Raindrops on roses? Popcorn in a pan?

So, how are things at your house? At our house…well, I’ll be honest, it’s been a little different this past 18 months. Advertisers, pinched by the economy, buy smaller ads and run them in fewer of the Our Town areas. Since we plan to stay in business until we retire (and we’re only 52!), that has meant serious belt-tightening. No more writers’ retreats for me. No mountain vacations for the family. No dental cleanings under sedation for the dog. (Okay, that was just crazy. I don’t know how I fell for that). We’ve had to adjust to “a new normal,” as I’ve heard it called. Not horrible, but not fun.

And then there’s been such tragic stuff going on in the world! And, closer to home, some friends and family are having troubles. More and more, I’m finding comfort in simple pleasures. And, like Fraulein Maria in The Sound of Music, I find that naming them makes me less rattled by the rumbles and crashes of life’s storms. Call me Pollyanna, but any silly flower knows enough to turn toward the sun. So, raindrops on roses, anyone? Whick

Morning pleasures: A yawning dog, happy to see me. A freshly washed face. The pleasant scratch of my hairbrush massaging my scalp. Coffee!

Midday pleasures: Stopping computer work for a moment of stretching, rolling my neck, looking out at the trees and the sky. Walking out to the mailbox. Afternoon coffee!

Chilly weather pleasures: Chapstick. Sleeping with three blankets. Holding hands without sticking together. Men in pullover sweaters (a look I’ve always liked!).

Evening pleasures: A few good non-premium-cable TV shows, one of which our 20-year-old son will actually watch with us. Popcorn, popped on the stove instead of in a microwave bag, making that regular week night feel like a party. (Our kids always called this “popcorn-in-a-pan” when they were little. And it doesn’t have to be Orville Redenbacher’s pricey kernels. Brand X pops up just fine.)

Last weekend, Mark and I saw a first-run movie on Saturday night, thanks to a gift card we’d received. Good thing we had each other to lean on, because we almost fainted at the price of the popcorn. That $8 bucket inspired me to remind you of this old method, in case you’re in the same boat we are — adjusting to the new normal, but ready for some simple pleasures.

How to Make Popcorn-in-a-Pan (Eight dollars worth would fill a bathtub!)
1. Choose your pot. Find the lid before you start! Put the pot on the burner and turn the heat up high.
2. Pour a nice puddle of oil to cover the pan’s whole bottom. Don’t hold back. I actually don’t think you can over-oil.
3. Cover the pan bottom with a nice crowded layer of corn.
4. Put the lid on a little bit cock-eyed, so steam will escape but the popping kernels won’t.
5. When it starts popping, shake the pan so that the kernels on the bottom won’t stay in one place and burn.
6. Stop when the popping slows down or the pan is full. Dump it in a big bowl.
7. Salt, melted butter, cajun seasoning…it’s all good.

Have a simple pleasure that’s come in handy during lean times? Why not share it with us at MyOurTown.com? You might find some inspiration in the free events in our Community Notes. And, if you are going to spend money, our nice advertisers would love to hear from you.

As always, thanks for reading Our Town. And now, back to the popcorn!