SongofJoy57's Blog at GardenStew.com

Apple Butter Making Time in the Mountains

SongofJoy57 — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:16:38 -0400

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 2:16 pm (GMT 0)

My Grandsons help make apple butter. ( photo / image / picture from SongofJoy57's Garden )

A few weeks ago we took the grandsons to Boone, NC to the annual apple festival. It was a beautiful day for it, and the air was fragrant with the smells of cooking apple butter, and kettle corn.

Small Potatoes

SongofJoy57 — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 08:13:48 -0400

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:13 pm (GMT 0)

Looking at Sjoerd's post on potatoes reminded me of how far I have come since I was a teenager. I was a bookworm, and hated doing ANYTHING outside. While my sister and brothers worked in the garden with my parents . . . I would stay inside cooking and cleaning.

I remember one Saturday when it was just my mama and I at home, and she enlisted me to assist her "gathering potatoes," at least that is how I heard it . . . being the halflistening and reluctant teenager that I was. She directed me to my row, while she worked on the row above me, telling me that after I finished just toss the plant to the side.
Finally we arrived at the end of our rows . . . she proudly displayed her bucket filled with little red marble shaped potatoes. I looked with dismay down into my own empty bucket stating, "Well I didn't find a one on the vines to pick." Boy . . . she was ready to wring my neck, as the only thing I had done was search the vines like I was picking tomatoes, and the lopped them off at ground level . . . tossing them to the side.
She told me that she was "fed up to the gills" with me, and sent me off into the house to wash breakfast dishes, while she went back, and dug up that whole row to find the missing potatoes.
I think about days like that when my youngest son, David, who is 19 years old now, doesn't pay a bit of attention to advice I give him . . . I turned out okay . . . so there is hope for him also.

This picture was made about 17 years ago . . .David and my first mess of potatoes grown from a few oversprouting potatoes I had forgotten about under my sink. I have come along way . . . hopefully he will too!!

St. Pete . . . March 26th through April 1st

SongofJoy57 — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:42:30 -0400

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:42 pm (GMT 0)

The daytime of life so swiftly is passing . . . .
Today is rainy and gloomy . . .
so this will be a good catch up day with my blog . . .

Highlights from vacation week in St. Petersburg, Florida included a dinner cruise on a riverboat. A couple from England had just gotten married, and we joined in celebrating their reception.

[The drinks were wonderful . . . and the dinner was so-so.

I really enjoyed going downtown for the farmer's market. It runs from March until May . . . as it is too hot to be out shopping in the morning sun after this.

Downtown St Petersburg
Lunch at the hotdog stand . . . YUM
Flowering plants for sale. . .
[Fresh Fruits and Veggies anyone???? (Too bad we were flying home . . . as our local farmer's market does not start until May!)
[Having fun in the vintage clothing section of an antique store . . . 5 stories tall . . . and full of goodies!!!!

Gangway . . .Arggggg . . . walk the plank, matey . . .
[I did buy a two volume book about Abraham Lincoln written by Carl Sandburg, a book of Irish Proverbs for Adam, my eldest son, and an 1870 almanac . . .
Notice the ship on the horizon . . .
[
Sunset arrives as everyone stops their activity to watch. . .
View from the tiki bar . . .
Vernon (Robb's dad) and I enjoying the warm night on the beach.

The monkey guards the beach from a coconut tree . . . complete with coconuts!!!

All in all . . . we had a nice week . . . glad to get home . . . after all, I am a North Carolina girl . . .

New & Easy Drink Recipe:
Malibu Coconut rum and pineapple juice over ice . . . YUM!

Changing of the Guard

SongofJoy57 — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:45:19 -0400

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:45 pm (GMT 0)

Hope you are having a time of it! We are having a beautiful day here at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as I sit with my first cup of java, and gaze out the window. After building fires and bringing in wood about every night this old gal is ready. My pansies are still steadily bloomin, and have done me proud over the winter months...standin' there like dependable soldiers, guardin' my dooryard.

