Soda Pop

I have been getting the Lehman Hardware catalog for the last 30 or so years.  Since we were in Ohio, we decide to drive up to Kidron and visit it.  It's a neat store that started out selling supplies and non-electric appliances to the Amish community.  They still have all that plus much more that caters to tourists.  It was a unique place to visit.  I bought a couple of Amish straw hats as well as some maple syrup.

They have an extensive selection of soda pop.  I decided to try a few oddball flavors as well as one of my childhood favorites, Bubble Up.  I haven't tried the Bacon or Sweet Corn yet, but it should be interesting.

He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
Numbers 6:3

Sardis

After the wettest six months on record to start the year, July and August have been very dry.  Fortunately, July was cool.  August however, is ending very hot and humid, and the crops are starting to look stressed.  I spent the day yesterday at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur.  It was a warm 99 degrees in the afternoon at the showcase of agriculture.  Fortunately, there was a breeze blowing most of the day, and several exhibits had air conditioned tents.  Much water was consumed in the 8+ hours we spent there.

Last fall, at the Hospital Lumiere Benefit Auction, we bought a two night stay at the Orchard Bed and Breakfast in Sardis, Ohio.  We had never visited the Sardis church before, and had never stayed in a B & B before, so we thought this would be a good opportunity for both.
So, last weekend we finally got around to using our purchase.  On Friday, we drove to the beautiful Ohio River valley in the southern Ohio/West Virginia hills.  After checking in and eating supper at Marv's Place in historic downtown Sardis, we headed up into the hills to visit the old Sardis church and cemetery.  On Saturday we headed into the West Virginia hills in search of the old New Martinsville church and cemetery.  The "country" roads are all narrow winding roads that follow creeks, climb hills, and follow ridge lines.  The weather and the views were beautiful.  We found the church and looked around inside (we were given a key), then enjoyed reading the names and dates on the graves.  The grave diggers and undertakers need to be brave working on some of these hillside graveyards!

We saw lots of deer and wild turkeys as we drove around in the hills.  The farms were usually built on the tops of the ridges, so the roads would pass right through the barnyards.  At times, it was hard to tell the road from driveways.  At one point in our wanderings, we crossed the Ohio River on the Fly Landing Ferry (operating continuously since 1815) from Sisterville, W.V. to Fly, Ohio.

The Victorian home that we stayed in was very nice and comfortable, and hostess Doris Miller fed us well and took good care of us.  We enjoyed wonderful worship and  fellowship with the Sardis congregation on Sunday, then we headed up to Amish country for a stop overnight on our way home.

Old Sardis Church.  Now the Fellowship Center.

View from the Sardis cemetery.

New Martinsville Church and cemetery.

Wild Turkey crossing the road in front of us as we left N.M.,W.V. Church.

I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.
Genesis 23:4

Classic

We have reclaimed our living room/dining room/sun room.  Life is starting to get back to normal. 

We are entering the lull before harvest.  We had our test plot tour and lunch yesterday.  Lots of plot days and seed meetings this time of year.  If you wanted to, you could get a free meal or two just about every day.

Son #2 vacationed in the mountains of Glacier National Park in Montana this summer, and while out west saw lots of the original SUV's.  Since he was looking to get a different vehicle anyway, he started looking online for Jeep Grand Wagoneers and found a low mileage one in Kansas.  He caught a ride to KC with his Uncle and Aunt on their way home from the conference, and cousin Ned drove him to Wichita where he purchased his "new" wheels.  Most of the females are not impressed, but most of the males like the classic mountain chic.

And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
Isaiah 49:11

Filled Up

Well, the wedding went off without a hitch last weekend, and the service was nice.  There was a beautiful bride (and bridesmaids), and a handsome groom (and groomsmen).  The church was full, and we were surprised and blessed by some of the people who made the effort to attend; including Ed and Peggy coming from California.  There was plenty of reception food, so we had left over wraps for several meals, and we've been eating wedding cake all week.

I've been doing double duty chores since Wednesday, as both my brother's family and our neighbor are on vacation.
This year was one of the best sweet corn years we've had in a long time.  The recent cool weather slowed maturity and prolonged the season.  We had good pollination, no raccoons, and lots of medium sized ears.  We've been eating fresh corn for several weeks now.

I was able to attend our annual church conference on Friday in Fairbury.  I drove there with Uncle Russell, and enjoyed his stories and wisdom as we traveled.  It was a blessing to be there, and there was a wonderful show of support from the brotherhood.  I appreciated the passionate exhortations from our servant leaders.  If only I could retain all that we heard!  My mind and heart were filled to overflowing.
 I've mentioned this in the past, but the spirited singing of a 1000+ voice, mostly male choir is truly an awesome sound to behold.  I saw dozens of people that I would have liked to visit with (from all over the country), but I left shortly after it was over to get home to the chores.

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Proverbs 15:22

Candlelight and roses

She was our little fuzz head. 
She was my umpitty wumpitty squeazums pie.   *blush*
The little girl who liked "high hugs" when I tucked her into bed at night.
She is the baby of the family, and we teased her of being a little bit spoiled.  A little dramatic at times, not too fond of roosters, and a somewhat irrational fear of spiders.  I enjoyed annoying her in the mornings and late at night . . . just by talking to her.  She is consistent, supportive, compliant, mature, smart, has a big heart, and has a desire to help the vulnerable (which led her into social work).

She gave her life to the Lord the youngest of all of our children.  I admired her ability to faithfully deal with the obstacles that a young Christian girl faces in 8th grade, high school, and through college (sometimes without a lot of peer support, sometimes chided by her peers).

She added a spark to our home, especially when the older siblings started leaving.  We were hoping to keep her around a little longer (to take care of us in our old age), but fortunately she won't be far away.  And she will be in good hands.  Nathan is a fine young man and we welcome him to our family.

It will be a much quieter place here in the old farmhouse when she's gone!

Congratulations and God's Blessing Nathan and Michelle!

 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.
 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
Genesis 24:57,58