Birth Day Son

When my 2nd son was born in 1958 I was happy to see that he had very bright eyes and active arms and legs. I had taken a fall while carrying a full laundry basket down an incline in the back yard when I was about eight months pregnant and landed on my belly!  His sister was 2 1/2 and his older brother was 1 1/2 and I knew I needed to be well in order to take care of my kids. In 1958 I was 22! The kids had a loving father who helped a lot with their care. The worst that happened to me was that I have had a painful lumbar back since then.

He didn't look much like his brother, he looked more like my brother who is three years younger than me. He was a happy baby except when he didn't get his way at about age 2. Then he would rock back and forth on his hands and knees crying until he was exhausted. The only thing that would soothe him was music and he soon joined in with lyrics when singing began; a record player was an important part of our possessions. His hobby when a teen was building and painting delicate model cars. He was really good at that! As years went on it was evident that he also had a temper that was sometimes difficult to tame. His finely tuned mind and fingers are used very well in his occupation as a precision machinist.

Through the years he has been both his older brother's 'keeper' and his younger brother's 'keeper.' By that I mean he has really cared and helped them whenever and however necessary.  

He has two offspring, a very bright and talented artist and creature-loving married daughter, a younger son who is learning the value of being a hard worker and developing self sufficiency, and a loving and sweet partner. 

He came to visit me over the weekend. A little larger, a little older, but as thoughtful and nice as a mother would ever want her son to be. It is hard to believe he is today 63!

I really should have scanned the very old baby photos before storing the album away for safe-keeping! 

It's What I Do

They’re not expensive ($1.75 for 50 at Target) but mine are OLD and CLEAN.  Every year I have washed my clothespins at the very end of summer and stored them until spring in the antique box that hangs on the side of the cabin. This box has been there for as long as I remember. It hangs on two screws and has been painted a flat black sometime in its lifetime. When laundry was ready to be hung on the lines, the old tin box was transferred to the front carport pole and there were two special screws for its placement, making it very handy to use. When laundry was brought in, the box was then transferred back to its safe and dry place by the side door. 

I know this is not a very exciting story but I feel I should tell it anyway. I no longer am able to hang laundry on the pulley style clothesline and have given in to not doing something that I found very satisfying, BUT … I CAN still do the annual clothespin and box cleanup in preparation for winter. So … this is what I did today. I washed and am drying my clothespin hoard. A long time ago I tossed my old-old pegs - sorry about that - but just the feel of the cleaned pinch-style made me feel good! Crazy old lady!

In the past I have created unique and custom craft items using this style pin. I  even won a prize at the local fair for my little clothespin rocking chair! (Sorry never took a picture of it.) This is one I found on the internet that is similar.

please tap image to view larger

Have you ever watched the guy on the TV ad when asked by his next door neighbor, “Why are you shouting?” His answer is “Because that’s what I do!” Ok enough said. 

Playtime

 Easy Peasy 1!  2!!  3!!!

911 Twenty Years Ago

2001 - The Mister and I were bringing groceries into our place in the SC campground where we spent every September and October. As I started putting things away, he turned on the TV and we were shocked to see an airplane crash into a tower with a great explosion. We didn't know what had happened until  further viewing with commentary explained the terrible news. Several days later there were items of commemorative clothing for sale at the camp store. We bought a T-shirt. 

Every year since, for the past 20 years, the Mister wore this shirt on 911. It was a single wearing and then treasured away until the next year.

Well, now he is gone, but the shirt is passed on to a special friend and neighbor who will keep our tradition. She helped also with putting out our American flag on the cabin, as it is difficult for me to do now. 

 

Report of Dinner

To be honest, my patty pan dish was just "OK" - that is, until I tried a 2nd serving with grated Vermont Extra Sharp Cheese on top.

At first it lacked pizzaz. It lacked zing. It was quite bland. The only thing was, I knew it to be nutritious and worth the adjustment. Next time I'll sprinkle the grated cheese on top when baking and it will be tastier for sure!    

Another thought I have is perhaps fried slices with an added sauce would be an alternative and not as labor intensive. That is, if I ever have the ambition again.

For a closer view tap on image

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Health Benefits of Pattypan Squash

These little guys have a lot going for them. Pattypan squash is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C and a very good source of magnesium, vitamin A (notably through its concentration of carotenoids, including beta-carotene), fiber, potassium, folate, copper, riboflavin and phosphorus. All of pattypan's nutrients combine to form a heart healthy, disease-preventing food, not to mention extremely diet-friendly fare. The antioxidants in pattypan work to keep free radicals at bay while its high fiber content helps excrete toxins from the body. Pattypan also contains nutrients that combat inflammation.  Source: https://www.organicauthority.com/

Labor Day

I took a golf car rideabout today as the sun was out and my mood was up! The cabin seedum flowers are not nearly as large and beautiful as in past years. Too much rain I guess.