The camilla bush gave her brief show, and has shamelessly left her bloomers around her ankles(LOL)

And day before yesterday, I looked out at the forsythia bush (which is big as a small sedan) and it was putting on the dog. A few springs ago I remember looking out at the forsythia and right in the middle was a bright red male cardinal. Wished I would have had film in my camera that spring, but it was a vision I shall not forget, as long as I live. . .

Speaking of visions . . .the view of the sunrise shall soon depart . . . as the trees are starting to bud. They shall soon flesh out, and I will no longer be able to see the sunrise from my picture window. That . . . I will miss as Spring approaches. But Spring comes in, and winter departs . . . like the changing of the guard. After the rains we had this week . . . there is new growth coming . . . the hostas are sprouting up, and it wont be long til they will fill out . . .

The daffodils opened week before last, and I took my grandson, Erik, out to pick a bunch . . .Hey! It was better than trick-or-treatin' I suppose, for after it was over, he looked up at me, and said, " Come on Mee-Maw, let's go to another house and pick some more!"

Just like Grandma and her iris in bloom. Takin' me out in her yard, and sayin', "Grandmother is plantin' these flowers for you." And Granddaddy Barnes was already out there planting small saplings just for my little brother Mike,(I know, I heard him say it to Mike!) who was toddling along beside Granddaddy, (as fast as those little short legs would allow him...) excited to be spending time with Granddaddy. (In fact, I don't know who was more excited, Granddaddy or Mike! LOL!) Some of those trees are still standing over on North Gaither Avenue, here in Catawba County! Mike reminds me more of my Granddaddy Barnes than anyone I know! I need to go and pay him a visit. I miss my time with Debbie and him. I bet Debbie has already got flowers blooming in her yard. All of my brothers and their wives have beautiful yards every year. I need to make some time.

Time...that's one thing we grandparents have that parents sometimes don't (because they sometimes are too preoccupied just figuring out how to make ends meet, or other issues.) I wonder if Erik will remember standing in that sea of yellow with his grandmother. And when I look at the Cana Lilies later in summer . . . I see Aunt Colleen, and the way those bright red flowers lined her drive, welcoming me in for a cup of coffee, and how we would sit at her dining room table, and talk. It makes me smile now to think how grownup she made me feel! She was 32, and I just thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. (Secretly, I hoped I would look that pretty when I was that old. Heck! I didn't even look that good then . . .gawky, long skinny legged teenager that I was. Dumb & forlorn too ..oblivious to the fact that the years fly, and going through the 30s is our 'prettiest' age ever, right girls?)

Then I think of bein' pregnant with Adam, and how my dear, thoughtful mama sent me orange blossoms in March, all pressed, and wrapped in waxed paper...My! how wonderful the fragrance was. A bit of sunshine in an otherwise cold hard winter. Makes me think of all the folks, way down there in Florida, and I imagine them feelin' the warmth of the same sun I am seein' through my window on this fine spring day . . .except it is closer, and warmer, and I imagine the birds are chirping wildly, as some of them prepare for their trip back to NC.

Speakin' of NC, and Mama's gift of orange blossoms . . . that was a hard winter up here in NC. Our furnace stayed torn up, and as hard as the landlord tried he could not keep it running. The heater core in our Nova was froze up, and we didn't have money for antifreeze, just 25 cent bottles of rubbin' alcohol to put in the radiator every other night. We'd bring our battery in the house, and wrap it in a towel, just to ensure that the car would start for work every day. Then to top it off, I worked beside a loadin' dock hammering dowels in wood with an lady who had hot flashes, and every 10 minutes or so she would go, and yank that door up, and announce, "I'm havin' a hot flash! She was fanning wildly, as I shivered. (Now, I can't say I would blame her LOL!) I never thawed out until Spring that year. That was my hardest winter in Life...1981.

