There will never, ever be another sandwich meat as good as bologna. Mother used to buy it in chunks with that red wrapping on it and we would almost knock the delivery boy down when he tried to get past us to set the groceries on the table. I marvel, to this day, how he side-stepped us four girls, with grabbing hands, and set the groceries down as though he were Barishnikov.

It would be Saturday and after mother put the groceries away, we knew we would have bologna sandwiches and a banana or orange before we went to the Saturday matinee. Oh, the wonder of it all. I bet mother was thinking that, too. That she would be rid of us for five or six hours. She would smear white bread (it had to be white) with mayo, slap a slice of bologna on one side and smear the other side with sweet pickle relish. Did I mention we also had potato chips to accompany our Saturday lunch? Well, we did. Saturdays were so special.

The closest thing to bologna I have ever found in sandwich meat are wieners. But, they are not the same, since they are not flat. And, I have never heard of putting mayo on a hotdog. That is just not done.

But, I am blessed. When I was twenty-one I moved to Houston. I had three roomies and we all worked at the same company.

One of my roomies liked Bologna, too. Oh, hallelujah! We shared grocery expenses. She introduced me to this fantastic sandwich which I eat to this day. You smear mayo on one side of white bread (2 slices), then sliced tomatoes, lettuce, and Velveeta cheese and for Heaven's sake, don't forget to put the bologna on it. It is to die for. For a little pep in this sandwich, you can put a couple of jalapeno peppers on it but I prefer mine sans or a couple of slices of red onion. Ooooh, I just get giddy thinking about it. Oh, yes. Don't forget to salt and pepper.

One day, not long ago, we came home from the beach. I was just starving and all we had was some deli turkey which was fine with me. I took two slices of wheat bread and dabbed some mayo on both pieces, some turkey, some ripe avocados and bean sprouts. Oh, yes. I used some sweet pickle relish next to one side of the mayo on the bread. My, my, my! It was just
too good to describe.

Now, I have taken peeled bananas and wrapped mayo'ed bread around them and ate them like tacos. It just saves time that way. A plain tomato sandwich with just mayo is my cup of tea, also.

There are just so many kinds of sandwiches. When I make a grilled cheese, I like to put a few jalapenos on it sometime. It adds some zip. Or you can grill it with tuna salad or slices of ham.

Sandwiches are quick to make and there is such a variety, with all kinds of ingredients, such as cucumber and salmon, etc. Just slap it together and you've got it!

Learn more about this author, E. V. SHAW.
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