Well, last week I explained how our grandchildren are carrying on the tradition of running grocery stores and “rounding up” cattle here on the farm.
There is just one more to begin her many years of learning and deciding what will be her lifelong quest.
This year is her first year to be away from home, and especially her mama, other than for staying with us, ever. She has made her trek to the school, met her teacher, saw the play area, the bathrooms, and the “treasure chest,” opened upon good work accomplished. Work, that is the key word here. She is a social butterfly and loves to boss, or perhaps “supervise,” her friends, talk incessantly and never sit still. How do you tame a little girl who has been the boss of her, and my, household for the past five years? It’s going to be a challenge to say the least.
This thought brings back so many memories of yesterday years, some I probably should not admit but I hope that those who know me realize I turned out somewhat normal.
My mother would put me on the school bus bound for first grade and when the bus made the first stop after my boarding, I would jump off and run back home. As we only had one car, Mama could not get me to school. I did this until one day my mama broke a little keen switch from a tree in our front yard and hit my legs every time I took a step walking all the two miles to school.
My boys started kindergarten and were model students, no theatrics, just went without question. Then, there came our girl. She was more determined not to go to school than I was. I remember her first week of kindergarten, I had to park and sit in the parking lot just outside her classroom window so she would be sure I waited for her, every day. We finally got through that hurdle in the days that followed.
Then in first grade, I pulled her from the car with tears, and as I drove away the first day of school and looked into my rearview mirror, what should I see but a little blonde girl running after my car. She could dream up more reasons not to go to school than a face full of freckles.
So now, here we go with the caboose, the end of children and grandchildren to begin school. Think about us on opening day and, who knows, Emmie Jo may be ready to take over her classroom in a few days and as for her forever vocation, I can just imagine her as CEO of our company or perhaps wrangling the big Angus cows someday.
This is Sam’s recipe for a delicious watermelon ice cream. So easy. You’ll love it.
Take ½ of a medium-sized watermelon left in the freezer for at the least 24 hours so that it is frozen through.
Remove from freezer and work the watermelon into a slush and add ¾ can of evaporated milk, ½ can of regular milk, 1 t. vanilla and work into a mixture as ice cream. Eat immediately.
