Home Again From Near and Far

 I've just come inside from sitting on the porch listening to heavy rain as dusk turned to darkness. This was just what we imagined when we added a roof to our porch. Even though it was only for a short while, I enjoyed how peaceful it was.

But last weekend was a different story. Miss Landers, her friend, and I went to West Virginia for our annual family reunion. It was great to catch up with my cousins and their families; however, when we make a trip to WV, there is always too much to do in too short a time. It's a six-hour drive each way, so we travel the day before the reunion and leave after the reunion to head home.

Eight of the twenty-three first cousins were at my family gathering. Sadly, three of them have already passed.

One of the things we did this time was to visit two different cemeteries to clean markers, trim the grass, and decorate with flowers. It was a lovely opportunity to reflect on those who have come before us. But to tell the truth, I was distracted by the heat. The sun was bearing down, and I got a little cranky. I would like to say that I rose above my discomfort with a complete show of reverence, but I wasn't that evolved. But in the end, I honored my relatives. And my mother would have been happy, as that is what she taught us to do.

We try to get to JR's Donut Castle if we can. Their bakery products can't be beat. My Uncle Skip used to go there every morning before work, so we always think about him when we visit. And BTW, when was the last time you saw a working pay phone?

We also visited a homebound cousin and went to various stores to purchase West Virginia products that we can only find when we visit. 

Mr. Bee potato chips are the only chips made in West Virginia.
They are made in Parkersburg, where my family is from.

Sometimes, we stay two nights to break up the travel, but not this time because Ward was coming home. I left Friday morning, and he came home Friday evening from his vacation in Poland. Needless to say, we were anxious to see each other. I wouldn't say that I spent the time he was away pining after him, but boy, was I happy to see him.

However, there was a little adjusting to do, also. He was totally mixed up from jet lag and long travels, and I had started sleeping in an "L" position in our bed with my legs making a 90-degree angle and filling his space. We're back to normal ways now, and all is good. 

Until next time...

Book Reviews

Here are a few books I've been reading lately.

I finished the Enola Holmes series by Nancy Springer and liked each book more than the last. The series concluded with a satisfying ending to the story arc across the books. 

Specifically, 

#4 The Case of the Peculiar Pink Fan, 2008. Enola saves a young girl who is being forced into a marriage for money by evil people.

#5 The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline, 2009. Florence Nightingale is featured in this mystery with interesting codes.

#6 The Case of the Gypsy Goodbye, 2010. This book finally answers the question of what happened to Enola's mother.

Mrs. Endicott's Spendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen, 2025, adult historical fiction. 

Rhys Bowen is a prolific author who is mainly known for the various mystery series she writes. This is a standalone novel.

In 1938 England, Ellie's husband tells her he wants a divorce. After the shock wears off, she decides she is going to visit the south of France, where she had been as a girl. She ends up taking with her her housekeeper, who has an abusive husband, and a cranky church lady who is dying. Along the way, they pick up a young pregnant hitchhiker. 

Their car breaks down in a small fishing village on the Mediterranean, and they end up staying there. The women all blossom as they become a part of the town. Then WWII happens, and life is not idyllic anymore. Ellie becomes part of a smuggling operation that is trying to relocate Jews to safer places. The little village cannot avoid the horrors of war, but when the war is over, they all set about rebuilding their lives.

I enjoyed this book. I always like reading books in which the characters are troubled and slowly work their way to a better place. In addition, Ellie and her friends redo a rundown villa, which had the feel of the Secret Garden rebirth to it. 

This was an easy read, and the story and characters kept me interested. However, the writing is simple (not that there's anything wrong with that). This was especially apparent after reading the Enola Holmes books, which had a much richer vocabulary and descriptions. I found that ironic, since the Enola Holmes books are classified as children's books.  

I will read more Rhys Bowen and already enjoy her Royal Spyness series from time to time.

James by Percival Everett, 2024, adult historical fiction

This book is the retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain from the perspective of Jim, the runaway slave. It was a New York Times bestseller and won the Kirkus Prize, the National Book Award for Fiction, and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

After only a few pages, I thought that this was not the book for me. There was difficult language ("nigger" for one), bad treatment of Jim, and a dialect that was hard to read. All important to the story, but not what I wanted to deal with at the time. However, the words of my 8th-grade English teacher came back to me, "You can't decide if you like a book or not until you read at least 100 pages."