Our time is the greatest gift we can give anyone. Get out there, and make a memory for someone you love today. We make time for the things we want to do, and excuses for the things we don't. (the first cliche!)

Yes, I think of good memories, and how precious they are. Make the most of them folks, cause until we meet on the other side, that is the closest thing we have to heaven.

Well, the sun is rising high in the sky, and I've bent your ear longer than I intended to. Take care, enjoy your day, and remember I love you. Family is precious. I love my family here at Gardenstew.

Love You Dearly! SoJ

The Praises of Spring (Two weeks early of course!)

SongofJoy57 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:35:45 -0500

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 5:35 pm (GMT 0)

Savior crucified after
Pilate washed his hands.
Resurrection of the lamb.
I am filled with joy & gratitude.
New Birth,
Growth, and the promise of life everlasting!
- Carmen
03/08/08
(This is my first attempt at an acrostic poem.)

Hydrangea. Last year we had a very hard frost after spring began, and then later the drought. I had one bloom on my bush, so this year I am going to be vigilant about wrapping it if there are any hard frosts which come. (I am going to St. Petersburg, Florida on March 26th . . . so I hope nothing occurs while I am gone. Do you think it would be okay to wrap the bush in a sheet for a week?)

Iris. My Irises did not bloom either, and I feel that the drought affected them also. I pray that we continue to get rain regularly.

Camillia. She is profuse with blooms . . . and has been blooming since the weekend before we got our snow!

Moneyplant. This is a bienniel, and will actually bloom this year. I love their deep purple flowers. My maternal grandmother used their seed stalks in a vase in the fall and winter. They are so beautiful, and also have several other names including silver dollar plant, honesty, or Judas' penny.

Forsythia/Yellowbells. This is my promise bush . . . I can rely on it to tell me that spring is on her way!

Miss Violet's very first bloom. She is sitting in a window where she can catch the morning sun.

Hyacinth. My eldest son gave me this last Mother's Day. It was pink. Will it eventually turn? I guess we will have to wait and see.

Tiger Lilies. I transplanted a couple of the ones located by my backdoor. They are lovely, but their beauty is fleeting . . . only lasting for a day.

Sedum. This plant is also reliable . . . giving something year round. I love to snip the dried flower stalks, and bring in for the winter.

Columbine. I bought these seeds from a gift shop in the airport years ago when I visited Denver, Colorado for a social work conference.

Phlox. Their heady fragrance is absolutely to die for.

Daffodils. I have seen scads of them in bloom, but I live at the foot of Baker's Mountain (the tallest peak in Catawba County,) so I will have late blooming narcissium. I love to put them in a special crystal vase in a sunny window . . . once they bloom. (Maybe I will be blessed with a special Easter arrangement!)

Here I am in March 2008 . . . a mother & a grandmother remembering my mother & my grandmothers on this morning. I learned to love flowers from these sturdy women who worked diligently, raised large families of children, suffered many hardships and tragedies, and loved men who eventually found their primary adoration in the bottle. Nevermind that husbands were not always kind & loving, children were not always obedient & praiseworthy, life was not always steady & predictable. These strong women could nurture their plantings, and could always wait in eager anticipation of a glorious outcome . . . breathtakingly beautiful, the blooms & blossoms show with all their splendor.

My maternal grandmother, whose ancestors came mainly from the rugged hills of the Black Forest in Germany, and from Switzerland, loved pansies . . . their little velvety splotched faces in royal colors always brightened her porch. I remember that she hollowed a tree stump out in her yard, and even planted a patch of them in the middle of it. . .a rustic flower pot that one does not have to worry that the winds may upset it from its perch. I remember their little pansy heads bobbing in the mountain breeze in joyous approval of their earthen nest. To gently touch them was like touching a piece of velvet . . . more fragile, so it must be done just so-so . . . easy now . . came a loving warning.

