiving Uncle Jim? Are we thankful that we are not hungry like Sofia’s family and the families of all those who do not have enough food?
Me: Yes, but sometimes we say we are thankful but we act like we deserve to have more food than other people.
Sam: One of the kids at school said that the dirty Mexicans are not good.
Me: That makes me sad. Do you think that sometimes we think we are better than the kids like Sofia or all those in this country who are hungry?
Sam: Sometimes I don’t feel grateful when we have peas Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, all of us like some food better than others and it is easy for us to forget that other people are starving.
Sam: Last week when we were helping at the Soup Kitchen, one of the people said they did not like the beans. Someone said that they were ungrateful. I told them I did not like some beans either. Was that wrong of me, Uncle Jim?
Me: No, that was very nice. Sometimes we forget that people who need help are just like us and that we could people the people who need help.
Sam: I am going to eat all my green beans today Uncle Jim. Mom was making a green bean kasrol?
Me: Yes, green bean casserole is a popular holiday dish. Good for you. We will have a lot to be grateful for and we will have to talk about how we can help kids and adults like Sofia when we get together later.
Sam: Uncle Jim. The cinnamon rolls smell really good. Is it wrong for us to have cinnamon rolls and a big dinner later.
Me: That is a great question Sam. No, I do not think it is wrong, but I do think we need to remember that it is a special treat and that we do not deserve any more than anyone else.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Sam: Are they done Uncle Jim?
Me: They sure look done. Let me take them out of the oven.
Sam: Can we have one now Uncle Jim?
Me. In just a minute. They are really hot right now.
Sam: We have to frost them Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, I made up the frosting earlier. It is nice to have it ready to spread when they are hot. Here I will do it so that you do not get burnt.
I spread the frosting on the rolls.
Sam: Can I have milk Uncle Jim?
Me: You sure can.
I take out two rolls and cover the pan with foil to keep the other warm.
Sam: (Begins to eat but slows down to blow on hot roll.) These are yummy Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, they are Sam. I love cooking with you and I love our conversations.
We finished eating and I put rolls in a basket in which I have placed towels so that she can carry the hot rolls to her house.
Me: I will see you later at dinner Sam. Thanks again.
Sam: Thanks Uncle Jim. (Gives me a big hug.)
Me: You are welcome.
From: Jimmy Pickett [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2015 10:49 AM
To: Becky,Bob and John Michael Palfy Johnen
Subject: blog draft
Six-year old Sam talks about her friend Maria and her family
One of my roles as Uncle Jim living next door to six-year old Sam and her 12-year old brother, Paul on holiday mornings is to make home made cinnamon rolls. I prepare the dough the day before and Sam comes over to help me. Once they are done Sam and I each have one roll - I with coffee and Sam with milk. She then takes the basket of rolls to share with her parents and her brother. I suspect Oscar the dog manages to look appropriately pathetic enough to be given at least one roll.
I am writing this on Thursday morning, Thanksgiving, 2015 in the United States. On Wednesday while I was baking the pies and making up dinner roll dough which I will take for my contribution to dinner with Sam, Paul and their parents today. I also make up the dough for the cinnamon rolls. I use the same recipe my grandmother used is just the basic roll dough which one can let rise in the refrigerator. It can be found in the old Better Homes and Garden Cookbook.
I look out the window and see Sam headed over. There is a slight chill in the air and she has worn her mom’s big sweater which hangs below her knees while the sleeves double as gloves.
Me: Good morning Sam. How are you?
Sam: Brrrr… I was cold but this sweater make me as warm as Oscar.
(Oscar is their dog.)
Me: You do look a little like Oscar this morning.
Sam giggles
Me: Are you ready to make the rolls Sam.
Sam: Oh yes Uncle Jim
Me: (I had already set up the pastry sheet and set out the rolling pin). How about we take your sweater off. I think you will be warm enough since the oven has been on for a little while now. (I help Sam take the sweater off. Sam ten climbs up on the stool she always uses when we cook.. Then I tie her special apron on her.)
You want to take the dough out of the bowl Sam?
Sam: Yes, it is trying to escape the bowl Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes. You remember that is the yeast which makes it grow so much.
Sam: What if we put twice as much yeast in it Uncle Jim. Would it grow this big (spreads her arms wide).
Me: Perhaps not that big. Here is the melted butter. You can add two teaspoons of cinnamon to the butter. Okay?
Sam: Yes. What is next Uncle Jim?
Me: Well I think we need ¼ cup of sugar Sam. Do you remember how many of these it takes to make a cup Sam.
Sam: Uncle Jim! That is easy. It is ¼ and so it takes four to make a cup.
Me: Very good Sam. How, you can take this little tool we call a whisk and stir the butter, and cinnamon together.
Sam: (Stirring) Oops. Some jumped out of the bowl Uncle Jim!
Me: That is fine . It is hard to stir in that bowl. Next time we will use a bowl it cannot jump out of.
Sam: Oh uncle Jim, I know it does not really jump. I am six!
Me: I know. You are doing a really good job. Let that sit for a minutes and we can begin to roll out the dough.
Sam: I like this part but it too hard at first.
I take out the dough and make sure to cover both sides with flour which I have already put on the pastry sheet. I then begin to roll out the dough until it is almost the thickness we need.
Okay Sam, I am tired. You better do the rest of the rolling of the dough.
Sam: Okay Uncle Jim. Will I get as tired as you when I am as old as you?
Me: Probably. That is really good Sam. Now let’s spread the butter, cinnamon and sugar mixture. Here is a scraper for you to help spread it.
Sam: It already smells good Uncle Jim.
Me: That is great. I think we are ready to roll up the dough Sam. You take that end and I will take this end. (Together we roll up the dough and I pinch it together.) That is great. I am going to cut it into individual rolls with this big knife. You can put each roll into the pan which I have already greased.
