How Sweet it IS!!

One of the best things about this time of year, gustatorially speaking, is sweet corn. Our local farmer and corn grower plants every three days in the spring, so that he can keep his large clientele happy in the fall. And THIS client is very happy. Guests from Plattsburgh and Virginia took corn home with them. I put some in the freezer. It will be even more appreciated in November and December!

Diversity

It really wasn't a boring week. Just lots of different activities and emotions. Daughter and dog visited Thursday-Friday. We had a chance to stop and see one of her high school friends and 3 sons. They are a busy family, but seem happy.
I received word of the death of a long-time church friend. I had visited her twice at the hospital, and I'm really glad I took the opportunity to do so. Her condition didn't appear that serious, but she had told her doctor, "Make me better or euthanize me!" I don't think he did that, but apparently God had decided it was time for her to come home. Her memorial service will be this Tuesday.
I had the job of telling another friend in the nursing home about her death. I was somewhat worried about doing that, but she was resigned. I guess when you get to be over 80, "surprise" is not an option about a friend's death. I remember my grandmother and later my dad both said, "All my friends are gone and I'm the only one left here."
I also spent some time trying to arrange openings for musical friends who were planning to be in the area. Thank goodness I couldn't do so, since they never got here. The people in the area they were serving wanted them to stay and help work out some problems.
I attended a ladies' mission meeting yesterday, at which a husband and wife team reported on the maternity home they manage. It's a Christian option to abortion, and the mothers and babies are allowed to stay for a year after the child's birth. During the time there, the ladies learn housekeeping, parenting, personal finance, etc. I found their report interesting. They work in unision with the local Care Net organization.
Last night we tried out a new cafe with another couple who wanted to treat us because my husband had spent several hours finding an item for them out in a hay field!
And on that note of mystery, I will close this post.

It's Official

He's gone.
On his way to Afghanistan.
Wearing Army drab, not Air Force blue.
His parents don't understand that.
None of us do.
But it's what it is.

His tour is slated to be six months.
We hope by March he's on his way home, hale and hearty.
We pray.
Just like millions of other families.

We wonder why.
But we know.
"Freedom and liberty".
The United States shouldn't have a monopoly.
We share.
It hurts to share.

God Bless the American Soldier.

Apple Time

It's also the time of year when the trees bring forth their annual harves of nuts and fruits. In my backyard there is an apple tree that has been here since before we came 40 years ago. It has never had any care, and it used to have the smallest knotty-looking apples. Since my husband cut off a few dead and dying branches, it seems to have gotten new life. The last two or three years we've had almost "normal" looking apples. Of course, they still have little bugs or worms in them, so you don't want to use them as eating apples.
I have a call in to the local extension office, so I can learn if there are things we should do to eliminate the pests. According to an old fellow at the local "Adult Care", the tree was purchased in Vermont and is an Ida Red. He is a relative of the people who lived here before we bought it, and he sounds believeable.
If these really are Ida Reds, they are good for eating and cooking. I can attest to the fact that they make the most wonderful PINK applesauce!
Anyway, the apples are beginning to ripen and fall to the ground. I have already picked up several offerings and made applesauce. Now I am offering them to my friends. There seems to be enough for all!

annual gut-wrench

This time of the year gives me the feeeling of trying to hold on to something infinitely beautiful and desirable, with no success.
Summer is ending; autumn and its responsibilities looms before me.
The weather has just turned liveable, with pleasant days and cool nights.
The garden is being harvested and stored.
And....it's school time again.
I spent 26 years in school myself, plus the years of my children.
While they were beneficial and educational, they were also grindingly required.
There was a schedule and an expectation of activity.
As I mentioned the other day, this time of year I have an impending sense of doom in the depth of my being!
Maybe this is why, in our retirement, we chose this time of year to head out and live a life of unfettered movement and relaxation, free as the wind that mumurs in the trees.
Hurray for changes of seasons!

Training?

If you have a dog that is very smart, congratulations.
If you have a dog that likes to chase birds, squirrels, and other wildlife, what do you do? I mean, it's a dog. That's what dogs (would like to) do!
If you have a 7-year-old kid, hooray.
If you have a kid who inadvertently lets go of the dog's leash, what do you do?
The kid knows he will be in trouble for letting the dog go, so he chases the dog.
The dog likes to run.
So the two of them end up at a park 3 blocks away.
What do you do?
I'm not going to give you any options.
Just tell me what You would do.

hmmm....

Going to "meet and greets" is fun, if you're otherwise unemployed and can spare the time and travel. You get to see who else is in the same mindset. Most of us are not "supporting" the candidate as yet; we're just seeing what he/she has to offer as far as ideas.
Yesterday I went to meet Jay Townsend, a Conservative candidate for US Senate. Taking Chuck Schumer's place would be a daunting task, but for some of us, it's a necessary event. Chuck has been around too long; he's practically a barnacle on the ship of state. So, he's said "yes" to most all of the current administration's ideas....for over 20 years!
I'm not sure Jay is the one to replace him, but at least I've met the fellow up close and personal. When I asked "income tax, flat tax, fair tax?", he allowed as how he needs to study up on that. Well, yeah, I think he needs to!