She loved the birds also . . . and always got excited at the sight of a cardinal. She passed her excitement down to my mother, and she passed it on to me. My mama shooed away the blue jay, giving the cardinal and snowbirds preference to her cold biscuit crumbs. In years later, when I was an adult, she gave my sister a cardinal figurine, and a blue jay to me. I hung my head in shame, for I have always been the one with a hot temper, although I have prayed forgiveness, and have struggled to tone down in my older years. After my mother's death, I shared this as the only time my mother had really done something hurtful to me. My cousin quickly answered, "Don't you know that the blue jay is very protective over its young?" "Oh . . . I hadn't thought of that, " I answered, as I considered the death of my first son at the age of two, and how many years it took me to step back, and have faith that God would not allow tragedy to happen to the double portion . . . two more sons . . . again. Then I felt a spiritual connection to my sweet angel mama who always knew me best.

My paternal grandmother's ancestors were from Ireland. She loved her old fashioned irises . . . pale lavender in color, and the delicate fragrance, and also roses. She wrote a poem for me one time entitled, "God is in a Rose Garden More Than Anywhere I Know." In it she compared the buds to newborns, and the older blooms releasing their petals as the elderly. It was so beautiful, and I carried it for most of my childhood, until it was destroyed from wear. I wish I still had it . . . I remember her spidery handwriting, and her unique hand in spelling . . . as she gave up school at a young age, to a more noble calling to farmwork, and later marriage & childrearing.

My mother and grandmothers have passed on to heaven. As I work in my yard, I imagine them watching me from above. Whispering among themselves, the welling up of pride in their hearts, that I place utmost value in what each of them passed down through the generations by teaching me not necessarily by words, but by example . . .

The best thing to release stress is the activity of gardening.

To dig and run our bare fingers through the soil. The warmth from the morning sun wisping through the dappled shade, and warming the soil, and the damp cool soil contrasting as we go a little deeper down into the rich soil.

The seed surrenders all that it has, and all that it is to the soil and elements. We gain our strength as we imagine this capsule of life as it soaks up all the ground has to offer. I compare this act of nature to our surrender to God as we go through a crisis . . . He has provided all that He requires for us to bloom, and realize our purpose.

At the end of the day after toiling in the soil . . . moving, bending, walking, carrying, digging . . . it is so rewarding to peel off sweaty dirty clothes, and soak in a tub of water, with a cake of sweat scented soap, and look out the door at all of the hard work we have accomplished . . . the payoff is so lasting and rewarding. We are blessed again and again!

Walking through the garden in the early morning with a cup of coffee, and taking inventory of who has bloomed to reveal their glory overnight is very rewarding. The birds in their morning revelry provide the background music as we step purposefully about the land . . . shouting out the promise of beauty from decay & death . . . something to set the sights upon . . . to ease the journey . . . do you see just beyond the next ridge? Three staunch women await with open arms, and eager anticipation. I step carefully, and set my sights beyond.

Mornin' Glory!!! It is Snowing in the South . . .

SongofJoy57 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 03:29:30 -0500

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:29 am (GMT 0)

How do people in the southern region of the United States behave when they get a little snow?
Well . . . we vere off the normal track of life. . .
Our sleep is usually broken from getting up during the night to see if the white stuff has started coming down yet . . .

and once it arrives we get out and take pictures . . . mainly because it is such a rare event for most regions . . . We just go hog wild with excitement!!!!!
There might as well be money falling out of the sky!!! That is just how excited and happy we get.

We haven't had any snow here in about two or more years . . . Can you just imagine???? It will be so good for our water table as we are in a drought, and that slow melt, and soak will be quite good for my irises which did not bloom last year. YAY!!! . . .