So, I read a little more, and a little more still, and was hooked. The story of Jim and Huck trying to escape on the river was exciting, and the characters they met along the way were interesting. There were also thought-provoking insights into the slave culture. The book did not shy away from the horrific treatment that slaves/black people endured during that time. Important events that we need to remember. Even with all of that, the book ends with hope.

It's not always a comfortable read, but I recommend this book.

Atomic Habits by James Clear, 2018, Adult nonfiction (155.24)

Miss Landers told me about this book after it was recommended to her. I thought I could use some advice on keeping and breaking habits, so I ordered the book from the library and read it. Atomic Habits has been on the NYT Bestseller list for five years straight.

Clear's premise is that habits are achieved in very small increments. He gives very clear and detailed instructions on the four basic parts of controlling habits: Make it Obvious, Make it Attractive, Make it Easy, and Make it Satisfying.

It's been a while since I have read a self-help book, and I found this one somewhat boring at first. However, I soon found that I was interested, as Clear cited numerous studies, anecdotes, and neurological explanations about how habits are formed. 

I didn't have anything in mind that I wanted to work on (although there is plenty I could do), but I found myself making small changes to some things to make them better after reading suggestions in the book.

While I got this book out of the library, it might be good on a home reference shelf. I could see myself referring back to it again and again.

Until next time...

Hello, There!

 When we last spoke, I was telling you all about the local fair. But before that, I mentioned that Ward was going to Poland for almost three weeks. Two weeks down and a few more days to go. It's been an incredible trip for him, but he's getting tired. (I haven't taken any photos since the fair, so I'll include random pictures from Ward's trip.)

He went hiking in the Tatra Mountains.

I, on the other hand, miss him, but have been enjoying my time. Well, enjoying sounds like it's better when Ward's not around. That's not true at all, but when you don't have to coordinate with anyone else, time seems to expand.

Besides going wild and eating onions, raw and cooked to my heart's content (onions are not Ward's favorite), I have been getting around to some things that I've been thinking about for months (years?).

One of the first things I did was clean up my gardening area in the garage. It had become a dumping spot expanding beyond its shelves, and maneuvering around the cars was challenging at times. Well, it's all organized now, and I'm ready to plant those 60 crocus bulbs I bought at Costco on impulse. I love crocuses, but I'm not sure where I'm going to put them all. That's a problem for another day. :)

Poland's version of a city limits sign.

Next up was the craft room, which is really a misnomer because I don't do many crafts, but I have supplies in there if the mood decides to strike. There are also plants, a sewing machine and fabrics, photos, office supplies, linens, and anything else we're not sure where to put. It has been purged and organized, at least at a first level. I would actually leave the door open now if we had company. It should remain in pretty good shape until we start using it for wrapping Christmas presents. Then somehow entropy takes over again.

I have started, but not completed, a project in the basement. Last fall, we had a leak in the basement, and it ruined the carpet. We had a new floor put in, but first we had to move everything from the finished part to the unfinished part. The major furniture has been moved back, but not any of the rest of the stuff, including many shelves of photo albums and loose photos. I thought I would organize them before I put them back. The task is overwhelming and has prevented me from starting. 

So, I decided that I would just neaten them up and put them back on the shelves. I had photos organized well until Wally was about 10. Then it's all hit or miss. Photos are hard because there are so many memories that come with them. Nevertheless, I have made progress. The goal is to get the stuff moved that is in front of our holiday decorations before we need them.

He's been eating lots of pierogi. 

I'm happy to report that as a result of my various efforts, I donated five boxes of stuff and filled a big recycling bin and a trash bin. 

Also, for years, I've been saying that I need to go to bed earlier because I wake early without enough sleep. I have been successful in doing that these last couple of weeks, and it's helping. I'll see if I can get Ward on the program when he comes back. He's going to be all messed up from jet lag, so might as well reorient with the new schedule. 

And I've been keeping up my exercise and gardening, and I got to meet a brand new nephew. Today, I made pesto, and yesterday I cooked and froze turnip greens. Wild times here! 😁

Until next time...

Fair Entries

Ward and I enjoy entering things in the fair every year. It's fun when we win a ribbon, but it's even more fun to just be a part of it all. 

Here are this year's entries.

Ward's phone stand. You can't tell from the picture, but the stripe lines up perfectly.
Also, the base and back come apart for easy storage.

Ward's fish trivet. When he was making ones for our friends, he made one for us.
I was happy with that, as many of the things he makes, he gives away.

A side table Ward made. They put other entries on top of it.

Here is a view at home without anything on top.

I especially like the detail of how the legs come together like they are woven.
That design gave Ward a run for his money.

