As I sat hand grinding my whole-wheat flour this morning, I thought back to last week’s visit from my sister-in-law, Laraine. She was stopping by after taking the compass test to get back into our local community college. Over a cup of coffee she shared with us her desire to finally get her degree, something she’s always wanted to accomplish. She’s whittling away at her bucket list.
Springtime and asparagus
Still winter, but thinking spring
Will winter ever leave? The normal temps here this time of year are suppose to be 45 to 50 degrees. Last week, I planted two 30-foot rows of potatoes in my greenhouse. It was so nice and toasty warm in there I had to wear short sleeves. I also planted lettuce, spinach, beets, carrots, and radishes. Now today we’re in for 1½ inches of rain turning to snow with an ending accumulation of 6 inches accompanied by 35-mile an hour winds. I can’t complain too much though for I have many projects going.
Not too early to start those seeds
After pouring through my seed catalogs and going through notes of last year’s garden journal, the time had come to order. Once again I went with the Amish company based here in Indiana. They have the widest varieties of vegetables, flowers, perennials, berries, grapes, fruit trees, and greenhouse supplies. Plus they have the best prices! The Amish don’t have phones but they do have an answering service to order a catalog call toll free 1-866-510-337 or write the company at 1356 East 200 South, Monroe, Indiana 46772. No, I don’t get a discount for mentioning the company’s name. Wish I did though.
Whole country’s hit hard
I’m sitting on the couch tonight writing this as my first Indiana blizzard rages outside. I’ve been like a cat on a hot tin roof going from window to window seeing if any cars are on Route 29, the state-kept road that lies just one mile west of us. The source of my anxiety lies in the fact that my son-in-law left for work knowing this blizzard was coming. He felt it necessary to attend an all-employee meeting in Lafayette, which is 40 miles away. Might I add it’s also the town where Purdue University is, and I only add this fact because Purdue closed down for the day. Now I’m in a panic that he won’t make it home. What is it about 25-year-old men? Must be the sense of adventure.
Welcome 2011!
I actually rang the new year in while playing board games with my family. We all gathered at 6 p.m. to enjoy a wonderful meal of prime rib, baked potatoes, tossed salad, and Kim’s scrumptious cream cheese brownies. Fun was had by all.
While most people are chipping away on their New Year’s resolutions, I’m overwhelmed with paperwork. Being a township trustee I have to compile a year-end report called an annual report. I have to document all the incoming and outgoing finances, get together fire contracts, cemetery mowing, 4-H contracts, township assistance reports, etc. Then, I have to have a meeting of my three-person board to get them to review the information and sign off on it, get it published, and electronically file said information to the state of Indiana all within 17 days.
Our family’s Christmas tradition
Traditions are a funny thing, you either have them or you don’t. There’s no middle ground. When I married into Joe’s family I had none. He surely had one and it was deeply rooted. All he talked about was this tradition and how much it meant to him — Wigilia.
“Our Christmas Eve meal is a tradition that’s been in my family since my grandmother came from Poland. I really want you to carry on the tradition. It’s really, really important to me! We have pickled herring, rice and raisins, prunes and kluskies, peas, Babka bread, sauerkraut, boiled cubed potatoes, blue cheese celery, wine, and the pierogies, oh the pierogies are the best,” he told me.
“What in the world is a pierogi?”
“Dough-filled dumpling things. Mom and Laraine make potato, cheese, and sauerkraut ones. The kids watch for the first star. Then Dad breaks bread with my oldest brother Alex then with Ed and me, then Mom and Laraine. We, in turn, break bread with our spouses and everybody else. Dad then gives a toast. Oh Becky you just have to experience it for yourself,” he said.
Experience it I did.
The Christmas countdown begins
We’ve been scurrying around our little homestead trying to get projects done before the snow flies. Just when that will happen no one knows. Yesterday it was 70 degrees, then an extremely strong storm came through last night and it was 32 degrees at noon today.
The sun still shines
Last Friday I had to go to town to run errands. When I came out of the bank, I joined many other patrons walking quietly to the road. There were people of all ages, children carrying flags, elderly couples holding hands, employees walking out of their stores leaving only one employee behind. Then, traffic stopped. People left their cars and trucks to line the road. The only sound was from the rotor blades of the helicopter above. Even the little children stood in silence as the police cars pulled into the intersection and got out of their cruisers in their dress uniforms. The world came to a screeching halt. Tears burned my eyes as the Patriot Guard Motorcycle group came into view. They were riders from all walks of life. POW and American flags were attached to their bikes protecting the honor of our fallen soldier, his wife, and five small children. My hand was over my heart as I watched car after car of family and faithful friends in the funeral procession seeing their loved one put to rest.
Picnicking and politicking
Joe and I took a motorcycle camping trip to McCormick Creek State Park to celebrate our 32nd anniversary. It’s hard to believe that it was 82 degrees here and the leaves are just going by. You’d think by driving through our state that it’s just plan flat. Indiana has many beautiful attributes if you just take the time to discover them. Our state parks give us the opportunity to walk trails that are wooded with old growth and beautifully colored trees. There are miles for quiet reflection and beauty filled with hills, caves, and waterfalls.
Generations around the table
Joe and I were deathly ill last week, knocked on our backside for three full days. I hate the flu more than grocery shopping and believe me I hate grocery shopping! The worst part was that it hit me on Friday night, Joe on Sunday night, and I had to pick my Mom and Huey up at the airport Tuesday morning at 10:10. Now, you know you’ve been on the farm a little too long when going to the big city of Indianapolis (60 miles away) is a major trip. When I got down to my exit through all the construction, I knew I was in trouble. The exit had changed from the airport to Sam Jones expressway. That’s when I discovered the state of Indiana built a whole new airport. Yes sir, folks, I really need to get off the farm more. I called my loving husband and asked him if he knew about the new airport. He was just as dumbfounded as myself. He really chuckled when I asked him if he wanted to go for a date night. “But, Joey, it’s sooooo cool. It has a singing walkway!”
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