Now . . . I have my Christmas tree lights plugged in,

(No . . . I have not taken my tree down yet . . . some people decorate early . . . I guess this year I am undecorating late . . . lol)

and my oodles of noodles simmering hot, and waiting for me . . .
and right now in this moment (3:23 AM, to be exact) I am a kid again . . . no responsibilities . . . no worries . . . now, if I can just find some cowboys on TV I will be in my element . . . more later . . .

Well it is 4:45 AM, and it is still snowing to beat the band. There was nothing too good to watch on the tv, so I am in the kitchen making a pot of homemade chili beans for later in the day. I will sleep later when the excitement wears off. I know for a fact that we will not have classes today . . . (I work for a local community college.) We are supposed to get sleet and freezing rain after the snow stops.

A lot of people think that southern folks just do not know how to drive in the snow. While that may be true to a certain extent, I read that this is not entirely so. Our ground temperature is warm, so when it does snow, a very thin layer of ice forms as the snow falls. This base makes for some very treacherous driving. That plus all of the people who refuse to slow down or follow too close make it very dangerous for the rest of us.

Christmas Season 2007

SongofJoy57 — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:49:01 -0500

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:49 am (GMT 0)

Right after Thanksgiving there is so much to do to prepare for Christmas, but it is still my favorite time of the year. I greet the dawn of late November,
and hit the ground running.

First on my list is to select arrangements for my parents' and little sister's graves. I try to do this as early as I can because it is very important to me,and if my time gets eaten up . . . I would rather put off something else . . .
I had to return to the store to select more flowers as I did not have quite enough. While I was there I tried to find some inexpensive baskets to paint.
I have decided to try something that I have never done before. I plan to make some Christmas baskets for my loved ones . . . and put a personal touch to
them. I ordered a basket from a well known company, and thought I would come out better just making my own. I found that baskets cannot be made for what you can buy them . . . costwise, but my baskets could be customized to suit each family . . . my brother who gardens found a Farmer's Almanac along with his goodies . . . (Here are a couple . . . I made eight different ones.)

my cousin who helps her husband roof houses found an ample bottle of shea butter with her treats . . . and I had so much fun tucking little surprises in them. And the quality and variety of the puny store bought one could not compare to the ones that I took time to make. So there is a trade-off here.
[Gwenyth Olivia- - my grandniece waving,

"Bye Auntie Nee-Nee!"
I visited each family, and delivered the baskets.
It took more time, but they were genuinely pleased, and I had a ball making Russian tea, baking cookies, shopping for discounts on things like Belgium chocolate, Swedish cookies, Scottish Shortbread (I found this at Dollar General!), French milled soap, etc. . . . We can only dream of going somewhere out of the country, and to get something that is made elsewhere is a luxury with us . . . except China maybe . . .lol! Next year I will make a mental reminder to shop all during the year for nonperishables, as not to make such a deep dent in my purse at one time.

I brought my grand-nieces and grand-nephews little gifts, and also took my aunt around to visit her great grandchildren too. I volunteered to assist with the decorating for our Christmas luncheon at work. I stood on a concrete floor for five hours making eight centerpieces, and my feet swelled up so bad that I could not attend the party. (I am still wearing tennis shoes and dearfoam boots most of the time.) At this point I am starting to feel that I may have over extended myself. (At this point . . . my tree is up, and the lights are on it . . . but it is NOT decorated.) I am also getting my Christmas cards out later than I usually do. I have done my shopping and wrapping, but that is it. Well, it is time to decorate . . .
After all . . . it is Christmas eve . . . I am told that in the days of old that is when people did their decorating. . . (I try to justify the reason this has not been accomplished.)

The grands enjoyed the gag gifts that I placed in their stockings better than anything . . . except maybe candy.

Well, with all the hoopla crammed into 4 tiny little weeks, we just had our family get together with brothers and their families on Saturday. It was fun, and good to see everyone. I got broiled tilapia (as I have gained 10 more pounds since Thanksgiving!) Here is my newest grand-niece, Alle Kate, at the restaurant:

And now here it is, mid January, and my decorations are still up. I had a little visitor at my kitchen window telling me that I need to take down the decorations and get with the program!

