Well after nearly 3 inches of rain and overcast skies we finally got some blue skies and bright sunshine and for the first Music on Main in over a year the temps were near perfect for Friday evening in Sparta. The crowd was great and we renewed lots of old friendships, hugged a lot of necks with tons of handshakes as well.
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with the cup of hot tea while I post this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as possible due to ages and health issues. I took off before breakfast on my only hike for the day as Nancy was never able to work one out with her agenda. I did the non stop hike to the top and it was glorious as the wood smells after a rain are so invigorating and fresh. I love to talk with GOD on these early morning hikes and I'm glad no one else is in the woods while I vent at times.
Well we had picked black raspberries at the now Robert's place who made it clear to us to pick the berries which were ripening fast and a lot of them had dried up but the ones we picked were beautiful and oh so delicious. We call them the "Cadillac of berries". Well we bought two 12 packs of jars with lids and rings as we could not find lids any where and we filled about 20 of them with the jelly. What a production and that entails with first breaking down the berry into a pulp them straining it to remove some of the seeds and finally cooking the pulp and putting it in the jars and them into a cooker in hopes all will seal and preserve the jelly. I washed pans, pots, utensils, jars, etc for what seemed like hours but despite some different opinions during the production phase we got it done as a team for another year. Now it's just pick more berries for cobblers and just eating on cereal or with vanilla ice cream. We gave away to our "mountain mom" and her son who is visiting from Florida and set aside a couple jars for the berry owners, Alicia and Dave. Our kids and grand kiddos love it so, most will go to them. It's amazing how much sugar you use so I've stayed away from the finished product as much as possible because it adds to the spare tire.
Well I did get out and weed eat the property after the jelly making production which kept me busy for a couple hours and gave me a good workout on this hilly yard. We decided to head to Sparta around 4 ish with a stop at our "mountain moms" to drop off some jelly and then I wanted to get to the library before it closed at what I thought was 5'ish. Well they closed 2:30 so that was a bust and if I don't go to town this morning(sat) I'm with out a read until Tuesday as they are closed for the 4th. I suppose I'll break down and read Bobby's second book which is fantasy so he will bring me is third and final book in his trilogy THE EPIC OF HAVEN. For some reason I'm not a fantasy, Lord of the Rings kind of reader but I need to read my son's writing which lots of folks are into, oh well.
We had supper at the Muddy Creek which was fabulous in taste and plenty. Gerald and Kay joined us when we were about half way through as they watched us eat and then we watched them. Afterwards we walked around town as the main street was shut down and listen to a couple of different bands and groups. We saw some street dancing and heard some awesome Blue Grass Music. What a festive attitude in the folks who were there. I mentioned to our "mountain mom" son who we saw there that I had no coffee since I retire in '04 because I had drunk a lot of coffee during by time on the patrol and a fellow over heard our conversation and inquired where did I patrol. Well long story his dad was a trooper in Florida same as me but about 10 -15 years earlier than me. I didn't know the name but he was the first Trooper of the Year ever in Florida when that award was given. I goggled his name and sure enough Trooper Whittle was there with his story and interview. I wish I had more time to speak with his son who was either Mark or Ronald and their accomplishments according to the interview of Trooper Whittle are remarkable.
Well that was about it for the day as we made a Food Lion stop for meat that was on sale before heading home to watch the Lightning destroy the Canadians 6-3 in the Stanley cup final. One more win and its over and a repeat for the Bolts, LATER
