August 28, 2008
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Oh, Hi, ______! It’s good to hear your voice, too! I’m fine, thanks, and you? Well, that is good news. It has been a busy summer, indeed, but there is surely a touch of fall in the air
these days, so maybe things will slow down real soon. Haven’t the cool nights been just heavenly?
You tried to call me yesterday? Sorry I wasn’t here. In fact, I wish you could have been with me…you would have enjoyed it. Do you remember Susan, my neighbor who got married last fall? Yes, she’s the one. She and I went to Ozark yesterday for a girls’ lunch out. It was our first time to do this, and we had heard about a new tearoom and wanted to give it a try.
It has a funny name for a tearoom, the Wild Horse Cottage, but how cute it was! All decorated with western and girlie things, a neat combination. And the food was so good! We had yummy tea, soup and sandwiches, and they offer the neatest way to sample dessert. Yes, you get “bites”, three for $4, and we shared three tiny servings of blueberry cheesecake, carrot cake and coconut pie…just the right amount of sweetness.
And of course, we weren’t a bit too stuffed to enjoy walking around two or three antique places before we headed home. Nope, didn’t buy a thing, but Susan found two cute “chicken” plates with hangers to go in her kitchen. She’s wanting to do a bit of redecorating to help give Glen’s nice house “her” touch. You know, they redecorated the bedrooms for the children, but the kitchen and living room are still like Cathy had them. Susan didn’t want to rush in and change everything at first, but it has been a while now, and it’s time. There will always be memories of Cathy around their place, but Susan needs to feel at home, too.
That’s right, Susan is quite a few years younger than me–14, to be exact. And sometimes I wonder why she would want to spend time with someone “my age.” But then I remember another young wife who had an older friend, and what a blessing that relationship was in her life! My older friend was like a mentor to me, in many ways. And although we live miles and states apart now, when we get back together, we can just pick up right where we left off, five years ago. Sometimes, age just doesn’t matter! It meant so much to me to have her friendship, and I hope I can be that kind of friend to Susan. Besides, it makes me feel young to associate with her family…why wouldn’t I want that?!
Yes, we did have a good weekend at the lake! It was long overdue! How can a whole summer come and go without one trip out on our beautiful Bull Shoals? Did I tell you Stan bought a boat? It’s an oldie but runs like a top, and we had such fun taking it down the lake.
Remember that place down by the ferry in Arkansas,
where we used to boat for breakfast? We wondered if the Wagon Wheel would still be open and were so happy to find it is!
I remember so many times when we would take the kids there, pull the boat up and tie to a tree and walk up the hill, through the campground, to a hearty breakfast….being around water always makes us hungry!
I saw an old boathouse that reminded me of the one we had when I was a kid….do you remember going for the weekend? No indoor plumbing, no electricity, but wasn’t it so much fun?
This time, we almost had the lake to ourselves. There were a few pontoons,
skiers
and fishermen, but mostly it was just open, glassy water….so beautiful!
But the best part of being at the lake is sitting out on the deck, watching the sunset reflected on the mirror-smooth water.
It’s so peaceful and quiet–I always sleep well when there. It’s just a deeper relaxation, to leave the cares of farm and work behind for a few minutes.
No, we haven’t watched the convention speeches. Just don’t care much for politics these days. We are like ostriches, I guess, keeping our heads in the sand. It’s nicer to watch the Cardinals….IF they win! Last night was a bummer, but tonight will be different. They need to play better if there’s any hope for the post-season.
Oh, by the way, do you need any tomatoes? I have plenty right now, so I’ll be happy to share. I love having them, but I’m getting tired of peeling. Yes, I’ve canned stewed tomatoes and salsa, and we’ve eaten them twice a day since they started ripening. They sure are good, even though they are smaller now. My favorites are an heirloom variety that is kind of knobby and pear shaped…not too acidic but not sweet, either. I’ll have a nice bag for you the next time I see you–don’t let me forget!
Have I not talked to you since Emma was here? We did have a lot of fun. She is getting quite grown up, old enough now to entertain herself, but one day we invited a friend to come spend the day and night.
Blakely and Emma have known each other since they were babies, and they both love outdoor fun. It was hot that day, so we just had to go to the creek to enjoy the water.
I can’t imagine living where there were no creeks, and I’m so happy that my grandchildren love to go. It’s surely something they inherited from their mommies, because when the girls were growing up, they begged to go every single day in the summer. It was never hard to convince me because I loved it, too…and still do!
That reminds me of a James Whitcomb Riley poem that says it well:
Oh! The old swimmin’-hole! Whare the crick so still and deep
Looked like a baby-river that was laying half asleep,
And the gurgle of the worter round the drift jest below
Sounded like the laugh of something we onc’t ust to know
Before we could remember anything but the eyes
Of the angels lookin’ out as we left Paradise;
But the merry days of youth is beyond our control
And it’s hard to part ferever with the old swimmin’-hole.
