He's Back!!!

     We decided not to have a garden this year. I've suffered through some health issues plus we decided to put our home (that we've been in for over 30 years) on the market. Louie & I thought a garden would be way too much work for us right now. We were right because we have been super busy. This summer it's been wonderful having Sarah spend most of her days with us! Daddy was looking forward to having Sarah visit him at least once a week. But...for 2 weeks in a row...on the days we were to visit Daddy something prevented Sarah from coming with us. He missed seeing her & she missed seeing him. Well today was the day for a visit with Granddad Ricketts!

Sarah was happy as we headed down the road to go over the river & through the woods to Granddad's house! As we passed the drive that leads to our old garden...Sarah noticed the gate was open & she thought Granddad would be at the garden so...we turned down the lane. As we approached the garden we could see Daddy hoeing his corn. On second glance Sarah exclaimed...Monty look Gammy it's Monty! Monty's back...Sure enough there he was standing guard over the squash, greenbeans & corn that Daddy had planted.

When I'd told Daddy that we wouldn't plant a garden this year, I explained that I just wasn't up to the work & having the garden then canning is work. Well Bless his heart when Daddy planted planted his corn, he with the help of my sister, planted squash & green beans to make sure we'd have some fresh veggies to eat. Now I ask you...how heart warming is that? Daddy has provided for his family all of these years & he is still making sure we have fresh veggies to eat! I do love this man! 

 

As soon as the truck stopped Sarah was out & headed to her Granddad Ricketts. It wasn't long before he was showing her how to hoe the corn.

 

 

When the time came to head over to Granddad's farm, Sarah decided she was riding with Granddad!

I don't know which one of them was happier.

I treasure these moments with these dear loved ones.

As they left us behind...I thought of how very blessed I am to be able to share adventures like this with my 85 year young Daddy & my 10 year old granddaughter. I hope she'll remember these adventures for a long, long time. 

 

When they finally took a rest... hugs, laughs and stories were shared. These two had lost time to make up for. When it came time for us to head for home, Granddaddy Ricketts told Sarah he was so happy to see her... then he said, don't stay away for so long...I had to wipe the tears from my eyes.

 

Well Dear Ones...it's been a while but I'm sending you all Love & Warm Hugs!

Mark this day on the calendar!

This is a red letter day...why you ask...because it is the 8th day of October and we finally had enough ripe and partial ripe ripe tomatoes to make 1 1/2 bushels!!!

 

Now most of you know we've been expecting these babies for a long time! When we pulled up to go down the drive to the garden we saw Daddy

on the gator just ahead of us!

 

We had a short visit with Daddy last week so I was excited to see his smiling face this morning! He was excited because Louie picked him some tomatoes and turnips. He said the tomatoes were for lunch and the turnips were for supper! He filled us in on his adventure making apple sauce. He said that my sister made apple dumplings over the weekend. But he saved his biggest news for last...his refrigerator broke again and this time he bought a new one! Oh happy days! I am so glad that Daddy bought a new one. His motto is "bent not broken" and he can fix just about anything and if he can't fix it he recycles it because everything has a use. Waste not want not. So...for him to buy something new is a big deal! He decided to take his check book to pay for his purchase and he told me he was sorry he messed up 2 checks then my sister wrote the 3rd and he signed it. The first check he made out to Sears because Momma & Daddy use to buy their appliances at Sears which is fine but he was in Best Buys at the time so...void #1. Then he put the wrong date on the check and they wouldn't take it so...void # 2. Thank goodness my sister was with him to write the 3rd one. I could care less about the voids and told him not to worry about it. I'm just so happy he bought something that he needed! I'm proud of you Daddy!

