Dig Deep

It seems like the word dig has been popping into the conversation a lot for the last few days.  First Dick has been preparing flower beds and did get the sweet peas planted on Good Friday. We even had enough seeds to put on the edge of the asparagus bed.  They will sure make it smell good while harvesting the veggies during the hot days of summer.  Speaking of hot days we just read it will be a cooler than normal summer.  No shock if it is, spring is saying the same thing with cooler and sometimes cold days.  So, the word dig, he wanted to know how far to dig down with the new time and labor saving rototiller.  Then how far to dig the trench for the sweet peas.  Big decisions around the little farm.  We both help make them that way nobody has to take the complete blame if there is failure.  Good grief!

Next I am hearing the word dig and leeks in the same sentence.  One of my favorite spring tonics.  I say that because Vernie Howard  lived on Honeoye St years ago, (he is Virg, Hank, Vince, Joe, Ella, Aola, Yvonne, Jackie and if others I'm not remembering) always said leeks were spring tonic from a long winter.  If we think about it I'm sure when fresh veggies were not plentiful in winter months the first greens of spring were exactly just that, spring tonic.  My gramma would dig dandelions for "a mess" (her words).  I never liked the bitter taste but many do.  I remember a couple springs when our kids were little Bruce and Aola Maxson would have leek dinners at their camp on Fiske Hollow.  Vernie and his wife would always be there.  The usual fan fare of a leek dinner, ham, potatoes, homemade bread and butter, cooked leeks and raw.  It was a day of fun in the sun, cleaning leeks, women talking, kids playing in the stream and men doing what they do best at a camp.  I have a feeling many remember Maxson's Camp.......Good hearted people and good thoughts of wonderful times.  The weather today reminds me of the perfect leek days.

Today we will be eating dinner with our daughter and family.  Thank goodness for little girls, she takes good care of us and also our grand daughter Kamrie is always near the action at gram and gramps.  Dick is attempting German Potato Salad.  Poor guy he is working overtime but insists he wants to help.  We were told not to bring anything but like always, can't go empty handed.  My hands are full of crutches and wheel chair!  Beautiful 78 degrees to eat out and decorate eggs and catch up on the Costello happenings.

The potato salad was delicious, a little worried since I gave it a twist from my usual vinegar base.  We called it "German Salad with an NC Kick".  Instead of the vinegar and mustard I had Dick mix up the Carolina Barbecue sauce we use for pulled pork and chicken.  It is good.
NC Style:  In a bowl mix 2 cups of vinegar, 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp black pepper, salt to taste.
Fry 8 slices of bacon, remove from grease, slice a med size onion and saute in bacon grease, add 3 TBSP. flour, stir around and then add NC sauce, stir til consistency of a light gravy.  You may have to add a little water to thin down.  While hot pour over 6 cups of sliced and cooked potatoes, crumble bacon on top and mix gently.

One more dig and this time I am using the word.  No complaining just trying to dig deep to get a mind set on what the next couple months will be.  I'm going to be honest, there are moments that sneak up on me when I feel over whelmed at what I can't do.  Simple things, everyday things, as simple as putting one foot ahead of the other.  I don't feel sorry for myself, that is defeat and that will not happen.  What keeps me strong and thankful is thinking of what my sons endured when deployed to those exotic places to meet exotic people (their description).  Like most military their way to make light and ease their loved ones worries.  The next person I think of is Marcus Luttrell, a book has been published, The Lone Survivor of his story.  Please read the book, understand the strength of this man, his will to live and his will to continue his life after everything he has been through plus watching his team brothers suffer and die.  Their strength is far beyond what I can imagine.

It was 42 years ago March 16 that I broke my right ankle, surgery and screws.  Same thing walking down stairs.  I really can not remember being so darn weak on crutches!  Way back then I had a 2 and 4 yr old to chase after and was pretty darn fast on crutches.  When the kids would run from me our neighbor Dick Evingham would bring them back telling them to behave.  22 vs 64, I know but darn it give the ol'gal a break, huh "chance" a better choice of words.

I have had so many "Pass it Ons" this past week which will help me "Pass it On".

My Surgeon is so cool, like maybe in his 50's, he said, I'm gonna give you my autograph!