Before those without culinary inclinations prevail, let me share a tale of greens. Several years ago my sister, Patty, who lives outside Detroit, was called to serve on the jury in Detroit. A fellow juror introduced herself as Martha Reeves. When the judge gasped, she said, "Yes, Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas". Patty was delighted. After the first session, they talked as they waited for their rides home. Martha's never came, and Patty & Mario drove her home. Martha and Patty chatted the whole way there, and became fast friends. Some months later, after many meetings for lunch and other events, Patty spent the day at Martha's apartment. It was the first time she had grits (not instant) for breakfast, but what fascinated was the Greens with lunch. I asked for the recipe, and was astonished that Martha used smoked turkey necks instead of a pork product. She also added an array of herbs. Patty didn't know which greens they were, even tho Martha tried to educate her in the variety of Greens to be chosen. Martha came from Alabama. Her family settled in Detroit when she was a girl. She, of course, went to Motown and became a hit (it's all in her autobiography). Patty and Martha are still good friends. Martha has been to Patty's granddaughter birthday parties (sang Christmas Carols with Libby in the summer), and sang for the guests at Aimee's wedding. Patty has been there with Martha at many interesting meetings and was part of her campaign for City Council, and was in the newspaper picture of Martha's staff - the only white person there. But those greens, with smoked turkey necks, still fascinates me. Is that an Alabama thing? Or What? Anne Anne Pemberton [log in to unmask] http://www.erols.com/stevepem http://www.erols.com/apembert http://www.educationalsynthesis.org To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html