God bless dear old mom. Growing up as a child, she really shaped - or tried to shape - my, and that of my brothers, table manners. I say tried because it was difficult to convince three energetic boys to keep their elbows off the table, not to talk with their mouths full and not to chew with their mouths open. We were also told to "eat everything off your plate - think of the poor starving children in Africa". Of course, I always thought it would be a good idea to send my food to the children of Africa but I guess my mom couldn't afford the postage. She also hated it when we liquified our jello. This was a favourite. We used to swish our jello around in our mouths till it turned to liquid and then gargle with it. We thought it was hilarious. My mother not so. But it is something I've passed on to my children and my children's children. It's like a time-honoured family tradition. I came across a story last week that mad...