ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI: NOTHIN' COULD BE FINER THAN FAMILY AND FOOD!

Laughter tickled the trees and merrily tiptoed across the water at Reelfoot Lake on June 26 as five generations gathered for the Turner family reunion. Some 20 years had gone by since I had seen many of my dear cousins, but to my absolute delight, instant recognition was the order of the day.

A myriad of emotions swept through this throng of relatives as we felt the spirits of our beloved ones joining us from Heaven's Crystal Square and embraced the joy of seeing the family resemblance between first and fifth cousins.

My personal thought on life and family is simple. Life is a tapestry with each generation being the thread, and each person being a color -- together they weave the pattern of your life.

What would a reunion be without great food? And great food we had. Six picnic tables loaded to the hilt with Aunt Irene's chicken and dumplings, Uncle Edgar's catfish and hush puppies, Cousin Carol's lasagna, and I make the best homemade pimento cheese spread. Beckoning from the dessert table was Cousin Judy's banana pudding, and anything else that a sweet tooth had ever wished for.

The fun-filled hours evaporated too quickly. Treasured photos were snapped, and the old met the new as we viewed them on a laptop as soon as they were taken. This day was living proof of the proverb -- "God gave us memories, so that we might have roses in December."

Pimento Cheese Spread

2 cups finely shredded Cheddar cheese (reduced fat, if desired)

1/2 cup diced pimento peppers

1 cup cottage cheese (low fat, if desired)

1/4 cup mayonnaise (light, if desired)

1. Place all ingredients in a 2-quart bowl and stir until pimento pepper is evenly distributed.

2. Chill 4 to 6 hours (if cheese spread separates, stir before serving). Serve on bread slices or crackers.

3. Refrigerator leftovers up to 1 week.

Yield: 2 1/2 cups

Angie Holtzhouser is author of Drop Dumplin's and Pan-Fried Memories ... Along the Mississippi. Her cookbook is available at local bookstores. In addition, it can be purchased through the mail at: Drop Dumplin's, P.O. Box 10, Lilbourn, Mo. 63862. The price is $19.95, including tax and shipping.