DOGWOOD ACRES, 11/22/09

DOGWOOD ACRES, 11/22/09, ELANE CRUM
Hello friends. Deer season has been a major topic of conversation for the past week. Rick got a nice buck with his bow just before the beginning of firearm season. We had it cut up into a lot of nice roasts, some burger and loin steaks. One of Rick’s favorite meals is roast with potatoes, onions and carrots in the crock pot. It is easy to fix; I put meat and onions in to cook early in the morning, then later in the day he adds potatoes and carrots.

He has been hunting all week with his rifle, but still waiting for the big one to come within his sights. When this season ends on Tuesday, he can go back to bow hunting, so I pretty well know where he will be most of the time.

Neal took Erin hunting in my blind on opening morning. They were back home by noon and he said she probably would not have stayed that long if she had not slept for an hour.

Connie Hammond nailed a young buck with a neck shot using her 30-30. It was a Sunday morning kill, but early enough that Leon got him field dressed and they were still on time for choir and church. She will be bow hunting and still hoping to see one of the BIG GUYS that came around the day BEFORE firearms season began.

Our bathroom remodels are just about done. After installing the new shower, Neal made beautiful hickory cabinets for the master bath. Now I have more drawers and shelves than ever before and am still reorganizing. So much stuff has accumulated and it is hard to decide what I may never need again, because it is likely that if I throw something away, I will need it next week. There was a drawer full of hair brushes and a bag full of curling irons. There are only two heads of hair in this house, so why?

Uncle Bill Smith had a light heart attack and ended up in the hospital the night before their kids came for vacation. The last time they came on vacation, he worked so hard that he was down in his back. I think they decided that it may be best to not give any advance notice and just show up. Chuck and Marilyn will be here for at least another week while Uncle Bill gets back on his feet.

Christie and Madison came to see Rick and me Saturday night. Their main reason for coming was to bring Frontline for Little Fox and the cats, and then Christie helped me get it on them. Two sets of hands are helpful, although Big Foot eluded us and I caught up with him later. They admired the new bathrooms and then connected a digital converter to our bedroom TV. Rick and I are thrilled to get nine channels on that TV now, when previously got pretty poor service with the rabbit ears antenna.

I saw new neighbor, Francine Robertson, at the Kissee Mills Post Office last week. She said they are just about completely moved and settled in their new house. I apologized for not being a very good neighbor, but hope to get over to see them during the Christmas season. She is looking forward to having all of her brothers and sisters here for Thanksgiving.

Iva Cummings Folck and Georgine Cummings were guests of honor at a surprise birthday party at Taney Center on Friday night. It was their 80th and the family planned a big potluck dinner and pickin’ party. We wanted to go but just could not make it. I know we missed some good times with family and friends.

This is Thanksgiving week and we have many things to be thankful for. Not long ago I shared with you about our friend, Mike, who was at Mayo Clinic awaiting a heart transplant. Due to Marfan’s Syndrome his heart already had a mechanical valve, a defibrillator and was only working at 10% capacity. The transplant heart came in record time and now, eleven days later, he is at home with his family and a new heart. During his hospital stay the family moved from Ava to a home near the hospital and the kids have started to their new school. We thank God for the gift of life and ask that you continue to pray for this family.