Daybreak was especially beautiful this morning . . I know because I was there, at the “early service” on the rabbit patch.  The sky was a deep apricot color and seemed to light the fields.  I am always hopeful at sunrise.  

Against all the odds, according to the weatherman, it rained yesterday.  I was mowing, when it did.  I knew the sky looked like rain when I stepped out of the back door. I thought I smelled it, but the weatherman surely knew what he was talking about, especially with all of that fancy technology-so I started mowing.  The orchard was in an awful state and it does take a good part of the day to mow the territory.  I have been gone the past two weekends and I needed to do three days work, in two . . so when it started sprinkling, I kept on mowing.  The drops got bigger, but certainly it would pass.  I looked up and across the field I saw a white wall of rain coming my way.  In the country, you can see rain coming.  I was drenched by the time I put the mower up and was disappointed that the yard was only half done.

 I did see the french mulberry  and the butterfly bush, that now, gives good shade-blooming all along the young woods.  I also found a young rose of Sharon had planted itself along the picket fence.  I made a mental note to pot it for whenever I move, along with many other flowers.  Last but not least, there is still the “autumn joy” to brag about.  It is a rich shade of warm burgundy, now.  I love the way the color of the blooms change as the season progresses.

I came in and changed clothes and then dried my loyal dog off.  Cash had stayed right with me in that downpour, though he does not like to get wet.  I started washing linens and regretted they couldn’t line dry.  I washed blankets too and one load of clothes.  I washed all afternoon.  The bedspreads take so very long to dry that Christian and I had a frozen pizza for supper. We couldn’t even eat it at the kitchen table as the whole thing was covered in folded laundry.  

After the lovely dawn today, I made the pastry to add to the chicken and stock .  It is “Homecoming” at the church I attended as a child.  I remembered watching my grandmama making pastry, more than forty years ago.  She rolled the dough as thin as paper and cut it in neat little triangles.  I am always surprised how some of the most ordinary things get etched in  our hearts.  I do know for sure-at least in my case, that I remember events more than any thing , that was bought-unless you count ponies.

It does not look like rain, so when I get home, I have “my work cut out for me”.

Homecoming

I came home from church full in every way.  Tables were laden with everything you can imagine.  I saw a potato dish, brown and buttery.  I placed a heap of it beside my chicken and barbecue-only to find out later it was a pineapple dish!  That was a wonderful mistake.  I was able to track down the cook, and got the recipe.  It is very similar to a bread pudding and I plan to try it shortly.  

I did get to see the twins, Martha and Marsha.  We ate together along with my parents, sister and niece.  I have a lot of good memories with the twins.  They are hard workers and will tackle any sort of job-from installing ceiling fans to tearing down small barns.  . . and they are “cute as a button” still.  (Buttons used to be cute.)  I saw Beth who gave me the chocolate cinnamon cake recipe, when we were young mothers.  I felt like I had seen her yesterday and could have told her a secret, if I had any.  And Brenda.  . .  Brenda is dear to me.    She is just a few years older than me, and gave me very good advice, when I was so very inexperience at motherhood.  When Brant, my oldest son  was an only child, we would take bike rides together down winding country roads.    I still remember them and consider them precious memories.   I had a nice visit with Enid too, whom I have always admired, such a kind spirit.  Love is a mighty and powerful force, I am reminded when I see those from seasons long ago.  Authentic friendship is not “corrupted by moth nor rust” nor does it tarnish though years have passed.  

I came home fully determined to finish the mowing-and there was still some housekeeping left to do.  Thankfully, Christian was home-and in the mood to work.  He decided to work outside and so I felt hopeful that the rabbit patch would be in order , before work on Monday.  Of course, I decided to move furniture and discard a very heavy old daybed, that had seen better days.  This required extra scrubbing and cleaning, but once done, Christian and I agreed, it was a good decision.  Whenever, I do move to a quaint cottage somewhere, there will be less to move than before.  I am already practicing minimal habits in possessions and  spending, and it feels very liberating, oddly.  I am sure Jo Dee would laugh at this, as she has seen me price mustard!  I have never been a “big spender”.

By the time of twilight, the rabbit patch was in fairly good order.  A lot can happen in two days.  Sometimes the contents of a few days are as simple as clean linens and french mulberry.  Sometimes it is running with your dog, in the rain-and sometimes, you stand in the shadow of those you love and remember the gifts they brought to your life.  . “in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over”.