Things that my kids taught me.

Oh how I wish that I had kept a journal of all the things that I learned from my children when they were small. That was long ago but I do remember some of them.

When my oldest, The Librarian, was little, she wanted to grow up and have big legs just like mine. I was horrified that she thought my legs were so big, and then I realized that she wanted to be tall. She was tiny for her age. She also thought that we were all stuffed with cotton. Her beloved Mrs. Beasley was as was Raggedy Ann. Surely we were stuffed with cotton too.

I also learned that the Pledge of allegiance ended with the phrase"and to the republican where witches stand and liver and jelly for all. This same child also asked where Florientar was. I had never heard of that place but after much questioning, I learned that it was where the Three of Kings came from You know, We three kings of Orient Are. Doesn't that make sense. One day after the death of a grandparent, Son, who this paragraph is about, declared that Grandma would be alright, as he was sure that God would have plenty of Angel food Cake for her to eat. He was about 5 years old at this time.

The Professor was quite a talker, She still is for that matter. In her early years, she was quite dutchy and sometimes we didn't always understand what she said. It was just so cute when she started calling everyone Buster. She was always wanting to be the center of attention and she sure was the day I fully heard and understood what she was saying. Why! It wasn't Buster at all but a rather foul word, that wasn't even said at our house. That was a hard habit to break. After an explaination that it wasn't nice and a taste of dish soap when she continued to insist on using it, she finally conceded. She was always a story teller too and is today. She is the one who reported to the community about her dad being shot in the leg and arrested. Apparently a speeding ticket just wasn't very exciting so she added her own color to it.

The Nurse, was and still is a talker and you better listen to her. She doesn't cut any slack. She demands your full attention when she talks to you. When you are driving down the road and she is beside you, you had better acknowledge her yacking. She will get your attention one way or another. From her I learned that God colors so pretty and He never even gets out of the lines. I also learned that instant pudding is a whole lot better that cooked. She didn't even know that they cooked pudding until she went to school. What kind of mother was I to let my child make instant pudding whenever she wanted. She even taught me that you could finger paint with it.

There are other stories to tell but I suppose that I have embarressed them enough. Today, they are still teaching me things. Most of it I need to know, I am not so good at learning new things, but I know that God made us all special and stuffed us with His love and I hope that he does have plenty of Angel food cake when we get to Heaven.

Have a happy week end.

When I was a Kid

No I did not walk up hill 5 miles,in the snow, barefooted to go to school. That just seemed like the appropriate title. You see, I have just read Andi's Ramblings and the story abour her nephews and children. These just happen to be my grandchildren. I laughed about the heat of the morning while they were at the Zoo. I know that it is hot and muggy in a city and especially so in an area where there is cement, pavement and trees. I live in the country and I spent that morning outside doing my thing because I would rather be outside than in.

Now....When I was a kid, it didn't matter if it was hot. After the morning chores(milking, separating the cream and taking my turn in the garden) I played outside. There was not any reason to go in. We had no television, no electronic games and guess what!!! We did not even have air conditioning. Oh we did have an oscillating fan about 12" across and we couldn't all sit in front of it so we just went outside.

In the shade of the trees or down to the river was a life of adventure. We had great imaginations and made games with so many things. Our toys were few, but we didn't miss them because we didn't know any better. On the farmstead,on a hot afternoon, we could play in the cattle tank. It was cleaned out each spring and was a great place to swim. I envied my cousins who had a big cement stock tank. It was a great swimming pool and was under a large tree. No sunburns for them. But the yellowjackets also liked the cool water and we had to be on the alert for them. Later when we moved into the nearby community on the river, we spent many hours playing in the waters. A river in Western Oklahoma is like a stream in many parts of the country. It was a great place for all of the kids though and I loved the adventures that we had there.

We knew better that to stay around the house too long as Mom could always find something to keep her bored children entertained. She also believed that we needed to be outside in the fresh air. She was even known to lock the screen door. That was the signal that we were to play outside unless it was an emergency. Would that be child abuse today?

Have a happy summer, Find a shade tree or a nice stream and enjoy it. Come to think of it, my Grandma's hammock was a special retreat when we were at her house. Do you think that I should buy one?

Thank Goodness it is Friday.

Well, now, I really don't know why that should matter to me. You see, I don't have a real job, I am the Ranchers wife and I work at least 6 days a week and, 7 if necessary. Of course most of it is by choice. The Rancher does have Son help him on occassion. Today and tomorrow though, they have decided to take the boat to Canton and fish. I chose not to go. I had work to do. I had to weed the garden, spread weed and feed on the acreage that I call a yard and I have to stay at home and feed the baby calf that lost his mother to lightening. Someone in this family has to work. After all, I want to take off in a few days and go to northern part of the country and not go fishing. Don't tell the Rancher that I said that. That is his passion and I like it on occassion but I do like to have an adventure.