It startled me, as my camilia "bush" does not usually bloom until February . . . (Could we be getting an early spring??? These girls could be confused with the warmer weather that we had at the beginning of last week . . .) Look how full of buds!!!

Anyhow, here on January 14th, 2008 . . . I am wishing each and everyone of you a blessed New Year!

Love,
Carmen Denise
(AKA SongofJoy)

Thanksgiving 2007

SongofJoy57 — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 22:12:07 -0500

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:12 am (GMT 0)

Erik was hungry !!!!

Most of our food would not fit on my table because it is small. The menfolk like to watch the game while they eat, and Karen and I sat with the children in the dining room. Everyone enjoyed everything, but took dessert home as they were stuffed. I could not find any sectional plates with a fall theme . . . but the children liked the Christmas plates, and turkey napkins.

L to R . . . David, Erik, Adam, Karen & Tyler, and my fiance' Robb.

Our friend from SC did not come until Saturday so he got leftovers today, after he and Robb cut two good loads of wood.

My Family

SongofJoy57 — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:27:18 -0500

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 2:27 pm (GMT 0)

Erik Blake turned 7 in January, and is Tyler's big brother. He wanted a baby sister badly, so he could be the "big brother." When we found out that the baby was a boy, he appeared to lose some of his enthusiasm. I reminded him that he would still be the big brother. He quickly corrected me saying, "No MeeMaw . . . I will be "the boss of it now." He is playing basketball again this year, and was reading on the fourth grade level in the first grade. (His parents always read to him before he could read.) We get along so well, and enjoy spending time together. We like to go to bed early, and get up early. We love nature, and he is so fun to be around.

This is my youngest grandson, Tyler Marley. He turned two in September. (This picture is from last spring before he was weaned.) He is a very unique character . . . very moody . . . and more dramatic than any baby that I have seen in my fifty years going through the terrible twos. He calls me "Umm-Maw." I have gotten him interested in birds, and we watch them at the birdfeeder from the porch."

These are my two sons, David Mikeal and Robert Adam, and my oldest grandson, Erik Blake. Adam was 26 in May,and David was 19 in June. Adam is Tyler's and Erik's dad, and his wife Karen was working, (or she would be in these pictures too! I will do a piece on her later.) Adam loves anything Irish, collects dragons, and is an engraver by trade. David loves music, cars, and is starting to become interested in social issues. He prepares food at a local restaurant. He is not married or dating, but is a very lonely guy. Although he does not talk about it much. . . his self esteem is very low at this point of his life. His girlfriend of about 5 years moved to Kentucky, and he has not met anyone yet. I pray that the right one will come along someday. He is such a caring and considerate person . . . even if he is mine. (No, I know my children have faults too. LOL!!!) Both of my sons love art, and always enjoy doing sketches in their spare time. I have raised them by myself for the most part, and I think we are closer because of the struggles we have had to go through in our lives. I always wanted girls until I became pregnant. I wanted seven daughters, and had names picked out for each one of them by the time I was 12. I wouldn't trade what God decided I could raise best for anything in the world.

Busy Saturday morning

SongofJoy57 — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 09:34:27 -0400

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:34 pm (GMT 0)

I have added my pictures now . . .or what I have that best match up to my blog. (Click here to view them.)
I have my two grandsons with me, and we are going to an art crawl in Newton today. We have had breakfast and filled the birdfeeder, and now we must get ready! Take care & blessings.

Aunt Etta Lee Pruitt in front of her twirly gigs in her yard on Saturday, November 3rd, 2007. She had not slept well the night before and was in low spirits, but looks quite stunning in her black outfit despite the poor sleep the night before. (She is in her seventies.) She joined us for the art crawl and lunch right after this was taken. My grandsons (Erik & Tyler) and I enjoyed our time with her on that day.