Sam fills two pans and then we spread the dish towel I have dampened over the tops and set them on top of the stove which is just a little warm because of having the oven on.
Me: They will have to rise for a little while.
Sam: (Suddenly looks sad.) Can I ask you something Uncle Jim.
Me: of course you can Sam. What do you want to ask?
Sam: Well, I was talking to my new friend Maria who is now living in the house on the corner. You met her Uncle Jim.
Me: Oh yes. She is really nice. She and her family are from Mexico.
Sam: Yes. Maria said her cousin, Sofia, who is my age got arrested trying to come visit she and her family. How could someone my age get arrested Uncle Jim.
Me: I was just reading about that Sam. Apparently there are a lot of very young children whose try to cross the border between here and Mexico.
Sam: Border?
Me: Yes. It is like a line Sam. Instead of Mexico being a state like New Mexico or Arizona which are next to Colorado where we live, it is a country. You and I were born in this country which is called the United States. We can live here but if we had been born in Mexico or other country we would need permission to visit and then we could not stay.
Sam: Maria gets to stay right.
Me: Well as I understand it her parents currently have permission to work in this country and she can be with them. Fortunately her parents are making pretty good money and can take care of her.
Sam: But where are Sofia’s parents? Mom and dad would not let me go to Mexico by myself and get arrested.
Me: No your parents, like Maria’s parents have jobs and can afford to buy food and take good care of you. If they needed help grandma, grandpa, mamma, pop pop, Uncle John and I would help. We would all help each other. You and Paul will never have to be out on your own. Maria’s cousin, Sofia’s parents have no money and no food. Sometimes children die because they have no food.
Sam: Does that happen in this country.
Me: Yes, Sam although we do not keep track of how many people in this country die because they have no food, if we look look hunger in the United States it is thought that 49 million people are “food insecure” and 17.5 million of those are children. They are said to live in food insecure homes.
Sam: Food insecure?
Me: Yes, that is a confusing term isn’t it Sam. That means that they are hungry but not starving. They may have some food but not enough healthy food.
Sam: We have lots of food Uncle Jim.
Me: yes, we do. That is why your parents take you and Paul to help out and donate some of your allowance to the soup kitchen.
Sam: I like doing that. The people there are really nice but sometimes they smell Uncle Jim. Why don’t they take a shower Uncle Jim
Me: Well, Sam, if you did not have a house at which to live, where would you shower.
Sam: I could shower at your house Uncle Jim!
Me: yes, but what if you did not have any family who had houses with water to shower?
Sam: I would hate that. Is that what happened with Sofia Uncle Jim?
Me: Yes, even though her parents love her a lot they cannot take care of her. They were hoping she could find her way to this country and someone would take care of her. Instead she got caught and arrested.
Sam: What will happen to her uncle Jim?
Oh look, the rolls are rising.
Me: Yes I think we can put them in the oven. Do you want to set the timer for 25 minutes Sam?
Sam: Yes, Uncle Jim. Is this right.
Me: Yes. Good job Sam.
Sam: Well, what happens to Sofia Uncle Jim?
Me: Well, Sam, some of the children are allowed to stay here. Some are fleeing violence in countries such as Guatemaa, Honduras and El Salavdo as well as Mexico. Most will be sent back.
Sam: But if Sofia goes back her family still will not have any food will they?
Me: Probably not Sam. That is very sad isn’t it.
Sam: Is this why we have Thanksgiving Uncle Jim. Are we thankful that we are not hungry like Sofia’s family and the families of all those who do not have enough food.
Me: yes, but sometimes we say we are thankful but we act like we deserve to have more food than other people.
Sam: One of the kids at school said that the dirty Mexicans are not good.
Me: That makes me sad. Do you think that sometimes we think we are better than the kids like Sofia or all those in this country who are hungry?
Sam: Sometimes I don’t feel grateful when we have peas Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, all of us like some food better than others and it is easy for us to forget that other people are starving.
Sam: Last week when we were helping at the Soup Kitchen one of the people said they did not like the beans. Someone said that they were ungrateful. I told them I did not like some beans either. Was that wrong of me, Uncle Jim.
Me: No, that was very nice. Sometimes we forget that people who need help are just like us and that we could people the people who need help.
Sam: I am going to eat all my green beans today Uncle Jim. Mom was making a green bean kasrol?
Me: Yes, green bean casserole is a popular holiday dish. Good for you. We will have a lot to be grateful for and we will have to talk about how we can help kids and adults like Sofia when we get together later.
Sam: Uncle Jim. The cinnamon rolls smell really good. Is it wrong for us to have cinnamon rolls and a big dinner later.
Me: That I a great question Sam. No, I do not think it is wrong, but I do think we need to remember that it is a special treat which we do not deserve any more than anyone else
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Sam: Are they done Uncle Jim.
Me: They sure look done. Let me take them out of the oven.
Sam: Can we have one now Uncle Jim.
Me. In just a minute. They are really hot right now.
Sam: We have to frost them Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, I made up the frosting earlier. It is nice to have it ready to spread when they are hot. Here I will do it so that you do not get burnt.
I spread the frosting on the rolls.
Sam: Can I have mild Uncle Jim?
Me: You sure can.
I take out two rolls and over the pan with foil to keep the other warm.
Sam: (Begins to eat but slows down to blow on hot row.) These are yummy Uncle Jim.
Me: Yes, they are Sam. I love cooking with you and I love our conversations
We finished eating and I put rolls in a basket in which I have placed towels so that she can carry the hot rolls to her house.
Me: I will see you later at dinner Sam. Thanks again.
Sam: Thanks Uncle Jim (give me a big hug).
Me: You are welcome.
Written November 26, 2015
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