All hail to Hempfield High!  Sunday, August 23, 2015, the class of 1968 had a huge birthday party to celebrate our collective 65th birthdays!  What a great time we had!  There were guests from other grad years, as well, and it was great to catch up with people we haven’t seen in a very long time, and to connect with some old (??? Old??? Did I say Old???  Sorry….) and dear friends.

Chatted with Ernie Hertzog, our class president and a long-time church youth group friend, and his wife Patty.  Also, spent time with Debbie Yanosko Gretz, Carol Metrik, Diane Meyers (Crazy Aunt Diane!!!), Mark Vallozzi, and several others. Several special people were missing, but hopefully they will be there for our next event.

Realized that the guy I see walking every morning in my neighborhood – with his golden retriever – is a fellow grad, and lives just up the hill.  Small world!  They call me the purple lady, because I always wear purple and I live in a purple house. (Well, purple shutters.)

One of the highlights for me was connecting up to a guy who came searching me out, wanting to tell me about knowing my dad.  Dad’s been gone over 30 years, and to have someone pay tribute to him with such kind words of praise and fond remembrances and respect – especially on his ‘birthday’!! – was very touching to me.  Thanks, Jan, for sharing with me.  So glad my dad – Cliff Steiner – made such a lasting impressing on your life.

I went back and looked for a few other photos, and found two.  One is with my best friend, Gen Cerk Morris, and the photo is from 1998.  The other one is from the 45th reunion in 2013. Again with Gen, and with Diane Meyers. We didn’t change much, did we??!!!

I’ve never been one for big social events and don’t normally mix well in crowds, but Sunday’s event was just what we needed, and I want to take a second to thank the hard-working committee for putting this together, and for already making us look forward to the reunion!  Let’s go Spartans!!!!

Once again last weekend I had the extreme pleasure of helping to usher at the Ligonier Theatre – this time for the presentation of OKLAHOMA.  Of all the plays that I’ve attended and ushered for, this one was in the top several of my favorites.

I had – of course – seen OKLAHOMA when I was young – very MUCH younger! – and remembered the details vividly. And as I expected, the talent of the actors and singers was excellent!  They did a fabulous job – every single one! – and I truly enjoyed the evening.

As is also the norm, after the show I had Bear sign my program and pose with me for a photo.  I have quite a collection by now, and treasure every single one.  Bear and I have been friends for a VERY long time – although neither of us are a day of 25!  Ha!

The play continues this weekend – August 14, 15, 16… so if you’re local, I highly recommend it!

I never get tired of watching him act, seeing the plays, being in the audience….  He’s a special guy, a great friend, and lots of fun.  Here’s to many, many more performances, Bear!  God Bless!!!!

THE TOMATO HARVEST

In all the 40-plus years that I have been visiting the 40 acre farm in Albion, PA, one thing has remained constant.  That is, the garden.  Our first visit back in the 1980’s found my young children hiding in the rows of corn and learning about carrots growing beneath the soil. 

 It was a lot of work, creating that garden patch.  The trickiest part was the timing; to know when the last frost had threatened and when the rains would not wash away seeds or young sprouting plants.  Most years, the gardener won; other times, nature tipped the scales. We monitored the progress on our frequent trips, seeing the corn ripen and the cucumbers vine around and sneak past the garden’s boundaries.  We picked green and yellow beans, dug potatoes in the fall, and watched to see how huge the pumpkins would grow before they broke free from the stems.

Although the kids preferred the corn and the carrots, my favorite always was, and still is, the tomato.  The tiny plants would be nursed in mini containers inside under a heat lamp, started in late winter, and be cautiously transplanted when the spring sun would be sure to warm them sufficiently.

 I still travel to Albion to visit my mom and step dad as frequently as schedules and weather allows, and taking the garden walk is still part of the experience.  Since my mom’s touch had been added, along with the ‘truck patch’, flower beds blossom in profusion where once flat, even fields lay silent and green.  So many times, my ride home included diggings or cuttings or bounty from their gardens, and many plants are growing happily in the Greensburg sun.