I might go to town in the morning and take in a garage sale or two since I don't have anyone to answer to. I might even sleep late, and I might eat what I want to. Right now, I think a dish of ice cream sounds goo. I worked hard this morning and I surely burned a few calories. I also walked but not 4 miles thank you. Some people are out of their minds. I used to do that when I was young. Now I just think about it and that's as far as it gets.

About Friday. Well, I remember as a working person, I was always glad for that day. I still am. It means that I have survived for another week and maybe we will have some friends over for cards or go visiting. That is our thing on Saturday and then Sunday is Church and rest. I like that. It refreshes and gives us strength for a new week. If you don't have a church home, spend some time finding one and let your mind and body be renewed. It is a great feeling. Have a good week end.

Life Just Ain't Fair

I have always heard that....Life just ain't or (in the proper English) isn't fair. Well now I believe it for a fact. Just last week a young rancher in North Dakota won himself $232 million to invest in his ranching operation. It seems a shame that one so young should be handed that amount of money. Now don't get me wrong, I am happy for him, all his neighbors are happy for him and probably his BANKER is happy for him but I think that he is just too young to have that much money to use in the Ranching business.

He needs to struggle for a few years. He needs to sweat and wonder how in the world he is going to pay the note that is due, He needs to wonder how he is going to support his Ranch and family. He needs to worry about blah blah blah and on and on and on....

Seriously, this young man just seemed so young. Why couldn't this have happened to someone who had struggled through the tough times for years, and wondered why God had allowed him to be a rancher anyway. He has missed out on a lot.

I wish Him luck and I understand that he will only get $88 million of it. Poor Guy, life is tough. I hope that he uses it wisely and that he will be able to ranch for the rest of his life.

I know that God doesn't give us more than we can handle in life and that is why the Rancher and I don't have a lot of money and the real reason that we haven't won the lottery is because we haven't, and never will bought a ticket. So you see, I just never tried to be a millionaire. And Life is fair.

Making Do and Using it Up

What kind of a title is THAT!!! Well. it is just the only thing I could think of. I grew up in a large family and my parents were products of the Depression Era of the 1930's. To throw out food was almost a sin. Mom had a use for every last morsel. Today, I still had roast left from Sunday dinner and a large container of gravy.( When will I ever learn how to cook for two again?) When I came home from Bible Study, I was rushed for time and was thankful for what I had. Guess what, I also had noodles in the freezer. I put some water on to boil, added the gravy and part of the beef and when it was boiling, added the noodles. I sliced some tomatoes and cooked some fresh broccoli (in the microwave) and it was a great meal. I still have roast for beef salad sandwiches for another day. The broccoli was left over from a vegetable tray. USE IT UP.


The Rancher likes a hearty noon meal and a light one in the evening. On the ranch, we have Dinner at midday and Supper in the evening. My sister and I had a good laugh about the people who miss a good meal out here because they got the two mixed up. Heck, some folks missed the meal completely.

This afternoon, after ignoring the pile of bananas on my cabinets for two days, I knew that I had to do something with them...I had brought them in from the RV where they had been forgotten about. Dark skinned bananas make the BEST breads and cakes.
this is one of my favorite recipes and is so easy to make. I am thinking that it might not be the healthiest thing in the world, but eat a small piece and take it to Bible Study or Church business meeting (ours is a small group) or just share it with your neighbor and you will be rewarded.

CAKE THAT DOESN'T LAST LONG
3 cups of flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon each: soda, salt, and cinnamon
3 eggs, beaten
1 8 ounce can juice packed pineapple (crushed)
2 cups mashed bananas
1 1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Mix all dry ingredients in large bowl. Make well in center. Add eggs, undrained pineapple, bananas, oil and vanilla and pecans. Stir until just moistened. Spoon into greased and floured tube pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour and 25 minutes or until done. Ovens vary so yours might need to be checked afte 1 hr and 15 minutes.
Invert on rack to cook. When cool....

Frost with: Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup butter that has softened
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1 pound powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans if desired.

Cream ingredients with mixer until light and fluffy and spread on cooled cake.

UMMMMMM Good!!!!

See what good things you can have when you clean out the frig or use up what you might have thrown out. It is time to be conservative. Andi, don't ya wish you had some of those noodles? I wish you were here to share them too.