 

It was wonderful being at the garden. I believe I've told y'all a time or two how it is my "Happy Place". Even feeling sick and tired doesn't seem as bad when I'm there. While there I have a peaceful, happy heart and as I was counting my many blessings...I heard Louie say we are blessed. After Louie & I finished harvesting our veggies we went to Daddy's and there he was true to his word...peeling his tomato for lunch! We had another wonderful visit. Funny how doing something that is no big thing can mean so very much and make your heart sing...for me it was watching my amazing guys have lunch and laugh at each others stories! I love seeing the light in their eyes when they laugh. All too soon it was time to head for home to take care of our veggies. We'll be having a pot of greens, turnips, squash fried with bacon all fresh from the garden and some kind of meat for Louie!

 

In a few days time our tomatoes will be ripe and we'll be doing tomato sauce & goulash! Hope y'all are enjoying this wonderful Fall!

 

Sending Warm Hugs!

 

 

 

When you leave home you never know where you'll end up...

As we prepared to go to the garden this morning Louie decided to take Richard's trailer and collect the Black Walnut Logs he'd cut earlier this summer. So first we visit with Daddy and I'm glad to say he was in good spirits. Daddy has Louie show him what chain he has for the logs and Daddy decides that Louie needs to use Daddy's chains. Next thing you know Louie & Daddy take off on the Gator & I get to drive the truck with the trailer on the back. Well that was a new experience for me! Must have done an OK job because the truck, trailer & me all arrived safely! As the men went about the job of getting the logs on the trailer...Daddy on the tractor & Louie the ground man...I decided the best thing I could do was stay in the garden so I wouldn't be so nervous watching them. All went well and no one was hurt! I believe I've told y'all a time or two that...give my Daddy a tractor and the man can do just about anything! My time in the garden was productive! I picked yellow squash & cucumbers...Yes after waiting all summer we have squash & cucumbers!!! But that's not all folks I found a pretty good sized zucchini...hmmm...zucchini cake anyone? I picked what I hope will be the last time on the LONG row of green beans. The only reason I hope it's the last picking of that row is because we have two more rows loaded with blooms! One of those rows is just as long as the LONG row! Next I went tomato hunting. By the time I found a beautiful ripe one the men were done and as Daddy slowly rode by I held it up for him to see and his smile was as bright as the sun! Thank you Daddy for helping Louie and for brightening my day with your smile. Next came Louie and he decided to help hunt for tomatoes. We found some gorgeous ones but as we picked them the bottom was rotten. However we found enough to bring some home!!! As we were leaving I "thought" we'd be headed home...but no homeward bound for us...the next part of our adventure was just beginning! We were headed to Amish Country down in St. Mary's County to the lumber mill. We turn off the main road onto a dirt road and we slowly drive & drive & drive it looks like we're going through some yards & I'm starting to wonder if Louie remembers where this place is but...never fear...we're here. I am amazed at this place it has all kinds of interesting things to see. There's a big machine that removes the bark, then another machine to cut the wood and there are giant logs all over the place neatly stacked high as tall as the roof of the building. Louie talks to the man then we leave & once again I think we're headed home and once again I realize we're going in the opposite direction. He wants to take the trailer back to Richard. By this time I'm so hungry that I have a headache. Louie doesn't want to stop for a bite to eat till we unhook the trailer which makes sense however it doesn't make the hunger pains go away. Finally we reach the bridge and pay the toll. Louie says to the lady in the toll booth that'll be $6.00 and she replies nuh uh that'll be $12.00. She's laughing as we pull off. He says well I'm glad I made her laugh that's what it's all about brightening someones day! We finally reach Richard's and unload the trailer. Now I'm really ready to eat so we stop for a burger and eat as we drive...at long last headed for home! Oh when you've been sitting in a truck driving for 5 to 6 hours there really is no place like home! Fresh hot cup of coffee, heat pad, laptop and a story to tell! That was my adventure today...hope you had a good one!

       Sending Warm Hugs!

We're getting there...