Hickory Teabushes

SongofJoy57 — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 09:46:01 -0400

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 1:46 pm (GMT 0)

In the Sherrill's Ford section of Catawba County, NC near the old gold mine, there is a section of property still fondly remembered by old-timers who still abide there as the "Old Barnes Homeplace."

I am told that the house caught fire one day while Elsie Barnes, my grandmother, was roasting peanuts.

Not long after, the family moved to Newton. My father, John Douglas, was still serving in the Korean War at this unfortunate time.

Not so many years ago, if you walked up the overgrown lane, you could see the huge cedars that Daddy and Aunt Elaine planted as saplings ions ago. My dad told me the year they were planted and how old he and Elaine were during that time period.

Unfortunately, this tidbit of information has been lost to an ailment that I fondly call "Old-Timers Syndrome." The chimney to the old house still loomed in the midst of tangled trees and honeysuckle vine. [IMG] And if you went in the late spring, and had a very keen eye, you would see purple irises, my grandmother's favorite flower, and daffodills still competing with the weeds. She loved flowers, and I recall that everyplace that she lived, flowers adorned her yard.

If you looked to your left, tucked snuggly in the tall weeds and brambles by a pigpath of a road, you would see an old coupe, once driven by Uncle Wayne, abandoned where it "gave up the ghost" decades ago.
During my childhood, Daddy would take us there, from time to time. I remember looking around, and prompting him with a question, "Daddy, where are those Hickory Teabushes?" He turned, and gave the question considerable thought,"Hickory Teabushes?" I elaborated on my honest question, "Yes Daddy, Hickory Teabushes. You know, you said when you were a child, Granddaddy Barnes would cut a switch from a bush, and make the hickory tea run down your legs." My dad laughed and then went on to explain what he really meant. Needless to say, I was very embarrassed at my own limited point of view.
Years later, after my mom and dad moved to Clearmont, Florida, when they came up for the Christmas holidays, he always made a point to drop in and pay a visit to the Edwards' Family, old neighbors from an era gone by, and to bring them some Florida sunshine (citrus fruit) as a gift of old friendship.
I returned to that section of the county, about a year ago, but could not access the road. There are private property signs and a new sawmill barring the way down memory lane. I couldn't see the ancient cedar trees, daffodils or majestic irises, but to my amazement the hickory teabushes were still thriving in abundance, and seemed to be screaming out, "Beware, to all children who don't listen to their parents!"

Fall Brings Out My Best

SongofJoy57 — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 09:56:48 -0400

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:56 pm (GMT 0)

Pumpkin bread muffins with coffee . . . for my household. . . I love the fall!!!

Wish you were here to enjoy!!!

My Hens and Chicks . . . I have had them for about 15 years . . .

My mom used to grow her's in a washpan when she was alive . . . My seventy five year old aunt gave me these long ago . . .

Easy Like Sunday Morning . . .

SongofJoy57 — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 09:31:41 -0400

Author: SongofJoy57
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:31 pm (GMT 0)

I love my weekends, and love the fall of the year . . .

These are my newest girls . . . They looked sort of pitiful until the weather cooled down a little . . . I also have been watering them about once a week. . . (We are in a drought situation here.)

I had to go out of town on business this week, and we had a little rain while I was gone . . . I was so pleased to go out back, and visit with them when I returned. I love to pinch . . . pinch . . . pinch them, and deadhead them also!!!

Would you like to know a little more about caring for mums in an enjoyable way? (My mom is gone on to Our Maker.) I learned from reading a short story back in my college American Literature class. It is "Chrysanthamums," by John Steinbeck. It is a wonderful short story, and has some good tips for caring for mums in it. It was written in 1938, and takes place in the Salinas Valley in California. I also think we gardners can also relate to the woman in the story as it goes along. Copy Paste Read Enjoy
www.nbu.bg/webs/amb/american/4/steinbeck/chrysanthemums.htm