But after a while, since those mid-1980’s, Father Time has taken its toll on the energy and exuberance of step-father John.  The once-enormous vegetable garden has diminished considerably, with only a few meager offering now springing from the narrow furrows.  The last trip north, I walked with them to the garden to view the one tangled cucumber vine, a few thinned bean sprouts, and some marigolds to keep the rabbits away.

 Ah, but there were still tomatoes!  In a huge garden ‘box’, purchased and constructed for that exact purpose (including a watering tube and a reservoir underneath), thrived a number of beautiful, tall, healthy tomato plants.  Jetstar, I was informed, as I gazed on the lovely sight.  Even the fragrance of the dark green leaves, yellow bell-like blossoms, and marble-sized green nubs drew me in. They couldn’t ripen fast enough for me!

 This past weekend, I was again on the farm, and spent three days with my parents. As we were packing the car to come home, John asked me if I would eat the first ripe tomato from his box garden if he picked it.

“I’d love that! I love tomatoes! But are you sure you want to sacrifice your first crop?”

 “Sure. It’s ripe enough to pick, but let it sit on the window sill for a day or two in the sun before you slice it. I’ll walk out and get it for you.”

 John took his cane, and his 94 years, and went to the garden for my tomato. I carefully padded and packed that tomato into my bag for the long trip back to Greensburg. It would be tomorrow night’s dinner.

 Now, there are undoubtedly lots of ways to grow a garden. Tilling the soil, planting, watering, weeding, harvesting. Setting out scarecrows or aluminum pie pans to ward off nibblers. All of these things are very important.

But the most important way to grow and harvest a garden is with love. And that tomato – perfect color and taste! – was the best gift of love that I’ve had in a very long time. And let me tell you that nothing could taste better.

Well, another Dan Rice Days has come and gone.  It’s the first weekend of August, every year, and it’s in Girard PA, where LETTERS TO MARY takes place (partially). 

It was a beautiful weekend – the weather and the setting were perfect.  We were under trees, with our shade canopy to protect us from falling ‘issues’, and sandwiched between Gary (the bottlecap necklace seller) and Patty (the garden club ticket-pusher!).  Lovely people, and were supportive with help and patience.

Autmn and I got there about 1pm on Friday, and together struggled to put the canopy together and get the table set up.  She was a big help and very creative with helping arrange everything to look attractive and draw people’s attention.

The first thing that happened was that Autmn went to get her face painted.  She had an ‘allowance’ of spending money, and that was priority.  I loved the design she chose and was sorry the next morning when it was smeared to the point that she had to wash it off.  So glad for photos!

Saturday’s day pretty much got into the swing of things with the parade.  Dan Rice himself lead the way down main street with lots of fun (and candy-throwing

floats!) to follow.

I was fortunate enough to sell a number of books, and had people come up to me to say how much they had enjoyed reading LETTERS TO MARY that they purchased last year. 

My favorite sale was to a very young couple.  She was captivated by the Civil War and the project of the actual letters, and asked the price of the book.  She looked up at him and said she really wanted to purchase the book.  He stood tall and said, “I’ll get it for you!”

“Oh, are you SURE you want to do that?” “Of course.”  He pulled out his wallet and handed me $20, and I gave him change.  I autographed the book to ERICA (with a ‘c’!) and she rewarded him with a big KISS.  They were both beaming when they walked away!  Ahhhh, young love!  I wish them lots of years of happiness and kisses – and reading good books!

Before the afternoon was much underway, Autmn took a little more of her money and got another face painting.  I’m not sure which I liked best – they both looked so cute on her pretty young face!

Many thanks to Autmn for her help, and for her patience, and her great gift of salesmanship!  She was really drawing them in!  And another big thanks to my parents who offered hospitality and the sacrifice of letting us spent the days playing in Girard! 

So until next year, Happy Reading!

Today is the anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s historic walk on the moon.  It is also the anniversary of a very special person’s entrance to THIS planet.  My mother!

