Neighborhood Cake

McKenzie

is the only child

in the neighborhood 

We all 

like to see her coming

I gave her a chocolate cake mix

Beverly gave her eggs

Donna had frosting

McKenzie made the cake

We each got a piece

Happy!! Happy!!

©2017 Red Convertible Travel Series

Closing the Nebraska chapter of my life.

There's an old Scottish hymn that explains my leaving. "Will you come and follow me, if I but call your name? Will you go where you don't know and never be the same? Will you let my name be known? Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?"

Many, many years ago I said, "Thy Will be done." It has taken me places I never dreamed of and made friends I never would have met. I've provided services and been provided for in ways I could not have imagined.

John, from Mississippi, showed up at my door unannounced, and I knew I was headed south. I just knew. That was ten years ago. If I didn't get clear intuitive messages, I could not have pulled up stakes and left, but I know that I know it is Thy Will.

In meditation this past July, I was advised to put a "For Sale" sign in my yard before noon Saturday. There were boxes everywhere, almost ordered chaos that went against house showing advice. Thy Will, truth, defies logic.

I continued to sort, sell, box and donate from over a hundred years and four generations of family. The Library was beneficary to hundreds of books. Anything I could replace, I gave up. Actually, I paid ahead. I gave so I can receive. What goes around comes around.

A beautiful Sat. morning dawned. I walked to the hardware store early. They had for sale signs but nothing to hold them in. None at the First Street store either. It was approaching eleven, and my stomach was tying in knots. Diane picked me up. Chris bolted my signs to her metal real estate frame. Just before noon I placed it. My heart in my throat, I went into the house and sobbed. Surrendering my will wasn't easy.

A couple of days later I showed it and liked the couple right off. They'd been in town five days. She and I have so many similar interests, it was like looking at myself at that age. She loves the bones of the house and the happy energy. I didn't mind leaving it with them. I gave up a house and gained dear friends.

It was hardest for Aja. "Why do you have to leave?" she pleaded.
If I said it was God's will she might be angry with God. "I will be back." So help me God. "We are forever friends."
She nodded. "Will you visit my school?"
"Yes, and Ryker's." I talked to their parents before I made a promise. "After school, we'll go grocery shopping, take it to your house and fix supper for your family." It gives each of us something to look forward to, and we love to create in the kitchen.
"When are you coming?"
"I'll be back before Christmas." She was placated.

Ryker is glad to have another boy in the neighborhood. It's been all girls all his life: eight years. And Alec is in his grade.

Aja came to the door when the new owners and I were the kitchen. "Aja this is Brandi, and she likes to cook."
Aja looked up into her big brown eyes, "Can I cook with you?"
"Sure."
I can go now.

2010 Red Convertible Travel Series

Past Pastor 'n Pat's Pearl Party

Is that a mouthful, or what?

Ryker came in and announced, "Chefy Ryker here, and I want an apron." We substituted my jacket. He pushed a stool to the stove and proceeded to saute fresh veggies for the Vegetarian Split-Pea Soup, our first course. Gently stirring he commented, "The flavors have to marry. What kind of kids will they have?" .

Aja popped in and insisted, "I'll help." Every cook needs a pot scrubber.

Justin prepared the salmon in parchment per Suzane Somers with lemon slices and sprigs of fresh thyme. He had never eaten it but was willing to try. "Can I come back and cook some more?" Sure.

Pastor and Pat arrived all smiles and game to wear the pearl table decorations. Schatzie came running and jumped in his lap. That's a first for anyone. Pastor generously petted and scratched him until dinner was ready.

We steamed Whole Foods baby red potatoes and green peas, added a splash of butter and sprigs of garden baby dill making a colorful presentation.

Over the years I've watched Pastor minister to our community. He overflows with love and compassion for all. It is safe to say he walks the talk of Jesus Christ.

Pat was excited, "We are going to Denmark. Andy will meet us there. He is making all of the arrangements." Awesome! They trained him right.

Pastor added, "My parents and I sailed to Denmark when I was twelve. One stormy night, I didn't think we'd make it."

Our palette cleanser was apple/pear gelato. Refreshing.

"Have you had your pudd today?" I asked. It was a quesion often heard in old England.I found the recipe in Betty Crocker. Kim was pouring it into the baking dish and lost her grip. Might as well laugh; she had egg on more than her face.

The Pudd baked in a hot water bath. The top became a sponge cake and the bottom settled into lemon pudding. Outstanding! No wonder it appears in so many recipe books.

I forgot to serve the wine and take pictures of food, but a good time was had by all. They filled my house with laughter and warm memories of good friends,good food and eager to learn to cook children.

2010 Red Convertible Travel Series

Monday Night Pearl Party #2

Here are our pearl-wearing guests at my breakfast nook table. Left to right: Sandi, wearing her boa. I know it was feathers, it molted. Lovely, tanned Kelly. Her middle-school son, Justin, made the hors d'oeuvre: English burpless cucumber slices topped with a dollop of sour cream and hint of horseradish, a spoon tip of smoked salmon herb ball and a sprig of fresh dill. He made one larger. "Be sure Mom gets this one." She did and was so proud. He squeezed lemons and made them lemonade, too. Across the table is her mother, my dear friend, Diane, and soft-spoken Bernie.

The kitchen was filled with tantalizing aromas. Our friends had somewhere else they needed to be, but we persisted with a motive: for them to relax, enjoy, feel loved and appreciated. We need to support one other.

2010 Red Convertible Travel Series

Thunder or reindeer

Toward evening I was working at the kitchen table when I heard a rumble above. I looked up and out. The sun was shining. Maybe there was a thunder cloud to the south? I heard it again. Time to investigate.

Thunder did not make the noise. There were no reindeer on my roof. But, there were two neighbor girls sitting near the peak of my house peering into the distant east. They couldn't see too far as the trees in the next block are tall, but it was the possibilities that were registered in there gazes.

The mother in me called out, "Get down from there!" The littlest one had on flip flops, not recommended for mountain climbing, but she navigated the roof standing up.

What will they think of next?

2010 Red Convertible Travel Series

Chocolate powered dishwashers

Over last summer our three-year old neighbor girl came often to "work" - her idea. Washing our dishes was her priority. Her dad asked why she didn't wash theirs? She said she'd rather wash the neighbors. I think it's the pay. In fact, our dishes have a high neighborhood priority. The kids come in pairs and as many as four at a time. Mid-westerners take their work seriously.

Dishes washed, dried and put away, they line up for pay. I take the small, out of reach dish from the top of the microwave, and they choose a tiny piece of chocolate.

I am so lucky, I have chocolate powered dishwashers.

copyright 2007 Red Convertible Travel Series

Before Mike Could Write 5/12/05

Mike, our neighbor's young grandson, was a frequent visitor. He'd knock at our backdoor and ask if I could go for a walk. We'd work our way the two blocks to the Saunders County Museum. On the parked caboose we traveled the world. Our adventures were grand: crossing the prairie, mountains, sea and flying. Bison cooked on an open fire was just okay. He said, "It needed ketchup."

When we weren't walking, or picking up sticks and discarded cans at the Museum, we'd sit in my swing. He'd tell stories he thought should be written. His mother listened and wrote them down for him before he could write. I asked, "Where were you before you were born?" Without hesitation, four-year old Mike replied, "I was with God and He was so good to me."

This weekend he graduates from High School. He's still writing. In the fall he will go off to college to write some more. He still wants to travel the world. I suspect he'll write his own adventures his mother and I will enjoy reading.

©2005 Red Convertible Travel Series