Dear Ann Landers,
his stew keeps extremely well. We've had it in our family for years. Will you please pass the recipe on to your readers? -P.H.P. in Kansas City

Dear P.H.P.,
You bet I will. It sounds delicious-and fail-safe, too. Family Stew Take one large pot. Mix together assorted sizes, shapes and temperaments of Mom and Dad. Add children gradually with care and love. Sprinkle on dreams, encouragement, patience, honesty and pride. Stir in work, friends, pets, schools, life's ups and downs, church, pic-nics, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, nuts and bolts. Don't forget some craziness, kisses and hugs, fanny pats and more pa-tience. Tooth fairies, Santa Claus, angels, witches, gremlins and goblins. Take a large scoop of luck, an abundance of energy. Keep blending constantly with all the other ingredients. Bring to a boil-then simmer for 20 or more years over a very mod-erate flame. If the stew becomes too thick after 15 years or so turn heat off (teen years). Stew can turn unpredictable at this time. All stews are original and need generous amounts of imagination, fortitude and tolerance to keep from turning rancid. The magic of this incredible stew is that after 50 years the aroma still lingers and the pot never empties, al-though the flavor may vary depending on taste, preference and season-ing. Bon appetit!