Warm and pleasant greetings to all. We hope you are enjoying the beauty of nature and the last week of daylight saving time. We will be back to central standard time beginning Sunday, Nov. 1.
We have enjoyed some quiet afternoons outside. Sometimes there is not a creature to be heard or seen and other times it’s only the rustling sound of tree leaves.
The outside morning sun can activate your vitamin D, and just being outside can support your oxygen level. Better mind, better health, better you!
It is such a pleasure to greet others when out in the community. It’s my favorite now, especially seeing those I have not seen for a while and, yes, those greeted the day before.
This time of year fields are white with cotton and machines are operating at different phases to harvest the crop. Sweet potatoes, of course, have been in season since late August. Perhaps your family has already had a first taste and is expecting to enjoy more sweet potato dishes as the holidays approach. Reports show, according to MSU Extension Service, roughly 35,000 acres of sweet potatoes were planted in Mississippi, an increase of 10% from the year before. Surely sweet potatoes will be listed on the menu wherever you are dining.
Most cooks have their own basic recipes for sweet potatoes. I share my special tip and you may do this, too. I like to drain, cook sweet potatoes and add back to the pan, heating until liquid evaporates.
Remove from heat and add other ingredients. You don’t want watery potatoes. Vanilla or bourbon/rum gives potatoes a more tasty flavor.
Talking about cooking, I made an angel food cake with a box cake mix and it was perfect. My family likes fresh fruit with whipped cream or ice cream on angel food cake. I had never used an angel food cake mix. I either made the cake from scratch or occasionally bought a cake. It is good. Have some.
Tuesday, Nov. 3, will be a busy day when people will be out to vote. We hope you will show up at the polls if you didn’t vote early.
Many do vote early. Before you head to the polls, become familiar with who is on the ballot and know something about the candidate’s platform. Know why you are voting. Your local elections are very important, not just the presidential election only. We, the people, are their constituents, and like it or not, they are the ones who speak/represent us.
We are proud to know our grandson voted for the first time. His mother made a scene of responsibility, taking pictures and all.
Before Ethan’s 18th birthday, he heard the story from his mother, who has read all about how we earned the right to vote and heard the sessions from civics teacher Mr. Young, state and local government teacher Mr. Grant and U.S. History teacher Mr. Richards. These classes may not exist anymore.
Ethan will remember his first time voting for a while! He vowed to never miss the opportunity to exercise his rights, privilege and responsibility to vote. He knows the importance of voting and promises to encourage his peers and others to vote. Your one vote may be the one to shape, determine or ease the atmosphere of your community, state or America!
I am not very political. I can’t sell a raffle ticket, but I am a proud citizen and know what it means to have a voice in the process. Your voice matters!
Vote!