This morning as we head to the garden...Louie has a plan in mind...he'll rake the hills and I'll plant more squash & cucumber seeds to replace the ones the turkeys ate. Poor old Monty can't seem to keep all of those pesky turkeys away! How do we know it's turkeys you ask??? Well they're polite enough to leave their calling cards behind! Their feathers are everywhere! A few of the last ones we planted have sprouted. The ground is so very dry.

Next Louie plans to side dress the 1st row of green beans (which is really about the 3rd row we've planted but the first row to amount to anything) while I weed. Sounds doable to me! This is a nice cool morning and there is a breeze. It is so peaceful here.

 

Just a few blooms on the green beans...hope it rains soon...we've had rain all around us but not a drop here!




Oh Boy we have a small Egg Plant! Grow Baby Grow!

I've said it before and I'll say it again this has not been our year for the garden but...we're getting there folks! July 28th and we've got us a green tomato!!! Hot Diggity Dog! Sooner or later I'm gonna have me a tomato sammy!

 

 At long last we seem to have gotten the weeds under control! That is till the next visit to the garden. Pulling weeds is a never ending job at the garden!

I'm so thankful to have a smaller garden this year!

 Poor Monty looks as hot and dry as the ground. Did I mention how much we need some rain?










 Hey hey hey we have 3 small green peppers!

Well this should answer the age old question...How does your garden grow! That's all for now folks. Hope y'all enjoyed taking a look at our garden. Till next time...

Sending Warm Hugs!

The Great War of the Noodles!!!

It was a beautiful warm July day and Sarah had been waiting and waiting all day long to get in the swimming pool! After lunch Sarah asked if she could go swimming...Please Gammy she pleaded with that look on her face that I first saw years ago on Louie, then on Wendy, who I must say gave "the look" with perfection and now Sarah has picked it up. I didn't want her to see me laugh so I answered go ask your Granddad, knowing full well he wouldn't be able to resist "the look". The best way I can describe it is... the mouth has almost a pout to it and the eyes are like a puppy dog's. Then when you say yes the pout becomes the biggest smile ever and the eyes light up & sparkle! Wendy used "the look" on me for years until she hit thirty and I told her don't give me "the look" it won't work any more use it on Bill (her husband). I'm not sure if "the look" started with Louie's Mom or not but I saw her use it on C.R. many times and it always seemed to work.

Any how back to the story at hand...Sarah had her swimsuit on before you could say Jack Robin and I heard... I'm ready for my sunscreen Gammy. I chuckled as I thought...I'm ready for my close up...I gave Sarah a kiss on her cheek for no other reason than... just because. We covered her in sunscreen and she was off to the pool. Now the pleading started again...Granddad will you get in the pool...P-L-E-A-S-E!!! Grandad says after I drink my coffee. So Sarah swims and waits...as soon as Louie takes the last sip of coffee she pounces...Granddad now will you swim with me??? So Louie gets his swimsuit on and into the pool he goes. Well...here's where the fun begins. The water guns come out and the laughter is abundant the next thing I know they are bopping each other with the noodles. I ask what in the world are you two doing??? Sarah says as innocent as can be we're having the Great War of the Noodles Gammy as she lands one right on Louie's head. So...the battle begins again!

 It al started when Sarah collected all of the noodles...

 then she splashed Louie with all of the noodles.

One splash led to another...

The next thing I heard was Sarah saying...Oh it's on now Granddad!

and the rest is history...it was one for the record books!

Sending Warm Hugs

 

Digging Potatoes

We've had the pleasure of having our granddaughter Sarah's company this week! Today she went with us on a garden adventure. It was not too hot today & there was a nice breeze...perfect day for the garden! As we drove down the lane Sarah kept a sharp eye out for any wildlife that may be lurking about...she said, Gammy get your camera ready! I asked, what do you hope to see? Turkeys and I'm going to call them. Sarah put her face right up to the open window and started hollering, gobble gobble gobble! As we turned down by Uncle Buddy's corn...there were turkeys! They were all the way down at the end of the row. Hope you can see the turkeys. They're headed for the woods. Sarah's yelling, get it Gammy, get it! Louie & I were laughing like crazy!

