Elizabeth Woodworth: Freezer reveals a hidden gem ... a peach pie
Canadian thistles and crown vetch open in the fields and pastures. When yucca plants flower and young grackles leave their nests, plant the vegetable garden for August and September harvests. The first major heat wave often develops around this time. Through the country's midsection, harvest beans and squash, strawberries, pie cherries, and early black raspberries. New moon time is favorable for pruning shrubs and trees that flowered earlier in the year.
For several years the Michael Hillegas Chapter, DAR, published a historic calendar as a fundraiser. Each month had items that the ladies thought to be of historical or local significance. I have been given two calendars, 1999 and 2001. June 2: Kathryn Capel purchased first Liberty Bond - 1917. June 5: First registration of men under the draft law, World War I - 1917. June 6: D Day, Normandy - 1944. (interesting bit, the 2001 calendar is the same as 2018.)
If you find yourself saying rude things to your phone, this from Sarah Graves will make you feel better, or maybe not. "Sam's voice came through sounding as hollow and distant, as if maybe he was calling from an orbiting space station instead of a Boston apartment. The phone fritzed in and out, his voice suddenly sounding as if it was coming from the bottom of a deep well.
"Once upon a time, Ma Bell ran the phone system with ruthless, utterly monopolistic efficiency. Now any fool can start a phone company and provide the kind of high-class personal communication service once offered by two tins cans and a length of string. The phone sputtered. Then it went dead. I took the handset from my ear and looked at it, feeling as if more information might issue from if only if I squinted hard enough.
"But no information did; then the connection ended entirely. When I tried calling back, I got the kind of fast busy signal that can only mean one of the tin cans has fallen off the string. I slammed the handset down, figuring that if the thing was going to be broken, I'd give it something to be broken about."
The cemetery looked good for Memorial Day. With all the rain we have had, the crew did a great job. Thanks to the American Legion and all those who worked with them to put on a thoughtful and well-received program. Thanks to the veterans who came to honor their comrades and those who went before and came after. Thanks to the citizens who attended to pay honor to those who made and are keeping America safe.
Two or three times a year, I clean out the freezer and pantry by eating what is there. I decided this was necessary several years ago when I discovered a five-year expired can of hominy in the deepest corner of the pantry. I understand why it got overlooked - what I don't remember is why I bought it in the first place.
It's eat-what-is-on-hand time again. Started with potpie, frozen veggies, plus a fresh potato, frozen chicken. When I was digging around, I found a small pie that I made last year during peach season. It was easy: unwrapped it, slid it into a pan and baked along with the potpie. It was good, almost as good as one made and eaten fresh. I can see fried chicken, pot roast, and meatloaf in my near future. For the most part, there are only good things in both places, so cleaning them out won't be too awful. I even saw a package of bacon - can't get better than that.
A young lady came to the door one afternoon. She had a small dog, wearing a blue collar. Appeared to be a terrier type. She had found it hanging around her home, mostly hanging in the street. She was trying to find the owner. I don't know where the dog lives, haven't seen it around. She was going to keep it until after the holiday, then see a vet for a chip test.
Nice young lady. Sharp contrast to the week before, when I drove up to see adult birds divebombing a middle-sized dog. It had found a fledgling and was using it like a toy. It would throw it up in the air, them pounce on it and roll it over and over. Baby bird wasn't able to get away; too young to fly from the ground when being used as a ball. Don't know where the dog lives - he ran off when I parked. Birds do not have to be on a leash, but according to city ordinance, dogs do. I realize pets get out of their yards and relish the freedom of running. If you have a pet, keep it safe.