happy place {october 31, 2021}

One of my biggest blessings for the last six years has been my summer job at Treadway Gardens. During the summer of 2020, this family farm and produce market became an oasis from the crazy and uncertainty for many, many people. Fresh air, delicious fruits and veggies, nice people (both customers and Treadway peeps), exchanging recipes and ideas with the customers with what their plans were for the produce they just bought, zinnias grown just for kids, the sunflower mural painted on the barn in honor of Frank Treadway are just a few of the reasons that this place holds a special place in my heart. 

Fast forward to October 31, 2021, the last day of the season, and "The Garden" once again is quiet. The year 'round sunflowers are still there, a beacon of hope and sunshine as they brighten the fall and the quiet winter landscapes.

"Stack cake" rocks from the Treadway family's home in Kentucky. 
Apple stack cake is a specialty of Appalachian cuisine. Traditionally the
cakes are made in a cast iron skillet, but they can be baked as well.
 The cake batter itself is made with molasses, and makes a crisp cake,
 similar to shortbread or biscuit. The apple filling for the cake can be
 made with applesauce, apple butter, or apple jelly. 

turnpike time...again {october 30, 2021}

CHICAGO TO CLEVELAND

On the road again and gray skies again

Hello, Hoosier State

And here we go across northern Indiana

Always, always, always do 😊

There's that triple FedEx truck again.
That's a lot of truck to haul.

Welcome to the Buckeye State! 

Puppy love to end our trip 🤎

 

first child's birthday {october 29, 2021}

Today, October 29, is the day I became a mom. 

October 29, 1984, T and I went to my parents' house for Sunday night dinner. Dad grilled the traditional steak and Mom fixed all the tasty side accompaniments. I didn't feel well, didn't want to eat, so I found a bed while the others ate their dinner. We went home and finally around 1:00 a.m. T said, "We're going to the hospital." I argued; I thought I had the flu. Three hours later I was holding the sweetest 7 pound  baby boy in my arms! 

Thank you for bringing the best job in the world to me!  💙

Today we also celebrated the life and said good bye to Tony, father of our soon-to-be son-in-law. He fought pancreatic for a year. Boy, does cancer suck.

Cheers to you, Tony.
Descanse en paz.

super sizes {october 28, 2021}

⁕ The largest font that's available on Blogger ⁕ A giant Old Glory flying in the wind ⁕ The arch spanning I-70 to bid farewell to Ohio ⁕ A colossal cross on the outskirts of Richmond, IN ⁕ Vast cornfields as far as they eye can see ⁕ The I-65 wind farm starting at mile 184 and stretching for 15 miles ⁕ Unlimited biscuits and cinnamon butter at Texas Roadhouse ⁕ 

don't cry because it's over. smile because it happened {october 27, 2021}

Our good friend is dying. He is on comfort care and his time on this earth is waning. We go to the hospital to talk to him, to reminisce, to say good-bye. When we walk into his room, his daughter is with him, playing one of his favorite songs, "Old Man," by Neil Young. "Old man take a look at my life, I'm a lot like you were..." 

Flowers still bloomed in the hospital parking lot. Even though they had just a  few more days, that last bit of color, that last bit of life was just beautiful. 

To Keith, our Star Wars loving friend: 

“We’ll always be with you. No one’s ever really gone. A thousand generations live in you now.” —Luke Skywalker, Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker

May the force be with you.

it's all about the breath {october 26, 2021}

It sure felt good to sleep in my own bed. After sitting in the car a lot in a short amount of time, I took a 3-mile run this afternoon and part of it was on the nature trail close to my house. It sure felt good to feel the deep breaths fill my lungs and make me feel alive. As my lungs fill with air, I think about my dear friend who is on his journey to his last breath. Fall colors, a quiet trail, blue sky, a quiet stream, sunshine...grateful for this moment.

back to ohio {october 25, 2021}

It's a rainy Monday and it's time to head back to Ohio. 

There is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.

~ John Ruskin

raining in chicago {october 24, 2021}

Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth;

without rain, there would be no life.

~ John Updike

Some people walk in the rain. Others just get wet.

~ Roger Miller 

walking in chicago {october 23, 2021}

First walk: The Hubbard Street Murals. Originally begun in 1971 by School of the Art Institute of Chicago graduate Ricardo Alonzo, this 11 block stretch of murals decorates the railroad embankment along Hubbard Street. Subjects of the murals are mostly animals and Mexican culture.

https://chicagoreader.com/arts-culture/the-b_line-has-resurrected-the-nearly-50-year-old-hubbard-street-murals-project/

Next walk: Fulton Market District to Downtown. I love the Riverwalk along the Chicago River. So many things to notice: sunshine, clouds, reflections, architecture, bridges, wind, political statements, people. 

We built up quite an appetite after walking most of the day. We're not the best at planning ahead for dinner reservations and we crossed our fingers that we could get into La Scarola. Success. Cin cin...alla vostra salute!

on the road again {october 22, 2021}

Road tripping from Cleveland to Chicago via the Ohio and Indiana Turnpikes (I-80 and I-90). From Cleveland going west, the Turnpike follows the curve of Lake Erie, passing through small town Ohio and ending at Toledo, where crossing the border it turns into the Indiana Turnpike. The Indiana Toll Road, officially the Indiana East–West Toll Road, is a tolled freeway that runs for 157 miles between the Ohio Turnpike and the Chicago Skyway. It has been advertised as the "Main Street of the Midwest.” Along the Indiana Turnpike are lots of small towns whose main businesses are in the RV, boating and camping industries. One of the better known small towns along the Turnpike is South Bend, home of Notre Dame.

While driving on the Turnpikes, we notice quite a few trucks hauling triple trailers. I haven’t seen this before. Perhaps a response to supply chain issues and the shortage of truckers.