Usually, the transition from summer to fall is a bit subtle here in the Eastern portion of these United States. I remember going to school in September and sweating like a pig under the weight of the dress shirts, ties, and wool blazers we were forced to wear. Our grade school was completely devoid of air conditioning, so there was no escaping the heat and humidity of early spring and late summer.

By the time I reached high school, a few concessions had been made to modernization... the two annex classrooms (read that "trailers") were air conditioned, so it was always in your best interests to schedule classes there. By senior year, I had the plan down and started and ended each day with my buddies, Mr. Guida and Mr. Nolan. Maybe I wasn't thrilled to be there, but damnit, at least I'd be comfortable!

This year the change in seasons has come a bit more rapidly. In fact, it's only the first week of September and tonight's temperature is forecast to bottom out in the low 40s! Then again, it might rebound into the 90s by this weekend, but that's what happens when you live in an area populated by gum-snapping mall chicks with aerosoled hairdos piled on top of their empty heads, waiting in the parking lot of the mini-mall for the muscle-car-driven meathead of a boyfriend. As Drew Carey once said, "Screw the grandkids, I want it warm now!"

Though we may experience an Indian Summer down the line, the coming Fall and Winter seasons are inevitable. And, according to no less a source than the Weekly World News, Nostradamus predicted the worst winter on record! With that kind of reliable publication on the job, this week's recipe will be sure to warm the hearts and colons of family and friends alike as you wait for the three-foot snowdrift in front of your door to melt!

SPAM CAKES: A two-step recipe...calm down, it's easy!

STEP 1: Make Bisquick Pancake Batter

2 cups Bisquick
1 egg
1 and 2/3 cups milk

Add egg, milk to Bisquick. Beat with rotary beater until smooth. Grease griddle if necessary. Griddle is right when water sprinkled on it jumps around. (!) Makes about 18 pancakes.

STEP 2: Spam-afy!

Brown Spam slices on one side, 2 to 3" apart; pour batter over browned side. Bake.

This recipe comes from Betty Crocker's Bisquick Party Book (© 1957, General Mills, Inc.). I don't know, but that recipe seems a bit vague to me. If anyone tries this, please e-mail us with the results...I'm curious, though not curious enough to try it myself.