I see one got away and self-seeded behind the big tree!

The Goldenrod are all over and in beautiful full bloom. The shadow in the road grabbed my eye.

Wild New England Asters are everywhere!

A rural mailbox is surrounded with Black-eyed Susans.

Best of all (for my eyes) was the prickly picky picky teasel.

Across the spillway bridge and home again! Great Ride!

please tap on image to view larger

Now to put my patty pan squash concoction in the oven for supper. Report coming soon.......

 

Spare Time in the Kitchen

My neighbor dropped off four Patty Pan squash as my daughter had mentioned that in the past, her mother-in law loved them, but she had never had any. Well I never had any either and researched how to use them. The first thing I realized was that the ones that were donated were very large. Most recipes on the internet said they are best about 3-4 inches in diameter. Well two of these are 7" and two others are 8" in diameter! What to do? How not to waste these?

Before daughter comes over to get them I experimented on one, just because I could! 

I happened to have a pound of maple bacon thawed and figured I'd incorporate some of it into a mixture of squash chunks. I remembered that I have three hot dog rolls in the freezer and thought I could cut them into small bread cubes. I had recently chopped and froze some onions and also have some fresh cloves of garlic on hand, so I proceeded to work on these items. 

The first thing I did was to scrub down all four squash. Then I picked one and put it in a pot of water about 1 inch deep and par-boiled it for about 10 minutes because the skin seemed very tough and thick. After letting it cool down I scooped out the (large) seeds and cut off the skin and made small chunks. All were put into a large bowl.

After draining and mashing the bacon, I smashed it in a baggie with my marble rolling pin, making smaller bits and pieces. About half went into the bowl. The cut up hot dog rolls went in next. The chopped onions, one minced garlic clove, shakes of pepper, salt, oregano, basil and thyme followed with about 1/2 cup of Parmesan-Romano cheese. All was mixed together by hand. I then patted it into a foil-lined glass baking dish, topping with drizzles of EVOO and a little 1/2 & 1/2. This was covered and put into the refrigerator overnight. 

Results tomorrow. I already had thawed some jumbo shrimp for my dinner.

Rose Photo

Red is my favorite color. 

Once in a while I submit one of my photos to our local NE PA station where I watch the news and weather.  In the link below, I apologize for the advertisement at the beginning, but the video below shows lovely pictures that are sent in by others like I do sometimes. 

 https://www.wnep.com/article/life/photolink/how-it-all-began-in-the-photolink-library-mike-stevens/523-8153d60f-b8a8-4313-8ffe-779240eb5734

I have manipulated this same photo for an "arty" piece.

Change

I can't believe summer is already over and soon the natural world will turn orange, brown, grey and white. AND COLD.  It seems as if the days are flying by, like what happens as the roll of paper gets smaller and the end is near. I have been able to keep pretty busy, sometimes doing nothing which is busy on a different scale. I did manage to vacuum the kitchen and living room this week. Major work for me now. The other day I was a social butterfly, chatting with the trash pickup man, the Schwan's delivery fellow, the mail carrier woman, the potter, my brother, and then a neighbor who was walking his dog. He stopped to help me with the filling of distilled water into the golf car batteries with a special system of doing it all at one time. Soon after, another neighbor made a special delivery of a bag of her home-made cookies! Killer Cookies, I might add. Soon things will have to be covered - the porch swing, the golf car, the air conditioner. I plan to have my lawn and yard guy help with this after he cleans out the flowerbeds and gutters and blows leaves. He does the snow removal as well. Perhaps he can use the Mister's great blower. It needs to be taken from the shed and put into the carport for easy access. A gasoline supply will be needed. I still see a couple of hummingbirds at the feeder but sure hope they leave before frost! It is time!

When I watch TV, which is for the morning news and weather and the suppertime updates, I know I have nothing to complain about. My health is fair for my age and as long as I have books to read, my computer for communication, shelter, warmth and food, I know I'm one of the lucky people in a safe environment. I also know this could change in an instant, but for now I'm going with the flow of good vibes, good friends and neighbors. 

The photos below are from last year.

It's Nature's way.

for a closer look and to be prepared, click on an image