The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOW TO PRESERVE A HUSBAND

BE CAREFUL, IN YOUR SELECTION
DO NOT CHOOSE TOO YOUNG
SOME INSIST ON KEEPING THEM IN A PICKLE,
WHILE OTHERS KEEP THEM IN HOT WATER.
THIS ONLY MAKES THEM SOUR, HARD AND
SOMETIMES BITTER.
EVEN POOR VARIETIES MAY BE MADE SWEET,
TENDER AND GOOD BY GARNISHING THEM WITH
PATIENCE, WELL SWEETENED WITH SMILES AND
FLAVORED WITH KISSES TO TASTE.
WRAP THEM IN A MANTLE OF CHARITY,
KEEP WARM WITH A STEADY FIRE OF DOMESTIC
DEVOTION AND SERVE WITH PEACHES AND CREAM.
WHEN THUS PREPARED THEY WILL KEEP FOR YEARS.

Submitter comment: THIS "FAVORITE RECIPE" WAS PASSED FROM THE INFORMANT'S
MOTHER TO THE INFORMANT JUST BEFORE HER WEDDING IN
1952. ORIGIN CIRCA 1926 OR BEFORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RECIPE

James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR ; METAPHOR ; MOCK RECIPE