Mom and I are in the top left photo.  It’s from an album she made for me from my childhood, and it’s a precious gift and wonderful memories. She has always been there for me, and supported me, and encouraged and guided and yes, even lectured me!  I needed it, and still do!

This is a photo of mom with her baby sister Joan having some water fun.  They are still close and appreciate and love each other!

And this is Joan and Mom (left) last year- the two original members of the Skunk Hollow Girls!  Love these ladies!

Mom, I may have ‘grown up’ to be taller than you, but you are a giant in my eyes.  You are a great lady, a wonderful example, a Godly and precious woman, and a very special person to everyone who knows you.  Happy 85th birthday Mom – Kathy and I – and ALL of your family and friends – love you and wish you 85 HEALTHY and HAPPY more to come!!!

My sister and I had a lovely weekend visiting with Mom and John.  We left early Saturday and – after a brief stop to pick up a happy-to-you carrot cake for mom – arrived to a yummy lunch of potatoes, chicken breasts, broccoli, apple sauce, salad, and gravy.  Following a quick clean up, Kath and I went outside to help in the gardens.  Saturday’s job was to cut back dead branches on a flowering thorn bush.  We both have the scars to prove we did a great job! 

We were just finishing up when the neighbor down the road drove by with his two huge draft horses.  I think their names were Bob and Chubbs.  Bob was the taller one.  Their owner explained that it took about $300 a week to feed them.  He bathed them daily and got them all the exercise they could possibly need.  They were extremely intimidating!  Kath loved them, but then, she had a horse at one time and was way more comfortable with them.

Early Sunday morning Kathy and I – as usual – got up early and took our 2 mile walk before breakfast.  At the end of Keepville road is a spillway that flows into a wide, shallow creek surrounded by trees and lined with rocks.  It was refreshing in the quiet morning, as well as peaceful.  After a wonderful message by Pastor Byron Gurnee and a left-over lunch (yummy one!), Kath and I attacked the weeds in the lily garden.  Three hours, 4 dirty feet, two sweaty bodies, and dozens of scratches later the garden looked fresh and happy – as were the rest of us from a job well done. 

All in all a beautiful weekend with cherished family!  Treasures of the best kind!

This past week was insane.  Very fun and fulfilling, but insane!  Hempfield Church of Christ had their summer Vacation Bible School, and had a whirlwind week of Bible lessons, life applications, missions, snacks, recreation, more snacks, song time, and genuine fellowship. 

On top of that, I worked a full week at Smail’s, 3 nights and two lunch hours at Pinnacle, and attended the open house of the newly remodeled Mercedes dealership (which is fabulously wonderful, of course!).

My night to teach the lesson was on Monday, and I taught the lesson that God’s love is incredible through Moses and the burning bush.  The kids (pre-school through 4th grade) were all great listeners and enjoyed hearing the story as told by Moses’ wife.  I love teaching the little ones, and along with a ‘burning’ bush, a flock of stuffed sheep, two lions and a bear, it truly made the lesson come alive.

Thursday was my birthday, and my dear friends and co-teachers Mary and Joni brought a chocolate chip cookie to share with the teachers.  My favorite!  It was a great night, and a great week, and I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to serve God by teaching and to have such wonderful friends.  Blessings abound!

I did decide, however, not to celebrate any more birthdays the week of VBS.  I REALLY feel my age after running six days in a row, working, picking up the girls, working and/or teaching, delivering the girls home, and getting my home chores done.  Looking back on the week, though, it was a delight to share with so many wonderful people in a place ordained by God.

And I felt doubly blessed that I wasn’t Kyle, who was sacrificed as a giant S’more by 40 plus kids who covered him in Hershey’s syrup, pelted him with min-marshmallows, and dumped graham cracker crumbs on him!  Blessings do abound!  🙂

I had the delight and pleasure of spending this weekend with my family.  Kelly and Matt, with Peyton, Logan, and Chase, came up last night and we spent the evening at their friends’ new house in Ligonier.  It was my intense fun to entertain 3 month old Conner all evening.  We bonded.  I’m now officially his newest ‘grammie’!  Thanks, Trent and Michele for sharing! The girls – Chris and Autmn – joined us for the day on Saturday, and Nate rounded it out by being here for the hot dog roast over the fire pit for dinner.

