May 27, 2023

Posted on May 27, 2023 by

I picked up Kath at a little after 8am and we headed out Home. We had a trunk full of flowers, kneelers, gloves, trowels, water, rags, garden shoes, and sunshine.

First thing we did was stop at Donna’s store, and got cheese for Autmn/Noah and for me. Also got some candy for Nate and I to split. We went up the road a bit to the Smicksburg cemetery and planted flowers on the Cornman graves, Uncle Dan, and baby Sophie. Beth had already been there and planted but we added a bit to it.

The second cemetery was Old Mahoning, where Uncle Jim and Aunt Dolly and Susan (Crooks) are buried. We planted several flowers there, then moved on. From there we went past the cabin driveway but it was too overgrown and rutted to pull in. We only pulled over long enough to pick up a few stones for in my garden (and one for Kathy’s window sill). We saw Josh outside getting ready to mow so stopped and talked to him for a few minutes.

The third cemetery was in Sagamore where our grandparents – Jess and Erma Crooks – are buried, along with Mom’s Uncle Edd and HER grandparents. Again, Beth had been there but we added a few to hers. Kathy had bought granite cleaner and spent some time cleaning the headstones. I think we improved it just a bit.

Uncle Edd – I was 8 when he passed but I do remember him pretty well.

Mom’s great grandparents – or was it great, great?

There were so many iris growing around James and Margaret Crooks that I dug up a small cluster and brought them home to plant. I know those iris have been growing there for a very long time.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Iris-Crooks-5-23.jpg — This is the grandmother that lived with my Mom’s family when she was growing up. See the iris?

Once we were officially done planting, we went back down Sinktown Road and popped in to see Gail and Jack. It was a nice visit and we were glad they were home! By now it was after lunch time so we went back to Donna’s store to get hot dogs but they only had one left! Kath and I split the hot dog and shared cheese and chips before heading over to visit AJ/UC.

That too was a nice visit, with several trips back memory lane and a few laughs – and lots of stories. It was hard to leave but we had miles to go! We stopped near an Amish farm and took a picture of a new mama horse and her colt before heading down Route 119 toward home (not Home!).

It was such a lovely day and beautiful weather – and great company. We not only went back memory lane but we made new memories in the process.

I knew I couldn’t slack, so I planted the iris right away, then pulled weeds between the fences. Dottie’s fence is loose again so I was afraid to work under the loose part. I’ll get weed killer and spray through the fence tomorrow. I’m not risking the fence falling on my head!

The iris were tired too. They sort of fell over….

The car was brown and dirty from the back roads so I finished up the day by washing it. My neighbor came over and offered me a bunch of peonies – pink and white – which I put in a vase on the deck. They still had ants on them so I didn’t want to bring them inside. But I can see them from where I sit! All in all it was a great day, and I’m ready to be done!