That Little Girl

Today is the day......it is now 11:49 am.  My day started at 3 am, so the coo coo clock said.  It was a dream about Della's Daughter Cookbook.  I opened the box and there they were.  Ripped, wrinkled and falling apart.  The paper was like tissue paper.  No going back to sleep for me.  From that point on I have been........well...........sick to my stomach!  A few minutes ago a  memory popped into this not so clear head of mine.  It took me back to the farms on Horse Run Rd when I was "that little girl,"  waiting for the mailman.  That was the excitement for the day.  Very seldom did people stop unless it was another farmer, a hobo looking for food or a neighbor collecting money because a neighbor  had passed away on the run.  So, there I would set on the porch or inside looking out the window already to run for the mail.  Many days he just drove on by.  No advertisements were sent back then, just monthly utility bills or a letter from my parents cousins that lived far away. About twice a year letters would be sent to catch the family up on happenings.  The best time was late summer and spring when the catalogs would arrive. The Christmas Catalog was another exciting time.  I can remember setting on the couch with mom going through the catalogs page by page.  With pen in hand I would circle what I liked.  I figured out what I was getting for Christmas because mom would bend a little bit of the page down for quick reference.  Then she would set at the table and make out the order.....remember the order form was in the middle of the book that we sent in along with "the check".   Snail mail. 

It's a toe tap'n, time dragging day.  I just can't get focused to do anything that requires a little brain power.  Even poor Quincy is looking at me like, what the heck are you gonna do today.  On the plus side, the day is gorgeous with clear blue sky, bright sun with a promise the Super Moon might be quite visible tonight.  Last night it was big and bright, I can't imagine it getting a better but so they have promised it will. 

One thing I will guarantee, once they are delivered, I take a peek at one, I am going for a walk and get rid of these jitters.  It is what it is.............easy for me to say, but not to accept. 

Raised and glazed, boxed and ready to deliver to friends.

Last Wednesday (the day after elections) we had a planned lunch/supper out with the "Biker Gang".  It was to talk about the good old days before election year happened.  We went to the L'Italia in Wellsville, which has never disappointed us.  They have wonderful, of course Italian meals but their sandwiches are our favorite.  The rolls are made fresh daily and more "old world style".  Not those big puffy all bread sandwiches.  The guys always get the specialty sub with salami, ham, pepperoni, caramelized onions, olives and mozzarella.  I have many favorites, the Smokehouse Burger with bacon, bleu cheese and BBQ sauce with house-cut fries which is $8.99 is my favorite. Too much for one person but the guy that pays the bill enjoys the extras.  I also like their L'Italia Steak salad which is fresh mixed greens, steak, tomatoes, red onions and Balsamic Vinaigrette for $10.99.  The steak is so tender!  Again, more than I can eat but a perfect share.  After good food, great conversation we headed over to Ron's house for a few spirits.  Glazed donuts go with everything!  I had started them that morning and just before we left fried and glazed them.  Dick wanted to help!  That he did but I was a little bossy and he finally said, why didn't you just buy a dozen it would have been easier.  Yes it would have.  I told him, you don't understand...........I have a need to cook and bake and I just can't shake it.  What would I do if I didn't have to clean up my messes in the kitchen? 

This was a nervous blog that probably should never have been.  The books arrived yesterday, I am pleased that it turned out they way I wanted it to.  Especially for my kids and grands.  I hope it is sufficient for my friends to enjoy.  Had I known when I started it last January that friends were going to want them I probably would have done it a little less personal. And that take a peek, I didn't look inside of it until evening.  For some reason I avoided it until finally I sat down and cried like a baby.  Fifty years since my mom was killed by a drunk driver and at that moment it was a flood of emotions.  I have always known what I missed it was just always filed in the back of my memories.  Like many losses people have, wondering how life would have been different.  No regrets it's been a good one.

Love to all for your support and kind words.  We all need it once in a while...........so pass it on!