Today after our morning walk and a few errands we spent the day outside.  Peyton led the group in his traditional safari to catch that pesky wabbit.  We had rabbit traps, string, ‘rabbit stew’, bags, boxes, wood, flowers, buckets, and every other type of tool necessary to trap and capture that rabbit.  Rosemary (as she was dubbed earlier in the spring), successfully avoided capture and is right now dwelling quite happily under the deck.  She comes out to nibble on the clover by the fence.

Every year there is a bunny living under the deck, and this year is no exception.  Other little bunnies have been named Herb and Herbette, and even the bigger guy living under the Pussy Willow tree is named Basil.  Reason being, they basically live on the herbs from my herb garden, just beside the deck.  Rosemary is no exception. 

The kids are of course disappointed that Rosemary alluded capture, but I am secretly quite happy.  We can continue in the peaceful existence of co-habitation.  However, right now there is about 6 miles of string and fishing line woven through my gardens, tied to fences, and strung through the shrubbery.  Oh well, something to do tomorrow!!!

My cabin grandparents – Jess and Erma Crooks – were such a huge part of my life!  Growing up spending time with them – and all the cousins (yes, our Skunk Hollow Girls!) was priceless.  I have little reminders throughout my home of those days – including the clock on the mantle behind them.

But basically, I’m an outdoor kind of girl, and my grama’s gardens were a thing of beauty and the envy of everyone who loved flower gardens.  I always said I was going to get married in her gardens, but they weren’t there when the time came.  Alas…. 

My mother inherited her mother’s knack for growing flowers and gardens, and I have been blessed to at least inherit the desire!  So every year for the last several years, in the spring and summer on trips to Mom and John’s farm, I would take a small clipping from a tea rose bush – that I believe she told me her mom got from her own mother.  But every year the bush would fizzle out and not bloom – then fade away and die over the winter.

Ah!  But finally, the efforts paid off!  Last year I took a small cutting and placed it in a place of honor, choosing a different location.  To my delight, this year, SUCCESS!  Not only is the bush growing, but is full of beautiful, pink clusters of small button roses.  I am very excited to be able to keep this tradition going.  Hopefully, one day one of my grandchildren will take a little delicate cutting and the roses will continue to bloom across the centuries.  God is smiling!  And so am I!

It was a perfect day for another Skunk Hollow Girls outing.  Nine of us got together at Linn Run State Park, and set out for a day of hiking, eating, and talking.  Mostly talking!  After a close call with a huge, undefinable snake (yuck!) up by Adams Falls, we walked back to a cabin on the hill above the water.  It was big but quaint, and Beth is determined to find out how much it will cost to rent.  Hoping we can –  That would be SO cool!

After our hike, we spread out the food – but not before we presented Gail with a bravery award.  The week before she had saved her mom the grief of a snake in their house by yanking a 4.5 foot black snake out of the outside dryer vent!  After numerous screams and an hysterical moment when the snake actually wrapped around Gail’s leg (Yes it did!) and slapped against Susan’s shoulder, we disposed of the intruder in an undisclosed manner. She definitely went above and beyond! 

Connie put together a scavenger hunt, and we divided into two teams:  the ‘kids’ (ages 50 to 60!) and the ‘oldies’ (60 plus).  It was a close finish, but those aggressive kids won by finding the illusive butterfly, which we oldies could not do.  They managed to find a pop can by dumpster diving, something I never in my life thought I would see our prim and sensitive Holly doing!

Prizes were awarded all around, and we headed for a final walk – down to Flat Rock to stick our feet in the water. A kind passer-by snapped a photo for us in front of a stone shell – which Kath described in great detail as belonging to a long-ago Uncle Charlie who founded the area over 100 years ago.  Yea, right.  Good try, Kath!

Gail, Colleen, Holly, Gwen, Kath, Me, Connie, Karen, and Beth.  We missed you, Susan!  NEXT TIME!  What a great adventure with the best kind of family and friends!