Ain't Life Grand?: September 2009

Most of August was miserably hot and humid. We did get some much needed rain though. Also, unusual for mid-summer, we had several daylily and hosta orders to fill. They were small orders, but appreciated.

The month began well. We worked at Rocky River on the 1^st. Eric and kids came by to enjoy the water while I finished bushhogging the field and Debby kept the weedeater singing. Chas managed to haul a lot of big rocks out of the river bed and deposit them on the beach. He had intended to take them home with him but when his dad mentioned he would have to carry them up to the truck, he decided they were okay left on the sandbar. Later in the evening, Eric and Christy White came by and we had a nice long visit on the back porch while everyone broke green beans. We heard the news that Eric’s nuclear energy company, that produces nuclear fuel for an Ohio nuclear electricity plant, was actually in danger of closing. We had been sure that if any jobs were safe in the economy slow down, it would be “green” energy source jobs. But, we learned not. Eric taught us a little about the work going on to develop ways to store the excess electricity that the wind generators out west produce. It seems that a big problem with the wind generated electricity is how to handle the tremendous over-production that can cause melt downs when the big winds come in off the Pacific. Interesting!!!

William stayed with us one night, the 4^th, while Lori and Patrick took a last trip to the temple for a while. We were apprehensive, since he REALLY loves his mommy, but he made it just fine.

Debby had seminary inservice in Nashville on the 8^th. So, we went early (she missed part of her meeting) and attended the temple first. While she was in her meeting, I ran some errands. Then, during her lunch break, we went to Parthenon Pavilion to visit Darlene Pavone, one of our church friends, who was hospitalized there. She is bi-polar and is frequently hospitalized when her medication doesn’t control things. She knew us and we had a nice visit. Her mental problems reminded me that it will take a God to judge us because not everyone is playing with the same deck of cards.

I made a couple of trips to Chattanooga with Brett. Debby went with us on the last trip. On our first trip over, the motive was to get acquainted with the place and put in job applications for part time work. While Brett was in his orientation program, I went all over the campus picking up job applications for him. By the time he got out of orientation, I had filled out most of them and they were ready for his signature. He had a little time left so he hit the offices dropping off the applications. The purpose of the second visit was to follow up on work possibilities and it paid off. Brett met a young man, also named Brett, who is from Cookeville. Cookeville Brett was encouraging to McMinnville Brett and after another brief interview, offered him a job at the university center. His hours are flexible. They work around his class schedule. He is responsible for setting up rooms for meetings and luncheons, etc. at the university center. He has been working 8-10 hours a week.

We went back over to Chattanooga on the last Sunday in August to meet Brett at church. He attends the Chattanooga Branch of the church that is currently meeting in Hixson. They are looking for a facility downtown which will be much closer to campus. They should be meeting there within a month or so. We knew some of the folks there and one of them promised Debby that she would be Brett’s mom away from home. Brett squirmed a little! We took a picnic lunch and discovered that there is a really nice city park right next door to the church in Hixson. Nice day!

We had a big day at the Spencer Fair on the 21^st. Katie and Chas were definitely the stars of the show as they kept racking up ribbons for the athletic events. Lots of blue and red ribbons were gathered by both of them. We also went to see some of their art exhibits at the entry barn—more blue for old Chas!

We had another restful and nice visit with Betsy and kids on the 22^nd. The kids played (Elizabeth scoured the earth for Indian artifacts). Betsy, Joe, and Debby, just kicked back and enjoyed the swing and the breeze and let the day go by. It was easy talking and watching the kids play. Later in the day, Debby Stuart Blocker and husband Dave stopped by to see Little House. They were on their way to the Rocky River Bluegrass program held up at White Hill at the base of the mountain. They had won free tickets and were on their way to redeem them. We wowed them with some squash fritters and homemade salsa.

Debby made two nice arrangements for me to take to Long Cemetery for decoration day. We selected some pieces from Hobby Lobby and she worked at arranging them for quite a while. When they were finished, they had, as Deb often said, that “Debby Hitchcock touch.” I didn’t stay any longer than my treasurer duties required. We had one of our biggest daylily/hosta orders to come along lately that was due to go out on the following Tuesday. Since our cooler was on the blink I hadn’t been able to do them in advance, so I hurried back to get to work.

One of the patriarchal blessings I gave this month was to a young man named Shawn Wilkinson. He is a freshman at Tennessee Tech and was the only active church member in his family. His stepfather has been a member since his youth but not active for years. His mother is not a member of the church at all and doesn’t seem interested. However, he is very serious and seems to want to do everything he can to show his love for the Lord. When I meet such a person, it always strengthens me and makes me glad I can be a part of his life.

August is the big month for our grapes to get ripe. Actually, they started in late July but peaked in August. Debby has discovered a grape pie recipe and she made and made and made grape pies. We made a trip to Van Buren to share one with Grandma Moffitt and Grandma Miller. We also made some grape juice and grape jelly. We didn’t process the grape jelly (which is why we can’t mail any to anyone, Holly!!!!) But it is good stuff!

Blake graced us with his presence for a whole week. We are aware of the fact that it was a big step down for him to live around the old folks for that long. He has done a great job getting our Little House site up and going. There are still some finishing touches and a few changes and additions to be made, but hopefully it will be completely finished before too much longer (hint, hint). He and Brett have formed a nice friendship during their young adult years. It is interesting to observe their interaction now, as compared to when they were such immature, trying, bantering, he looked at me, stay out of my stuff, kids.

Additions by Debby:

Thanks, Joe, for writing for both of us this time. I’ll add just a couple of things. After Brett left for UTC and Blake left for UTK after we shopped for suit for him on the 14^th, I went up to the assembly building to help Carla prepare for Amanda’s wedding reception the following day. There were several there who had pitched in to help and it was fun to visit with different ones while we helped with the preparations. Joe and I attended the reception the following evening and enjoyed visiting with some of our friends while showing our support for Amanda and her family.

August held a red-letter day for me. On the 28^th, I began taking Centrum Silver for women. Weird. I don't feel old.