Keepsake Scriptures

 

It’s been a year since I mentioned the scriptures 

that once belonged to my mom.  

The  binding is not in the best condition. 

There is a crack causing the cover to bend. 

But there is no way I can give it up. 

Mom marked what was important to her. 

She wrote notes to accompany her understanding. 

This is definitely a treasure to be handed down.

Unusable Apples

We misplaced our food dehydrator

and so Richard went and purchased another one. 

t is a better quality than the first. 

We had picked some apples from a yard we’ve gone to before.

He likes dry the apples or make apple pie. 

Apple pie.  Pie is really not my favorite dessert. 

I would rather have a cream pie than a fruit pie.

I don’t like most pie crusts.

Graham cracker crust is alright.

 So why not make apple crisp? 

Or apple cobbler? 

Or applesauce? 

Yes.  Let’s go for applesauce. 

I love homemade applesauce. 

 

He did make a zucchini and apple cake. 

That was interesting.

 

We had picked some grapes and plums – though

I don’t think they were really ready to be picked. 

They don’t taste ready. 

I cored and peeled the remainder of apples this morning. 

Half are in the compost, the other half

are in the freezer.

Summer Coming to an End

 

         Mornings lately have had an autumn feel to them.  It lasts until about ten o’clock and then it is a dreadful summer again.  Each morning we have been watering the plants.  It won’t be long until Mother Nature will take over with the watering and all the hill will be green and not just circles around the trees.

 

 

         As of now we have been eating zucchini, cherry tomatoes and peppers.  It may be another five years before we get a harvest from the grapes or the trees.  And I don’t know what is up with the blueberry bushes.  They’re bigger than at the start of the summer.  But I don’t think only nine blueberries is worth all the effort.

Summer Blessings

 

We have been quite blessed all summer as

there haven’t been any fires in Douglas County –

and we’re a BIG county.

I think we have had fires just about every year that

we’ve been here and

often get smoke from ALL directions. 

There was one day in June that we

sensed the smoke from the fires south of us –

probably California. 

No signs since until today. 

We’re thinking from the fires north of us. 

That is trippy. 

Wasn’t it just last night that I saw

the stars through the skylight? 

And now the skies are filled with haze –

nearly hiding the hills.  It’s been so hot. 

And when the wind blows it doesn’t offer the

cool breeze but an overly warm heat that

makes me feel like I’m in a dryer.

I didn’t say anything before because

I didn’t want to jinx it.

We have at least one more month before

the fires come to a rest.

Judging from the past.

Peculiar Taste

 

I think PEZ (originally short for Pfefferminz here) candies have got to be one of the most boring candies on the planet.  People buy them in order to collect the cool dispensers that release the dry powdery bricks of dull flavor.  I think the only reason why PEZ offers the dispensers is so U.S. citizens will buy them.  I don’t know how it works in other countries.  Apparently there are some citizens of other countries that thrive on the having the uninteresting flavor in their mouths. 

Recently Richard purchased a tin of candies that gave me the same initial vibe as the PEZ candy.  But instead of a cool dispenser, these candies come in a cool tin – which in my opinion is the only reason to buy them – not for the candy but for the tin.  The candy may have been slightly better than a PEZ (though it’s been YEARS so I don’t really KNOW) – this nameless candy had a tangy quality almost like a SweeTART mixed with soap. 

Last Year Perhaps

 

               It’s been ten years since we had been introduced to the Pear Orchard in Medford – and served once a year except for last.  I am so out of shape.  And the pears seemed to be tiny again this year.  But maybe not.  They won’t be through today and I am certain it will be announced that we have another opportunity.  Platform workers is what they are called.  Those who can scale the ladders and pick what can’t be reached from below.  Uh, no.  Not my calling.

               I remember one year when our RS pres. scaled the trees and threw down pears to be caught – which is probably a big “no-no” but really . . . how many volunteers can  climb ladders, fill their bags and then shimmy on down?  Not this girl.  That’s for sure.

               The pears which we pick in Medford are shipped to Shelly, Idaho for another cleaning and canning.  They are really good pears, too.  Overall I think canned pears are rather boring, but the ones the church cans are awesome.  In Salt Lake I was a recipient of eating canned product and in the last ten years we have picked.  If we ever move to Shelley I would have the opportunity to can the pears – but I don’t foresee that happening as I don’t believe we will ever move again.   Too much work – not just into the house but our yard as well. 

               We planted fruit trees that should be producing within the next five to seven years.  Will try to include pictures next post.

Dogs Feel No Shame

 

          Bonnie often snores when she sleeps. 

She is loud. 

She is fat. 

She does not get offended if we make fun of her.

Mostly I guess because she doesn’t understand.

But I wonder why we can’t respond as dogs do.

Why get caught up in the our insecurities –

embarrassed by loud snores

(even if it is the dogs)

or laughing at the noise,

calling the dog fat and

out of shape.

Dogs don’t feel the shame that humans often do.