Gracious, no, I didn’t remember it by heart; I had to look it up. But I would hate to part forever with going to a swimmin’-hole!
Guess I’d better get busy this morning. There’s mowing and trimming when the yard dries off, but until then I’ll head up to my sewing room. I’m trying to sew up some sweet things for Susannah’s new little one who is coming in just a month! The doctor says he will perform a C-section on September 24. Hadn’t I told you she’s having a little girl? Isn’t that perfectly perfect? A little sister for Wyatt! Unless they change their minds, she and Derek have decided to name her Adalyn Ann. Her monogram will be all As. Yes, remember that Derek’s mom is Lynn, and his grandmother is Adda. They’ve changed the spelling a bit but it sounds the same. I think they plan to call her Addie…isn’t that cute?
No, you haven’t kept me from a thing….call anytime. I love these nice, long visits…it isn’t often that we get to just chat, and we had lots to catch up on! I’m always so happy to hear from you! Give my love to everyone and hope to see you soon!
’Bye!
Comments (15)
Oh, what a wonderful story! I want to come visit that creek! Nothing like that around here, sad to say. Looks like a lovely time.
I love that name! BTW, my oldest daugter is named Adrienne, and we call her Addie! How cute!
I loved this one side of a phone conversation! Your talking about the creek makes me long for the days when I was about six and playing in the friendly little stream that ran through our farm…
That is the main thing I wish we had on this farm. A really good running creek. We have a creek but it runs best if it a wet time. Yours looks wonderful! I’d be like the kids and in it all the time.
This sounds wonderful and I really liked the format, too. Maybe I could use this idea to teach writing.
Jan, you are just SO creative! This post is delightful. My very favorite parts are the photo of sunset on the lake, and the swimmin’ hole poem, and thinking about all of the generations that have enjoyed swimming in that creek! Hope you and Wyatt are having fun!
Enjoyed your post. Loved the photos too. Will copy the larger one and hang in my office. Sounds like you have had a fairly nice summer. Ours here in the north central part of Washington has been a mixed-bog. Right now, it has cooled and feels more lake early October. But, alas, weatherman says up to the mid-80s over this long Labor day weekend. Have a great weekend.
Completely delightful! Your way of writing always makes us readers feel like we’re the friends you’re talking to; like, on any day, we could go with you up to Ozark to that tea room or to the Wagon Wheel for breakfast. Or to the swimmin’ hole. Or up to your sewing room to sit and sew and comment and laugh. You have such a way of enjoying every single ounce of life–and of making sure we enjoy it too. Thank you so much for that.
I LOVED this entry!! I’m sitting here bare-foot, and sure wish I could stick my feet in the creek with those girls.
Your photos draw me right into them. I could just feel that cold creek water and see the sunset shimmering on the lake. It looks like there’s a little color in the trees at Bull Shoals. Have you tried some of your tomatoes with fresh mozarella cheese? You have to get the kind that is swimming in water, but there is nothing quite like really good tomatoes sliced with fresh mozarella, drizzled with olive oil and vinegar, and seasoned with salt, pepper, and a pinch or orregano. Yum! I’ll take a sack of tomatoes off your hands anytime!
@AprilsPlace - Uhg! You are making my mouth water! I have several tomatoes from my garden, but no fresh mozarella like that! Grrrrr…. Well, guess I’ll have to settle for the olive oil, salt & pepper…
I loved your one sided conversation, very creative and delightful! I may have to use this idea also.
Thank you for your comment.
My parents retired years ago to the Ozarks and we spent many wonderful times with them there and they often had the grandchildren visit. They lived on Lake Taneycomo near Foryseth, MO. It is so beautiful there. Your pictures are nice.
Have a nice weeekend.
Great post. My family used to go to Lake Tenkiller in Eastern Oklahoma for a week or 2 every summer while my kids were young. I miss it SO much. There are no creeks on our farm, but I would LOVE to be close to the water.
wonderful expressive writing, and so easy to read, and feel you chatting away…so yes please, to the tomatoes…ours are still not ready, hard and green. they need some sunshine.
Hello. Just stumbled across your blog and was intrigued. The mention of the Ozarks reeled me in. We live in the Fort Smith area, so it’s nice to find something “close by” that we can relate to. Have you ever tried the Orange Blossom (?) Tearoom in Rogers? It’s been over 20 years ago, but I still remember it fondly. I love your page and the way you tell a story. Reminds me so much of my beloved Aunt Pat. She and Uncle Lou lived their entire married life on a family farm in Olpe Kansas, just outside Emporia. He’s still there, but we lost her a few years ago and I really miss her. Anyway, have a lovely day and thanks for sharing!
Sorry, I haven’t been making many calls this summer, too much time spent tending to my own tomatoes which still haven’t turned red yet!! Your sunset picture made me stop, sigh and longling gaze at the peace and tranquility…thanks for the mini vacation!