Ebbie

Ebbie was short for "Ev-e-lyn." Tall and feisty, wonderfully fun, she was my Great Aunt. She must have been elderly at some point, but I didn't notice. I was too busy sitting at her kitchen stool to whirl around while I chucked down a frosty Coke in a glass bottle, thinking I was on the top of the world, because not only did I have Ebbie to myself, I was watching her work some magic. What did she make in that kitchen of hers, perched on a large lawn with lots of fruit trees? What couldn't she make, would be more like it! That woman had mastered the art of divinity and canning and preserving. Today, however, was CANDY-making day. Joy, oh joy! Now, I didn't know at the time that I was ten that divinity was derived from "divine" but that is what these white confections tasted like when they cooled, that is, IF Ebbie made them. Soft and sweet, they melted in your mouth, until your teeth found the prize - the pecan stuck in the middle, then you had the "crunch" too! It was indeed an art, many had tried and failed wielding their trusty candy thermometer to heat the sugar mixture to just the right consistency. 9 out of 10 times, the divinity was less than divine, just a plain flop, and not good for anything much but throwing out! But, not Ebbie! She was convinced anyone could learn how to do this and she diligently instructed me as I sipped, tasted and whirled. But I am afraid I was too busy eating to pay much attention to recipeing! I left that to Ebbie!