Warm and pleasant greetings to all. We hope you are enjoying a good week.
There are challenging and busy times, but that’s how we all keep on the go. Poet Charles Dickens said: “Have a heart that never hardens and a temper that never tires and a touch that never hurts.”
The weather seems to be the starting topic of most conversations, especially when the weather temperatures are extremely hot or cold.
Does July (or did June) remind you of something you said in January, when you were wishing it was a bit warmer or you were wishing for summertime? OK, it’s summer. What’s your wish now?
When you’re young, perhaps there is not much thought about the weather. As children, you knew what you enjoyed doing any season and were happy for that time. As you age, you learn or will learn how to appreciate the beauty, feel the nature and know it’s time for thankfulness.
As children, we enjoyed winter, playing in the snow and wearing our snow suits. The one-piece zip-up was roomy, soft and kept us warm. We always wore our outfits to the Christmas parade.
Come springtime, we would get outdoors to swing (my favorite), pull the wagon, roll tires and pick strawberries in season. Of course, school was always in mind, with both parents being teachers. There was always, any day and most days, reading, writing and arithmetic to do.
Never ask parents, “What can we do?” Bring a pencil and any kind of paper, and you get a page of numbers to add, subtract, multiply or divide. Summertime was just naturally fun! Of the six siblings, there were always at least four older and big enough to play together if we needed a group to sing, play church or have school.
During the summer, we enjoyed homemade ice cream, melons and berries.
In the fall season we would enjoy the countryside, visiting aunts and uncles. Gathering hickory nuts in the woods. Time passes, people pass and places change as nature takes its course, and we can see creation stands for its design and divine purpose. Continue to enjoy the summer.
Thanks to friends who have shared their bounty with us. Several times we have already enjoyed one of my lifelong favorite vegetables, squash.
We still miss growing a summer and fall garden. It’s good to know others still enjoy gardening and yet others are learning to garden. It’s good for us all to know how important good foods are for our health.
A good summer vegetable like zucchini squash is one my family enjoys eating raw, steamed, grilled, roasted or sauteed — every way the squash can be prepared. Bake it in bread and muffins.
Did you know the flowers from the zucchini plant can be eaten?
When choosing squash, it’s best to choose small, firm, bright green color and glossy skin. Avoid large, bruised, tough or dull zucchini.
Large squash are tough and have more seeds. I slice the large zucchini lengthwise and remove seed with a spoon, shred the squash and use in breads. Next week, I may share a squash recipe.
Enjoy the summertime.
