Well, I’m afraid my adjustment back into the world of the working has not been as smooth as I had hoped. Thanks to my co-worker Josh, I’m learning the tricks to my new trade but seriously, I would rather stay at home!
My trials and tribulations with the motor vehicles in my life continue. The car with the blown engine still has a blown engine and from what I understand is merely worth the value of scrap metal at this point. It is still collecting dust in the back corner of a car dealership’ parking lot about half way between Indy and home. Only because of the graciousness of my neighbor Robin Lawson, her mother Brenda and her sister Michelle, I have retrieved my 14-year-old SUV from Indianapolis this past weekend where it had undergone some rather serious repairs to the steering and suspension. Obviously, the cost of said repairs were rather serious, too. Robin’s family is from the northern part of the state and so on their way back home Sunday, they detoured over to Indy and dropped me off to pick up my car. My indebtedness to she and her family seems to grow weekly. Fortunately, the new car is getting 400 miles per tank of gas and wonderful gas mileage so that makes the sticker cost a bit more palatable. The first payment is not until next month so that also enhances the pleasure of driving it.
Hershey, my 15-year-old Japanese Chin that had his left eye removed recently, is back to his old self. He made it from the porch, through the yard, back into the house and ultimately into the kitchen looking for goodies the other afternoon which is astounding for a little guy who can no longer even distinguish light from dark. His passion for Arby’s roast beef, beer battered fish and vanilla ice cream has returned. He has, officially, healed.
Hats off to our new neighbors Chris and Kati Ray! They bought the home originally built and owned by Roy and Jannette Bolling. They have done so much all ready with the place, but the addition of the beautiful Halloween decorations is the best! Welcome to Patriot!
Speaking of Halloween, the Patriot Town Board is inviting all interested persons for the second year in a row to meet at the intersection of Highways 156 and 250 the evening of Halloween to share in the evening’s festivities. The town parking lot at that location will be the staging area for the Halloween fun to be held between 6-8 p.m. on Halloween, Tuesday, October 31st. Bring your kids, your parents, your car, your truck, your ugly costumes and your candy and share with the Town of Patriot for a Hollowing Good Time!
Richie Hutchinson continues to improve after his surgery. Sharon Coplen’s shoulder surgery was last week and she is reportedly doing well also. Prayers of healing and strength also are extended to Colton Schirmer and his family after his recent injury. Prayers of healing also for Jerry Turner, Leona Ware, Travis Griffith, Bill Levell, Wayne Dawson and June Lack.
The Red HOT Hatters met at the home of Lisa Fisher on Thursday, October 19th for still another scrumptious pitch in. Different from any other such Red HOT Hatter function in the past, this one was attended in Halloween costume. We had a blast! Those all decked out for the occasion were: Lisa Fisher, Claudia Dawson, Charlene Goff, Joyce Johnson, Mary Christiani, Mika King, Sandy Dawson, Lois McKay, Dottie Keeton, Stasia Wiseman, Eileen Weismann, Debbie Turner and Kay Cook. Debbie joined the ranks of the Red HOT Hatter madness for the first time and was a very welcome addition. Lisa’s home was appropriately decorated for Halloween and a great time was had by all.
Tentatively, the November meeting of the Red HOT Hatters has been scheduled for Thursday, November 16th at Shell’s beginning at 11a.m. and hopefully the next day, there will also be planned attendance at the Hoosier Theater for the play on Friday, November 17th. Specifics to be determined.
Plans are also underway for the Red HOT Hatter Christmas luncheon at Patty’s Reach on Monday, December 11th. Anyone wishing to attend may do so by contacting Kay Cook at (812) 594-2281 prior to December 4th.
It has been decided that beginning in 2018, all Red HOT Hatter monthly meetings will occur on the third Thursday of the month at 11 a.m. The January 18th, 2018 meeting is planned for Jewell’s on Main in Warsaw, Kentucky.
Cleo Detmer hosted Concordia this month at her home on Tuesday, October 17th. Attending were: Lulu Belle Thomas, Mary Christiani and Kay Cook.
On October 15th, members of the Concord Church honored Reverend Stephen Ward on his 25th Anniversary at the church with a special pitch-in and guest musical performances.
In the “Lessons Learned” category this week, I am learning that it is possible for “old dogs” to learn new tricks – it’s just harder and takes longer than it used to.
In the “Critter Corner” this week, I have finally decided upon a name for my third black cat, the feral. Despite all the cute and clever suggestions, I am going for Scaredy Cat – which best describes this little critter better than anything.
If you think you’ve seen this before, you are right! I have tried this recipe myself several times and I feel I need to share my findings. It is quickly becoming one of my favorite recipes! Although the original recipe calls for Spice cake mix, I tried it with Yellow cake mix and I loved it! I even shared some of the yellow cake pumpkin muffins with my pooches and they loved it, too. Also after receiving a phone call from Doris Shadday of Madison, I realized a bit of clarification might be needed: you need not mix the cake mix as the instructions tell you – simply put the pumpkin directly into the cake mix and stir. No eggs, oil, water or anything. It’s simply two ingredients: pumpkin and cake mix.
2 INGREDIENT
PUMPKIN MUFFINS
1 box – Spice Cake Mix
OR 1 box – Yellow Cake Mix
1 (15-ounce) can – Pure pumpkin puree
Mix in 1/2 cup raisins or chopped nuts if desired.
Simply mix the pumpkin and the cake mix together and
drop by heaping tablespoons into greased muffin cups.
Bake at 350 18-22 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.
Servings Per Recipe: 18
WITHOUT ICING OR NUTS, Per Serving Calories 113.8;
Total Fat 0.4 g; Saturated Fat 0.0 g; Cholesterol 0.0 mg
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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 at (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. If you have anything for me to include in this article, please send it to me. Information can be received any day of the week but normally my deadline is Sunday at noon for that week’s issue of the paper. Any news received later will appear in the following week’s article. If you need something in a particular issue please be sure and give it to me early.