After the first frost 09

My garden is just about finished growing. Just about because I have 4 wonderful stems of brussels sprouts which will be fine throughout the winter. I think they are so amazing. They taste nothing like the store-bought ones.

Today is going to be my last day at Hick's Orchard. I just haven't had the hours that I need and I have been working weekends. Now I look forward to leading a normal working life. I will be able to join friends and family on weekends and go to church. All the things I have missed since July. Bash and I are going to be out in the UPick orchard today. It is cold and raw. We will have our car there to warm up in between customers.

I need to write about being a Fan. I realized last week that I have never experienced being a fan before in my life. Oh sure, I have said I was a fan of so and so but I have never been face to face with them. I was working in the winery at Slyboro Ciderhouse on the weekend. It was extremely busy in the wine room. I was giving tastings to approx. 9 people lined up at my station like recipients of Christian Communion. I was moving back and forth along the line of people which actually was about 4 deep as well. I had been having a really good time with some jolly people on the end of the counter when they parted and there stood a woman whose face was so familiar to me, it was like looking into the face of a dear friend or family member. I felt like I wanted to reach out and hug her close. Instead, I said, "Hi, I am one of your greatest fans." She asked me my name and we shook hands. I was speechless. It was Rachel Raye. She is just as pretty in person as she appears on TV. So that is what it is like to be a fan I thought.

Pete and I watched the Amazing Race the other night and we were both shocked that most of the participants could not correctly identify a photo of Jackie Kennedy. Why are people now-a-days so unaware of people who have made history? In an effort to be understanding, we searched our memories for images of former first ladies. We could both go back to FDR - we were young kids then and yet I would recognize Eleanor Roosevelt's photo. Those Americans on Amazing Race made me ashamed of them. They were in Cambodia and the Cambodians of every age knew who Jackie Kennedy was. Sad...

I haven't taken many photos this fall. It hasn't been as pretty as it usually is. So much rain and many cloudy days. I mowed my entire lawn last week just before the frost. It may be the last time. I discovered I have large areas of mole infestation. I will have to find a natural way of discouraging them from living in the main part of the lawn since I don't allow any poisons in my yard. They do make it tricky to walk though. Suddenly my foot sinks and twists. Easy to sprain an ankle.

I am finally going for Botoxin treatment this week in my eyes. I always put it off as long as possible since the after effects are difficult for about a month sometimes even longer. I think I have been 6 months this time. For 12 years I have gone every 3 mos for treatment so this was unusual. The only part of it has been I have limited my driving distance in the daytime and almost never drive at night. I pray the treatment works as it should this time so I can safely drive the MH to FL in Dec. I have a friend, Bernice, who wants to go along but I do have to teach her to drive the rig. She has been busy so we haven't done that yet. Also, I now have 2 dead starting batteries that are original equipment (10 yrs) and are done for. The replacements are very expensive but they have to be purchased. I have pumped lots of dollars into the coach this year and haven't used it once. }}:

I have begun editing my book and will publish it on the web soon. Web self-publishing is the way to go for writers such as myself. My creative juices have begun to flow again, Thanks be to God. I also have started a series of paintings from my grandson Will's photos. I call them Through Will's Eyes. I see the possibility of at least 4. The Barnyard Series from the last two years is nearly finished. There is one more I want to do of a chicken yard. Wish me continued "juicyness". Sometimes it is very difficult to muster.

Be well dear readers.....