Recipes For Living: What's Your Timeline To Fame?

By Kandy Derden Let’s Go, Do, See Editor

Are you famous? How do you know? Is there a chart somewhere which reveals your rank on the fan-based public recognition meter?

Or, are you nearly famous? Again, how do you know? Is there a scale somewhere to measure your current status and/or the length of time until fame is achieved?

I’m not aware of any such device, although I’ve been told internet search engines continually gather such statistics in their data bases. Therefore, I’m fairly certain access to a simple list could be of great benefit to those who are working toward the specific goal of being famous.

The timeline to fame is different for everybody, probably due to a wide variety of factors. For starters, each individual has different talents and skills, levels of creativity, determination, confidence, desperation and maybe even luck.

It might be beneficial to first ask: How do you define nearly famous? Almost? Local only? Not quite? Still striving? Perhaps these could be markers on the above-mentioned meter.

Do you want to be famous? I’ll admit there is that momentary little burst of joy the first time someone recognizes you and looks at you with an expression of awe. On the flip side, consider all the people who achieved fame and then began to spend a lot of their time avoiding fans and photographers. It even caused them to hide from the very recognition they wanted – at first.

For some, all it takes is time for their popularity to diminish. For others, it can happen quickly if someone else takes over their status as fastest, strongest, biggest, etcetera. Remember, once you are the best at something, there is no place to go, except down.

Consider the story of Walter Ray Williams. He was a horseshoe champion. With time, he had bested all competitors. Knowing there had to be a way to use his skill to continue making a living, he decided to try a similar sport. It didn’t take long for him to become a professional bowler. Making a smart decision and adapting his skill definitely worked well for him. He excelled in his new venture and will forever be remembered for it in the Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Fame. Even though I am not a bowler, this is the only Hall of Fame I’ve had the opportunity to visit. It was more interesting than I expected, perhaps because of the stories such as described above.

One of my many interests is baking and cake decorating. Okay, so I don’t know of any cake baker’s hall of fame, but this is my own personal version of adapting. Years ago, I was given what has become THE perfect chocolate cake recipe. I’ve made if for friends and relatives many, many times, all to rave reviews. Then one day I was asked to make a Red Velvet wedding cake. The two recipes I had were not nearly as good as I had originally thought now that I had this yummy recipe for comparison. To the test kitchen we go. I modified the two original red velvet recipes combined with the chocolate cake recipe.

I am pleased to report, it worked! The result is a Red Velvet Cake worthy of the Love of your Life. Don’t be afraid. It’s easy to make. It’s impressive and perfect for Valentine’s Day. In fact, it’s nearly famous!

Hurry-Up Red Velvet Cake

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

2 tsp. soda

¼ c. cocoa

¼ tsp. salt

1 c. oil

1 c. buttermilk

2 eggs

2 oz. red food color

¾ c. boiling water

1 tsp. vanilla

Sift dry ingredients. Add oil and buttermilk. Blend well. Add eggs and vanilla. Then food color and water last. Bake at 350 degrees for 3040 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.