Burma Shave

 Cattle Crossing
Please Go slow
 That Old Bull
Is Some Cow's Beau

       About the only place we traveled when I was growing up, was to Dad's sister Olie's house outside Dunlap and to my mother's family in Oakland, Il or Terre Houte, In.  Aunt Olie's was a destination of Sunday afternoons and Uncle Jess's or Uncle Russ's was during Caterpillar shut down in July.
       As we traveled south and east down Route 136, a favorite pastime for the family - like the rest of the country -  was reading the iconic advertising of a shaving soap, Burma Shave - five rectangle red  signs with white lettering, one line each of a poem and the fifth sign, the words Burma Shave.
       Before there were interstates and everyone drove on two lane roads, the signs were all along the road at the fence line of a farmer's field.    Most were clever, and fun to read.  Following are some of the actual signs:

Don't Stick Your Elbow
Out So Far
It May Go Home
In Another Car.
Burma Shave

She Kissed The Hairbrush
By Mistake
She Thought It Was
Her Husband Jake
Burma Shave

The Midnight Ride
Of Paul For Beer
Led To A Warmer
Hemisphere
Burma Shave

Around The Curve
Lickety-Split
Beautiful Car
Wasn't It?
Burma Shave

No Matter ThePrice
No Matter How New
The Best Safety Device
In The Car Is You
Burma Shave

Passing School Zone
Take It Slow
Let Our Little
Shavers Grow
Burma Shave

A Man, A Miss
A Kiss, A Curve
He Kissed the Miss
And Missed The Curve
Burma Shave

       The only signs close to that idea that I've seen in the last few years, is along the Interstates, the NRA has some signs about owning guns,  Protest signs around Metamora - for a few years they seemed to be protesting a lot,  and South of Springfield, on I55, a farm had a statue of the Blessed Mother pretty close to the road and then on similar sized white signs in blue lettering on down the highway, the prayer "Hail Mary".  It's been awhile  since I've been that way, so I'm not sure it's still there.
       Burma Shave signs, part of our history.

Marla's Italian Beef

     Some years back I was the chairman for St. Patrick's Women's Guild annual Christmas Bazaar.  We did a little bit of reorganizing.  Neighbor women got together and made things for the Bazaar ( I was in a group with my closest St. Pats neighbors that included Ann Faubel, Louise Kelly and Mary Underwood.  There were about six in the group, I don't remember every one else or what we made, but it was fun getting together) 
     And we also decided to change the menu for the kitchen.  Biscuits and gravy for the morning - a group of guys from the Knights of Columbus helped us with that. Early shoppers really liked them.  I think Bernice Knapp was in charge of the kitchen for that part of the event.  Bernice and I worked in the kitchen together on many parish events including the Washington Day Dinner....but that's another story.  I took over for the lunch portion and made Italian Beef.  I used Marla Jarboe's recipe.  One of the best I've ever had.  It follows:

A five and a half to six pound sirloin tip or rump roast

1 quart water
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 clove garlic
1 bay leaf
1 tsp dried red pepper flakes
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt.

Mix together, bring to a boil and add meat.  Cook in a 350 oven until done (150 degrees on a meat thermometer).  Cool and slice.  Reheat in juice and serve.

I used Kaiser Rolls or Brat rolls buttered with garlic butter and served with pepperoncini.

     This was a favorite at home as well and I served it often when we had guests.  Just had to add a pasta dish and salad.

Enjoy!

Fifth Anniversary

          This picture was taken of Vern when we were dating.  I call it the "Sexy Vern" pose.  The daughters call it the "Fonzie" pose.   When I think of him at this time in our life together, I think of Old Spice and Dentyne gum.  He used both.  Today is the fifth anniversary of the day he died.  I miss him but don't mourn him because I know he's in a better place.


Those we love don't go away.  
They walk beside us every day.
Unseen, unheard, but always near.
Still loved, still missed and very dear.