So--

Adam's in the Garden of Eden and he goes to
God and says: "I'm lonely. I need a companion."

"I've got something called a 'woman'"

"What's that?"

"Well, she'll bring you coffee in bed every morning, greet you at the door every
night all dolled up. She'll rub your shoulders while you tell her all about
your day. Then you'll sit right down to one of your favorite supper. And then
she'll hop right up and do the dishes. Then she'll bring you your slippers and
the paper and sit at your feet, looking up at you with sheer
adoration, hanging on your every word."

"Oh, my! That sounds expensive. What's something like that gonna cost me?"

"One arm and one leg," says God.

"Well, uh, what could I get for one rib?"

~&~&~&~&~&~&

File this pie under "Y" for "Yee doggies, this is so-o good." My boss Pam took
a nibble and then ate it right down, in about eight bites, with her fingers. My
vet called to get the recipe for his wife.

Apple-Rhubarb Custard Pie

one-crust pie crust (your favorite recipe or a boxed pie crust mix)
2 cups unpeeled, tender rhubarb, cut into 1/2 inch lengths
5 good quality apples, sliced
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup flour
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 tsp. lemon juice
dash of salt
2 Tbl. real butter
1 Tbl. sugar
generous sprinkling of apple pie spice

Prepare crust and spread out into a nine-inch pie pan. Preheat oven to 450
degrees. Slice rhubarb and apples into the pie crust. Mix well. In a mixing
bowl, mix sugar, flour, eggs, lemon juice, and salt. Pour this mixture over the
fruit. You do not stir it in--it settles into the fruit during baking. Dot
with butter, sprinkle with sugar and the apple pie spice.

Bake at 450 degrees for ten minutes. Lower the heat to 350 degrees and bake an
additional 30 minutes, or until the apples have fully surrendered.

(Adapted from "Kitchen Favorites of the Aid Association for Lutherans," 1989.

*****

It's been a big week, full of good news. My university, Saint Ambrose
University, has agreed that I may graduate on Mother's Day, May 9th, with my
MBA. Here's the kicker--my daughter Sarah graduates the day before about four
hours away, with her Bachelor's of Sociology. Two big, big happy days, back to
back. I got her a little gold "coach clock" for her graduation present. And a
1920's pink depression glass bowl with dogwood blossoms etched into the pattern.