As we pull around near our garden we see Monty standing guard.

Sarah & I went right to work pulling the remaining beets. We got enough to fill our basket! Granddad was digging potatoes and Sarah said I want to dig potatoes Granddad. Now y'all know darn good & well Granddad said...sure Sarah you can help! Well I went off to pull some corn and I could hear them laughing & joking...it was music to my ears & joy to my heart! I thought I've got to get a picture of this!

 As Louie would loosen the soil with his shovel, Sarah would holler Granddad stop!!! Then she would dive for the potatoes! Oh she was covered with dirt but happy as could be! Then I heard her say..."Oh it's a Big One & I found it!!! Uh Huh Sarah got the big one!".

After we collected all of the potatoes the two of them had dug, we needed to clean up a bit before going over to see Granddad Ricketts. Sarah & I sit on the tail gate & Louie drives ever so slow, knowing he has precious cargo in the back, to where we keep the water so we can clean up. As we go down a dip Sarah lets out a YaHoo! As we reach where the water is at...

many more laughs are shared as the water starts splashing about.

Once we reach the farm...I wish I had the camera ready to snap a picture of Daddy's face light up when he saw Sarah! The two of them hugged & hugged as if it had been a long time since they saw each other. Sarah told him about calling the turkeys & then seeing the turkeys, picking beets, and digging potatoes! Then she ran to get some to show him. She was so proud of herself. Daddy sat there listening to every word as if this moment was the most important thing in the world. What a special moment this was for me too! I doubt I'll ever forget the look on both of their faces...it was like when two best friends are sharing the story of their latest adventure. This really was one of our best adventures at the garden!

Sending Warm Hugs!

Yesterday I saw the garden...

Yesterday's Adventure started with running errands then on the way to Daddy's we had a surprise quick visit with Beth & Ronnie which is always fun.

Once again on the road we were headed to Daddy's and as we rode I hoped Louie would stop by the garden. Oh how we have both missed the garden. It is a magic place for us...you loose yourself while there. Maybe it's because we both come from folks who tilled the soil to feed their family but we find the peace of our surroundings is contagious and we sure have a happy peaceful heart when we leave.

We stopped by the garden & my heart fell when I saw all of the weeds. After 30 days of not being able to tend it, what did I expect? But now Louie has mended from his surgery so...it'll be hoe, hoe, hoe for us! The plants have made a feast for the bugs, deer, ground hogs, turkeys and whatever other critters have been to visit our garden.  Once again the crows have enjoyed Daddy's corn. I have to tell y'all this years family of ground hogs are bold indeed! As if to taunt us they come right on out to say hello. Before we are able to do anything about it they run under the barn. As soon as we got out of the truck while Louie surveyed the garden...Terry commenced to pulling some weeds. It will take weeks to get this garden right but hey Rome wasn't built in a day and we're not quitters so soon as it's dry enough we'll be in the garden! I did notice we have blooms on what's left of the green beans. Louie's so wanting to get the tomatoes & pepper plants in the ground, We'll have late ones for sure.

As we head over to Daddy's, we're trying to miss the really muddy parts of the path and as we're almost at the turn we see Daddy on the gator. He's been in the hay field checking things out and he doesn't see us right away but when he does he gets the biggest smile on his face! Sure warms my heart! The rain once again starts to come down and he takes off pretty darn quick, trying to avoid getting soaked. We reach the farm to find him sitting there under the "carpoarch" waiting for us...wet but smiling! Before our visit ends Louie climbs a ladder & cleans the gutter on the back of the shop. He figures...his 30 days are up...he wants to test the waters! No holding him back now.

When it's time to head for home...I notice my hug from Daddy is a little tighter and a little longer. Oh how grateful I am to have my Daddy. My goodness...I do love this wonderful man.

Sending Warm Hugs!

Last year on this date this is how our garden looked...far cry from this year!