POGO

As we drove into the driveway last night after a movie, we saw a possum on our lawn! I've lived in New York all my life, and never saw a possum blissfully making itself at home in my yard. Once I saw a possum up a tree, at the post office in town. And I've seen possum roadkill. But never one so up close and local.

When I was a kid, I read something about possums, and then I wrote a story about one. It was called "The Little Possum That Couldn't Hang On". I'm sure you're running to the bookstore right now to pick up a copy. It was full of suspense and scariness and intrigue. Let's just say that the little possum made it alive and well to the end of the story.

Anyway, I did all that without actually meeting a possum. Think of all I could have done if I'd had some actual personal experience.

Gratitude

We had Thanksgiving at our daughter's home, with her husband, dogs, and in-laws. It was very appreciated, even though we had way too many desserts. Of course, what is Thanksgiving without many desserts? I rermember family festivities when I was a kid. Mom made everything. Then, as we grew and moved out, we women brought stuff...like fruit salad, veggie trays, sometimes pies. But it was still basically Mom's show. Her last one, we again congregated, but it was in the family room at the housing unit. And it was the day after Thanksgiving, so we could get more family there. One of my brothers got there; the other lives too far away. At least my cousin lives in the area, so he showed up. Some things about growing up are very sad. But we have our memories.

Homemade

Oh, yeah...it's gonna be soo good.
I've got oatmeal bread rising....a double batch.
There will be two regular loaves and probably 24 rolls.
I've never done a double batch before, of this recipe.
I was thinking of making a long "french bread" type loaf, but I'm afraid this wouldn't work well. Don't know why, but never did it before.
Maybe I'll try a little one, just to see if it holds its shape, etc.
I love the smell of rising/baking/just baked bread.
At least this is a bit more healthy than plain old white bread.
They all taste and smell good.
I will take some of this to my class tomorrow in Foundations of Liberty.
Eli engineered a "potluck" lunch, so I will also bring a crock pot of "cowboy stew".
I love to try out new recipes on unsuspecting hungry people.
That way, if I don't like it, at least I won't have to eat the whole thing myself.
We do NOT throw good food away in this house!

angelfood

Have you heard of "angelfood ministries"? It's a great way to save money and get good nutritious food for your family. I first learned about it from a friend who had been in other Army towns. She had first gotten it in Texas. If you google "angelfoodministries.com", you should be able to find something in your area. They are branching out this year, offering both Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes. In the Thanksgiving Box is a 7.5 pound roasting hen, a 3 pound boneless ham, 12 ounces of corn bread stuffing mix, 1 pound of frozen cranberries, 12 mini corn cobbettes, 2 pounds of green beans, 2 pounds of diced sweet potatoes, 12 whole wheat dinner rolls, and 1.7 ounces of brown gravy mix. Recipes and cooking instrucitons are also included. And you get all this food for the grand total of only $36! It's too late to order a Thanksgiving box, but you can get the Christmas one if you order by December 1.

TheTopic

Are you tiring of hearing about applesauce?
Just one more blog. I have a container of applesauce picked out and ready to go.
Also an applesauce cake. Today is my big day in TheCity.
I am taking applesauce to my friend of the previous blog, as well as some of the cake. She told me she used to make applesauce cake, so we need to see if it is anything like hers and can evoke memories.
After we chat for a while, I will be going to a book study with several 912 friends. We are reading "The Roots of American Order" by Russell Kirk. It is a very long book, with lots of historical and philosophical references. I'm not too bad with the history, but philosophy has never been my forte. I think I understand one idea, then I'm presented with another one and am back to square one.
Hopefully I'll get a little more insight into the roots of our American governmental order.
Looks like a lovely day for such adventures!

100 and holding...

I visited a friend yesterday. She lives in one of those apartment buildings where you punch her number and then speak with her on the speaker phone. She didn't recognize me or my voice or whatever, at first. Finally, she pushed the button to allow me entrance to the facility, and she was standing outside her door when I came down her hall.
She hasn't changed in the years since I'd seen her. Still the pristine white hair; the almond-shaped eyes; no glasses. She had a book, hard cover, on her desk, as well as the newspaper. Obviously still in touch with the world around her and the world of ideas.
She asked about mutual friends, and I was able to fill her in about some of their activities or addresses. She mentioned her son, who usually stops in every month or so, but "he's in Florida now for the winter". Her daughter still lives in "the City". That's New York City, where she worked and has friends and activities, many more than she could find in Watertown.
I asked if she liked "homemade applesauce", and her eyes brightened. "I get Meals on Wheels, you know. It's okay....." I asked if she had any dietary restrictions, and she said "No." So the next time I go, you can guess what I'm taking her!
She will have a birthday "the end of the month". When I asked the date, she said, "The 30th. It's the end of the month." Well, yeah.....guess that's right!
She will be 101.

Seasons

Since I last blogged, I have gone through an election, my husband's surgery, tooth repair, and a killing frost. It seems like our lives get all muddled up like that. Each day is not just "happy, happy, joy, joy". It usually has some sadness or melancholy mixed in, for whatever reason. As well as uncertainty, stress, and downright irritation. Of course, maybe I'm the only one to experiences this type of life, but I doubt it. I guess God gives us a little of everything to help keep us humble and relying on Him. At any rate, all is well and warm in NNY. PEACE to all.