By February 3rd this year, I already had a crocus blooming in my yard. Add to that numerous daffodils, more crocus and two forsythia and it appears that although spring is not scheduled to begin until next Monday, March 20th, Mother Nature may not have gotten the memo. Trees are bringing to bloom and I even have buds on my rosebush. So far, no severe damage is apparent despite the most recent severe shift in temperature. I can’t help but wonder with such a mild winter and early spring, just how hot this summer will be! Only time will tell.
A belated Happy 92nd Birthday to my friend John Campbell! I was so glad to get his call Tuesday. Originally introduced to me by our mutual friend Dorothy Burley, I am so blessed to call him friend. His phone calls are always so enjoyable. Originally from Patriot, he currently resides in Cincinnati. We of course discussed the recent passing of Shirley Hewitt, married to David Hewitt. John and David are related through Lucy McNutt. Lucy was David’s great-great-grandmother and John’s grandfather’s niece. (I hope that’s right!)
If you are a true River Rat, you know this to be true: “The river giveth and the river taketh away.” This is the blessed and cursed truth of living near rivers. Interestingly enough some of each action is enhancing a section of my property I never expected. Literally living on the banks of the Ohio River for nearly 20 years now, I have seen what damage it can do. Erosion is one of my greatest concerns and yet I see now that it can useful. Apparently there was a hotel years ago on my property. Although shamefully I do not know the particulars, I have occasionally seen some evidence in what I call my ‘backyard’. Several different areas of my yard appears to have been flowerbeds and designated as such by an outline of brick borders. Each year more of this brick bordering becomes evident through erosion.
Approximately six years ago, I had an addition built onto my house and the dogs and I subsequently began using a short cut through my yard from the back door of the addition to the kitchen. It didn’t take long before I began constructing a pathway of sorts with odds and ends of bricks, blocks and rocks. This year, however, there has been enough erosion that I am finding a distinctive pattern of bricks beneath my makeshift walkway. Slowly I am removing my handiwork and unveiling more of someone else’s. So far the area that I have excavated measures approximately twelve feet long and in places four feet wide. Now I am wondering whether I am uncovering a walk, a flowerbed or maybe part of a foundation. I’ll let you know what I find!
My accolades last week included Patriot Town Employee Mickey Mathews and his prowess with the removal of a tree blocking our alley after the recent high winds and storm. Well, he was even better than I thought because he did it all alone. I thought I overheard him talking to a second person: he said he was working alone and probably cussing the vines intertwined with the fallen tree in the alley. Color me impressed!
I intend to attend Fish Fry #2 at the Rising Sun United Methodist Church (110 S. Walnut/Highway 56) scheduled for Friday, March 17th from 5-7 p.m. Menu includes fish or chicken, baked beans, slaw, macaroni and cheese and your choice of scrumptious homemade desserts. Free will donations are accepted as are carry out requests. The food is excellent!
From “Aunt Bee”
Sharon Levell, a recipe for:
Pumpkin Dessert Squares
FOR CRUST
1 box – Yellow Cake Mix
½ Cup – Melted Butter
1 Egg
Mix crust ingredients together keeping out One Cup of
dry cake mix.
Press mixture into a
9″ by 12″ pan.
FOR FILLING
14 oz. Can -Pumpkin Pie Mix
2/3 Cup – Canned Milk
2 Eggs
Mix pumpkin, milk and eggs together.
Pour onto crust topping.
TOPPING
1 Cup – Remaining Cake Mix
¼ Cup – Sugar
1 tsp. – Cinnamon
¼ Cup – Butter
Combine topping ingredients together.
Sprinkle over filling. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
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You may contact me several ways: by leaving a note of message inside the cat mailbox in front of 1995 Front Street in Patriot; or by calling my home (812) 594-2281; or dropping me a note at P.O. Box #01, Patriot, Indiana, 47038. In addition, contact KAY E COOK on Facebook or online at Patriotnews1995@gmail.com.