Month: June 2025

Andrew and Molly Part 27

Late in the afternoon, Aggie walked to Bartles’ grave. Molly offered to go with her, but she wanted time alone.

Not ready to leave yet, the reverend lingered over tea. Having been raised Catholic, Molly had not attended the services of the Anglican Church. Though she’d met Reverend Bennett through her close association with the Bartles she’d never considered him her spiritual advisor, nor felt any particular need of an advisor. Aggie, in particular, was devout, and made it no secret that Molly should be attending services, especially for the sake of the children’s tender souls.

While Molly packed her things to hurry home to her children, Reverend Bennett asked to speak to her on a church matter. “Reverend Bennett, I am Catholic. My children were baptized in the Anglican faith because at their father’s request.”

“I know, but am concerned about the soul of the little one in your house brought back from the Indians. He needs baptizing.” Reverend Bennett pronounced.

“I suppose he does,” Molly agreed. “But he’s only been here a few days. I’m hoping someone comes forward once word gets around. Most assuredly his family will want him baptized in their faith.”

“I know a bit of your background.” said Reverend Bennett. Molly bristled at his tone. “ I understand Andrew brought this child with him when he escaped. Did he know who the child’s family might be?”

Turning to leave, Molly replied curtly. “I have no idea. You’d best speak to Andrew.”

Tagline

If humans had taglines, what would yours be?

It is what it is.

Love in the Afternoon

I was careful not to disturb this pair as I don’t want to run out of lizards.

Andrew and Molly Part 26

Rosemarie tiptoed in at dawn bringing the women boiled eggs, corn porridge and tea. She found them nodding at Bartles’s bedside. His noisy breathing had stopped. He was dead. Rosemarie sat her basket on the table, gently touched Molly’s shoulder, and tiptoed out.

Molly took Aggie’s hand, waking her to her loss. “He’s gone to God.”

Aggie sighed stoically. “What will I do without him?”

Molly returned. “What will we do without him? He knows everything about our places.”

As the women prepared the body for burial, they heard hammering as the men built a coffin. Soon the minister arrived to offer comfort and prepare for the funeral. The neighbors brought a funeral meal that included stewed squirrel, baked chicken, ham and roast beef. The table groaned under baked yams, beans, potatoes, squash, and tomatoes. Pies and cakes were too numerous to count.

Will and Aggie Bartles were good neighbors, held in high regard. There was not a family who was not a beneficiary of their kindness. Women bustled about the kitchen tending the table and tidying up. Men spoke in hushed tones, doing whatever chores they could, including chopping wood, harness repair, and replacing shingles.

The service was simple, scripture and a eulogy. The mourners ringed around the grave on the Bartles small acreage in view of the back door of the small, neat cabin. Aggie stood stoic and unweeping as they lowered the body into the grave.

Croc the Dog: A Hilarious Mealtime Experience

Our mastiff-lab mix came to live with us about seven years ago at the age of three at a svelte ninety pounds. Having no interest in body image or physical fitness once he moved into a childless home, he let himself go and started packing on the pounds. He eventually got up to a a roly-poly one hundred twenty-eight pounds. Though he continued to be proud of himself, we dreaded taking him to the vet. It wasn’t so bad if we got the portly vet, but the slim and trim vet fat dog-shamed us. I’m pretty sure she came close to mentioning our physiques, like dog like dog parent I guess.
we tried cutting back on the amount we fed him, but he begged for food incessantly .

After considerable suffering, I decided to can his food myself: one third each portions of lean meat, vegetables, and brown rice. The weight started to drop off. Over about three months, he’s lost twenty-eight pounds and is allergy-free. He gets a quart every morning and evening

.I thought you might like to see how my big dog Croc feels about his food. You needn’t watch the 4 minute 24 second video to get the idea. For the full experience, turn the sound up. He usually interrupts his meal half-way through to drink about a pint of water, not bothering to close his massive mouth before walking back to his food bowl, wetting four feet of kitchen floor en route. He never wastes a morsel of food, except maybe to get a smear on my white cabinet doors. He’s generally grateful enough after a meal to come kiss me.

Time

Who do you spend the most time with?

I am fortunate enough to spend most of my time with my husband of fifty-five years. We spend most of our time working on our house and yard. I am grateful.

Dog Food Day

Today is dog food day, the day I can food for my mastiff-lab mix. Croc’s weight peaked at 128 pounds. He was short of breath,wheezed and snored badly. He was also plagued with allergies and licked his itchy feet incessantly. The vet wanted his weight down to 90 pounds. I decided to start him on home canned dog food.

I make it of 1/3 lean meat, 1/3 vegetables, a mix of beans and whatever frozen or fresh veggies or fruit I have available, and 1/3 brown rice. I can enough for it least a week at a time. I could as easily freeze it. In three months, his weight has dropped to 100 pounds. His allergies have cleared up and he no longer has itchy feet. He runs again. His snoring and shortness of breath have resolved as well.

He is always so happy to see my canner come out, knowing he’ll have fresh food for dinner

His health is greatly improved since switching him to home canned food.

Andrew and Molly Part 25

They found Aggie on the cabin floor grimly clutching Bartle’s hand where he had collapsed. Blood leaked from his right ear. He made no response to Aggie’s pleas. The two little girls clung to Abbie’s dress tail, crying.

Perkins, the bondsman, and Andrew lifted the unresponsive man to the bed. Aggie gently got him settled and staunched the blood oozing from his ear. His breathing was raspy and irregular.

“I’ve seen this before,” pronounced Aggie glumly. “He’ll not live. He’s in God’s hands now.” Stoically, she pulled a chair to keep vigil.

Molly spoke to Rosemarie. “Take all the young ones over to my house and get them fed and abed. You’ll need to get supper for the men when their day is through. I’ll sit with Aggie.”

They sat quietly through the long evening. Aggie broached the subject of Andrew’s return. “Bartles deeply grieved Andrew’s capture. We had come to love you both and feared for your future. We were overjoyed when Master Wharton married you and took you under his protection. Your babes have filled our hearts with love. When Andrew returned, Bartles hoped you’d be joined again in marriage.”

Molly answered Aggie. “I loved Andrew. I prayed for his return. Things are not so simple since I have children. I don’t even know if I am still married to Andrew since I married the master. If my marriage to the master was true, his land will go to my children. The reverend who insisted I marry is dead and cannot speak for me now. If I am still married to Andrew, I might be judged an adulterer and sold back into bondage. My children might be judged bastards. I could be jailed. If questions are raised, who knows where the law leaves either me or Andrew? I fear approaching the law. Who knows what will happen to me and my children?

Jump Frog

This guy poked his head up as I was just ready to plant. I jumped and shrieked like he was a monster. I wonder if he thought it was funny?