I entered two roses and got a second and a champion. This made me especially happy because they came from rose bushes that my friend gave me for my retirement. She now lives in California, but was always been a big participant in the fair, especially in the flower division. In a way, it was like she was still participating in the fair.
I also entered marigold and lantana and for second and third places.

In the recycled craft category, I made a wreath made out of cardboard tubes
 (i.e., toilet paper rolls).

The flowers for this collage are from photos of flowers in my backyard. One of my self-imposed rules for fair entries is that I have to use what's on hand and not buy anything.

I also entered several photos, most of which didn't earn any ribbons. It was a very competitive category, so I was pleased that one of them got a third place. And the sugar cookies I entered didn't earn anything. And to be honest, they were a little dry.

Well, I guess that's it for the fair this year.

Until next time...

Fair Time Again

 Another community fair has come and gone, and I enjoyed participating in it once again.

I'm always amazed at how some people still have good vegetables growing.
By this point, mine are all eaten with bugs and or rotting.

Now that I don't have to work every Thursday night when the fair accepts entries, I was able to help with that process. I thought I was coming to help put the flower entries in order, but I ended up being on the front line checking in entries. And that was crazy. For the entire four hours of submission time, the lines were long and there was no time for breaks. (Although I did manage to sneak away for a bathroom visit.) 

My job was to make sure that everything was entered in the right category and was correctly tagged. Some people prepare for the fair all year, and I checked in some people who had 60 or more entries. Next time, I'll show you what Ward and I entered.

Somehow, I didn't take many pictures, and these certainly don't feature all of the things that were happening, like a vegetable car race or the ice cream churning contest. But here are a few scenes from this weekend.

This was the first time they had rabbit Olympics, where the rabbits had to jump over bars of various heights. Wally and I enjoyed watching the rabbits, who were often more interested in exploring than jumping.

We watched kids compete as they milked the cows. The cow cutout had a bladder filled with water.

4-H kids raise livestock all year, and local businesses buy it at the fair. This cow was getting fluffed up for showing.

There were more baked goods entered than last year.
This year, they had to add an extra table.

All parts of this boba tea cake were edible. It was amazing to see in person.
 In the lower corner is a Subway sandwich cake that was also impressive.

I saw a lot of fine needlework (and checked a lot in),
but this woven scarf was especially impressive.

Of the various collections entered (mostly by 4-H kids), I liked this teeth collection the best. Maybe that's because I used to find teeth and jawbones in my backyard at the old house. I enjoyed figuring out who they used to belong to.

One of my backyard finds. A deer jawbone.

Until next time...

This and That

The good weather of August has followed us into September with temperatures in the 70s. As Ward kept saying, "Best August ever!" August is often our hottest month with temperatures in the 90°Fs with humidity to match. Unfortunately, we haven't had any measurable rain with those good temperatures, but there is a promise of a thunderstorm this afternoon.

Turns out our surprise vine is a pumpkin plant. Unfortunately, this is next to Ward's shop, which was treated extensively for termites, and we can't eat anything grown here.
However, I plan to decorate with it. 

The summer vegetables gave up weeks ago, but the fall veggies are up to varying degrees. I planted turnips, rutabagas, beets, spinach, and lettuce. However, Uncle Billy has been sharing some of his harvest, and I'm presently eating tomatoes, peppers, and watermelon from him. 

And I say "I" instead of "we" because Ward is on a trip to Poland with his brother, and will be gone almost 3 weeks. Besides seeing the sights, they plan to do some genealogy research in the little town their great-grandfather immigrated from. It's been years since Ward has been away more than a night or two, so it's taking some adjusting on my part. But one of the first things I did was buy a big onion. Ward doesn't like onions, so we don't have them as often as I might otherwise. That's the wild living I'm doing while I'm on my own. :)

Ward spent his first night in this 1700s inn. 

I am continuing to do well with getting regular exercise. Recently, I've been trying some harder classes, both aerobically and strength-wise, and I am definitely challenged. I had planned to go to a class this morning, but I'm not feeling it. We'll see what happens. I still have time. Thursday is usually when I go to a line dance class, but I will be busy this afternoon when it is taught.

I am going to be helping with the local fair that I participate in every year. This is my first time being behind the scenes, and I will be helping to take in entries. But first, I have to get everything entered that we have, including a side table that Ward made. The hard part is always getting from the parking lot to the entry building with all the stuff. Cut flowers in water are always a challenge.  I will figure it out somehow. 

The beauty berries are starting to turn to this fun purple color.

But first, I need to do some fair entry prep here at home, so I'd better go.

Until next time...