Palmer's Pleasant Little Pellets
by Ruth Lundy Palmer
To say I was a good cook would be a total exaggeration! To say I was always trying would be correct. However, the only thing I could guarantee cooking without burning was water, and then only if the pan did not go dry.
Somewhere out of my not-so-distant past came a recipe provided by my sister, Yvonne. I did become quite good at making pies. I did not know exactly how or why, but who was I to question good luck?
One day, I had a yearning for one of mama's fantastically flaky biscuits. It would not be too difficult, I thought. I'd seen her make them many times. Mix just so, roll the dough just so; I convinced myself it could be done.
My dream of flaky biscuits disappeared when I took those rocks from the oven! But I was not one to destroy my creation. The problem was with husband, Bob. Alas and alack, he did not appreciate my efforts, and called my biscuits "Palmer's Pleasant Little Pellets."
I was devastated.
No problem, I thought. Tomorrow is another day, and I was sure that eventually I could produce the desired results.
After many trials, I gave up. Then, one day I was listening to the radio and heard that Mrs. So-and-so loved her Lysol soap because it was so sweet smelling and clean. I began to wonder just who Mrs. So-and-so was, and if she was indeed a real missus. That day, I became a letter-writer.
Writing to the Bisquick Company, I related how my
husband had called my biscuits "Palmer's Pleasant Little Pellets"
until I
tried Bisquick! My letter duly posted, I forgot about it until one day, a
return letter came.
"Enclosed, pleas find our release form. This must be signed and dated in order for us to use your letter about 'Palmer's Pleasant Little Pellets' in our advertisements."
It had happened! My faith in mankind was renewed and embellished. Mrs. So-and-so was real! And now I would be a radio star advertising Bisquick. Or so I thought, until I realized that the role would probably be filled by a professional actress. So I did not become a radio star, but they did send along a large size box of Bisquick.
But that's not the end of the story. During the Second World War, there were many products that were unavailable or only available with a ration stamp: Meat, sugar, and shoes all required this authorization for purchase, along with other things, like gasoline. All during the war years, I received a regular shipment of Bisquick. My cupboard was well stocked although it was not available in stores.
It was not until we moved, that the shipments failed to arrive on schedule. I wonder if someone in the post office at Parma is still receiving MY Bisquick?
