Taking My Own Advice

After yesterday's snow (non) storm, during which most of the local television stations had a little freakout and went on full snow coverage, reporting on how to use a snow shovel and how to build a snowman, it seemed a good time to enjoy the roses my gentleman friend had delivered in time to enjoy both before and after Valentines Day. The candy in the heart-shaped box had already been deployed to the sitter part of my anatomy.

Then it seemed a good time to take a dose of my own good advice. You know how I tell writers how much writing can be accomplished in only ten minutes a day? The same ten minutes applies to any task: ten minutes of (gasp) house cleaning, ten minutes of prayer, ten minutes of watering plants. After Christmas I bought a treadmill and told myself just ten minutes a day. The old ten-minute-plan is working. I walk ten minutes, then ten minutes more. So far, I am only up to twenty minutes, but if I follow my advice, maybe I will get up to the half-hour or hour Dr. Vigorous has in mind for me.

What goal did you set for yourself this year? Maybe the ten-minute-plan will work. Give it a try. To help, here is one of my favorite recipes from my favorite cook book, given to me by my mother for Christmas in 1973 -- Southern Living Party Cookbook.

Chocolate-Pecan Meringues

2 egg whites

1/8 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. cream of tartar

3/4 cup sugar

1 (6-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate bits

2/3 cup chopped pecans

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Line cookie sheets with plain white paper. (Parchment paper for baking.) Beat egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar until frothy. Add sugar gradually, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold in chocolate, nuts, and flavoring. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto paper. Bake at 300 degrees about 25 minutes. Remove with sharp spatula. Store in airtight container. Yield: 36: double the recipe for a tea for 40 to 50. (Tea? I doubt it. I'll be snarfing these down as I watch Oprah.)

For new Writing Tip, Writing Prompt, Life Story FAQ, and Fun Stuff for Writers, visit my website: www.angelinyourinkwell.com. To find when and where I will be having classes, click on Calendar.