Some people have never known a stranger. They can talk to anyone at any time and not think anything of it. Others possess more reticence, but overall don’t find it difficult to speak with people. Then there are folks like me who must work to overcome a very shy nature. It is a struggle I have dealt with since I was a small child.
I often think it would be wonderful to be able to overcome shyness. To have no hesitation about speaking to others. To walk into situations full of confidence and not worrying about embarrassing myself. To not have people think I am snobbish because I lack an open nature. To live without wishing I had spoken up when I had a chance to do so.
My parents felt at a loss to know what to do with me. Neither of them had the problem of being bashful. They thought I was acting stubborn. When I was preschool age, my parents had taken my sisters and me shopping one Saturday. We were each allowed to choose a book from the ten-cent selection. However, the one I set my heart on was entitled, “Mimi, the Merry-Go-Round Kitten” and it cost a quarter. I refused to choose another one, and so I had to go without.
Just as we left the store, some acquaintances of my parents walked up. I was sobbing because I didn’t get the book I desired so desperately. After greeting Mom and Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Acuff asked what was the matter with me. My broken heartedness touched their hearts; they were grandparents themselves. With my parents’ permission, they took me into the store and purchased the book for me. I was elated!
Then came the struggle. Up until that point, the Acuffs would ask questions, and all I had to do was nod or shake my head to answer. But now it was time to say, “Thank you,” which Mom and Dad prompted me to do. I tried, I really did. I wanted to thank the wonderful couple who had purchased the book for me. However, I couldn’t get the words to come out. Several proddings later, Mrs. Acuff finally told my parents, “She is saying ‘Thank you’ with her eyes, and that is enough for us.” And I was thankful all over again that an adult understood that I just couldn’t get the words out.
One thing I have never been shy about is sharing recipes. Here are some that include peanuts, since March is National Peanut Month.
Nuts and Bolts
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter or margarine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
10 to 12 ounces thin pretzel sticks
2 cups wheat squares cereal
2 cups corn squares cereal
2 cups Cheerios
1 cup peanuts
Mix butter, sauces, and seasonings together in large microwavable container. Add other ingredients and mix well. Microwave for 2 minutes on high. Stir. Microwave for 2 more minutes on high. Cool and store in an airtight container.
Peanut-Packed Munch Mix
5 cups bite-sized shredded wheat biscuits
1 cup unsalted peanuts
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup mixed dried fruit bits or raisins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan, combine shredded wheat biscuits and peanuts; set aside.
In small saucepan, cook and stir peanut butter, butter, and honey over low heat until mixture is melted. Drizzle over cereal mixture; toss to coat.
Bake for 10 minutes, stirring twice. Cool in pan on wire rack about 10 minutes. Stir in dried fruit bits or raisins. Cool completely.
Barbecued Peanuts
3 cups unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
1/3 cup mesquite smoke-flavored barbecue sauce
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Spread nuts on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Cool completely and store in an airtight container. Yield: about 3 cups of nuts.