My grandmother, the psychic

Grandma, on her 90th birthday in 2010.

Grandma is psychic.  I was going to say a prophet, then I realized that may have religious overtones that just do not apply to this situation.

Back in 2003, when I was in the throes of chiropractic school, and loooong before I met John, my grandmother purchased a book for me as a Christmas present.  It was a cookbook put together as a fundraiser to the troops.

It was called "Deployment Days Cookbook.  Operation Enduring Freedom 2003"  It is a collection of favorite recipes from soldiers and their families.

I was flipping through it the other day, searching for a basic gravy recipe when I found a recipe card with a note from my Grandma.  (actually, it looks like a recipe card, but is really just a 3"x5" card with a picture of a cuckoo clock and the text "Time for a note!")

It reads:
"Dear Jen,
I know you don't have a lot of time for cooking, but some day you will.  I found a lot of old favorites, like Tater Tot casserole, and some new, interesting ones.  Love, Grandma."

"I know you don't have a lot of time for cooking, but some day you will."

Boy, do I ever.

I also found a recipe for "An Army Wife"

1 1/2 C patience
1 lb. courage
1 dash of adventure
2 Tbsp. elbow grease
1 3/4 C Tolerance

Marinate frequently with salty tears.  Pour off excess fat.  Sprinkle ever so lightly with money.  Knead dough until payday.  Season with international spices.  Bake 20 years or until done.  Serve with pride.
To preserve the quality of this recipe, you must add contentment, a little rest, and togetherness.  Put it on the back burner and baste it with a lot of good memories and a life of love.

Awes.

I had packed this book away when I moved from Minnesota to Colorado.  I found it again during John's deployment to Iraq in 2008.  I had NO idea how true everything turned out to be.

Like I said, the lady is a psychic.