humor

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.

Love in the Afternoon

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

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?

Name Change

If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?

I am so  glad I didn’t get this opportunity.  When I was a kid, Mother told me a story about a little girl whose parents allowed her to name herself.  She chose Chippy Lee. I thought that was an inspired name and asked if I could be Chippy Lee.  Sadly, Mother denied me.  Not long after, I started school and read a book about Nancy.  Immediately, I wanted to be Nancy, so I could be Fancy Nancy.  Again. I was denied.  Before long, I met a girl named June who had adorable spectacles with red plaid frames and realized I needed to be June.  Once again. I was denied.  I gave up on name changing then until I got married and changed my last name. Somehow, that didn’t have the same flair.  I was fortunate in one way, though.  My maiden name started with an S and my married name with B, so I did move up alphabetically.

Andrew and Molly Part 24

Without a word, Aggie scooped up the little girls and guided a protesting Jamie back to her cabin as the grieving family headed for the dusty road.

“This has gone on long enough,” Molly stated flatly., gesturing for Andrew to follow her into the kitchen. “Time to talk. Rosemarie, take the baby and go to Aggie.”

Andrew sat glumly at the rough kitchen table as Molly made tea and sliced bread, sausage, and cheese. How unlike the times they’d shared a simple meal before his capture. He desperately regretted reproaching her for marrying the master before having a chance to reconcile.

Sarah poured steaming tea and placed a full plate before him. “Time to talk. What are we to do? We loved and needed each other once. Now I am a widow, a mother with children to protect, and a farm to run. I was made to marry our master, though I admit, it was not against my will. Thinking you dead, I feared my fate with no protection. This is a hard place to be a bondswoman with no one to defend me. I truly grieved you, but did what I had to do. Even the reverend insisted I marry Wharton. What are we to do? Now I have children to consider, Jamie is yours by birthright, though Wharton accepted him. The girls are truly Wharton’s.”

Andrew broke in. “We were truly married. I am your one true husband. I’ve never stopped loving you. All I could think of was escaping and getting back. I feared for you every hour I was gone.”

Just then, Rosemarie rushed in. “Make haste! Aggie sent me.! It’s Bartles!”

Perfect Chocolate

Describe your dream chocolate bar.

Perfect chocolate! What an idea! First of all, it would be dark and rich. It would be married to a generous layer of caramel and walnuts. It wouldn’t melt so I could carry it with me. My perfect chocolate would regenerate itself so it was always there. Best of all, it would be calorie-free and maybe even help me achieve my perfect weight. That’s not much to ask, is it?