Time For Persimmons!

 It's that time of the year!

We are awaiting our first frost. That brings to mind my childhood when we would wait for the first frost to sweeten the lucious orange-colored persimmons hanging heavy on the tree down in the pasture.

You didn't dare eat one until that frost came, though. Turn your mouth inside out!!

The persimmon tree used to grow abundantly in this country (mainly in the south) but like so many other things, it's getting scarce. 

After Elbert retired from the Navy and we lived on our farm in Alabama, there was a persimmon tree in our pasture. 

One day he loaded me and my mom up in his truck and drove us over the grazing land, parked under the tree and we gathered ripe persimmons. 

Here's a photo of my Mom biting into one. That's just one of the sweet memories I have of the times we spent together. 

Have you ever eaten a persimmon? a native one or a hybrid one? 

She's Old, She is Cranky, But I Love Her

                                       I well remember the day I bought her! 

First car I ever shopped for, picked out and then purchased all by myself. I did ask my SIL to go along when I paid for it. Wasn't sure if the salesman would take advantage of this 'little ole lady' or not. 

I have loved this car from day one. Not many Ford 500s were made but it was perfect for me. The chasis was taller so with these long legs of mine I could pop right into the drivers seat. No problem. Lots of leg room in case I had passengers and a huge trunk (which came in handy when I moved). '

But, just like her 'mama' (ME) she is getting old. Next May she will be 20 years old. Oh, she looks almost as good as when I bought her (inside and out). And, she runs great. But, the battery won't stay charged! 

Bought a new battery. Same problem. Took it to the dealer, it was put on that fancy diagnostic machine. They couldn't come up with the problem. 

My son bought me a solar panel which sits in my back window, it's supposed to charge my battery. Still having problems.

Something is draining the power supply. When I turn the key off, something is not going off and it drains my power. But, what!!!! 

Son Michael is coming for a visit. He promised to figure it out for me. Keep your fingers crossed, toes, too if you can! 

This growing old is not for sissies!

 

This growing old is not for sissies! 

Or so they say. Usually I am pretty much in charge of my direction and destination in this journey through my 90s. But, last weekend I dug a hole and crawled into it.

I do not like cold weather. I'm miserable enough here in Virginia but I told Susan I'd come up to their place in New York for Christmas. Then, I started thinking about all the chances I would be taking...

1. Traveling through crowded airports exposing myself to god only knows what kind of germs

2. Sitting in a plane with recycled air with those germs flying around and around. I'd be sure to snag more than one and end up sick.

3. Slipping on ice and breaking my hip

4. Having tummy issues with all the different kinds of foods I'd be eating.

5. And no telling how bad the traveling crowds will be during the holidays, or how often a flight will be delayed or cancelled. I don't think I could handle that. 

I mean, the more I thought, the more depressed I got. If I was younger, there would be no doubt that I'd be there in a heartbeat. I wanted to be there, Susan wanted me there and that was our hearts talking. In the other ear, my head was saying 'Girl, are you stupid or what?' 

A chat with Susan on Tuesday lifted me outta that hole, and hey, I am fine now. Maybe i'll go up to see them in the spring. 

I think as we age, we let fears rule us more than when we were younger. What's your take on that? I guess I am talking to the older ones of my blogfriends. You younger girls.. hang around, if you are lucky, old age will hit you one of these days. 

To lighten the mood

Blogging Buddies

I guess I am feeling nostalgic today

but

I just wanted you all to know how much your friendship

means

to me!

Thank you for being my blog buddy. For being there when I need a shoulder to cry on, giving me laughter when I need a good one,  dancing with me with joy be it in sunshine or rain

and sharing my life with me.

Just don't know what I'd do without you all!

 

Veteran's Day

 

                        God bless our veterans. 

My veteran. Lt. Elbert Barton, U.S. Navy

over 22 years of service

in both Korea and Vietnam

1930-1911

Monkeys Jail Break

 

Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle...

Ever heard that saying?

I wouldn't want to be anyone's uncle or aunt, for that matter, in Beaufort County, South Carolina right now. 

Seems that 40 rhesus monkeys escaped from the research lab there and are roaming the countryside. Can you imagine driving down a road and a monkey jumps out of a tree right in front of your car!! You'd think you were in a tarzan movie or something.

But, a least only 40 got out... there are 4,000 monkeys on that island. All used for research. 40 of them pulled a cell break... 

Yes, this is a true story. I fact checked it myself.