Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Tires / Clocks

    Having interesting requests from customers was nothing unusual in our little woodworking business. We used to try to do our best to make the visions they had for special pieces of furniture come true.

    One day several men stopped in. They unloaded a tire from the back of their pickup truck and rolled it into the shop. 

    They proceeded to tell us how this was a special tire. One that had been used on a car at one of the Nascar races and that they would like to have us make a clock with it.

    They explained how they envisioned it and told us what they would be willing to pay for it. 

    The tire they brought along was only the first of what they hoped would be hundreds of clocks we would make for them.

    The opportunity sounded great, but before my parents would commit to this they wanted to think it over.

    The guys agreed, and left, leaving the tire there until they would come back to get their answer.

    I was excited about the prospect. I could see myself helping with this project, and the possibility of making hundreds if not thousands of clocks … well, the math was good.

    Dad and Mom weren’t that excited about it though. Race car tires! What if that would cause their children to become interested in sports or even worse, cars! No amount of money was worth that they decided and told the guys that we would not be making the clocks. 

    I’ve often wondered if they ever did find someone to make clocks for them, and if it was a successful venture.

    Sadly for my parents, turning down that opportunity did not keep their children Amish. Though I do not regret leaving, I do feel bad for the heartache I know they have carried because of our decision.

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Raising a Baker

    I should have known she would become our resident bread baker some day. 
    From the time she was a wee little girl, Sharon loved anything to do with yeast doughs, and would always try to help me when ever it was time to bake breads.


    Roles almost seem to be reversed now, as I tiptoe into the kitchen and peek over her shoulder to see what her latest creation will be. 
    At this point I've lost count of the number of different breads, rolls, and related treats that have been produced by her capable hands.
    This afternoon she is doing a side by side comparison of cinnamon rolls. One batch she's using Pioneer Woman's recipe, while the other will be made with a donut recipe that she decided to turn into cinnamon rolls.
    I'm looking forward to seeing how they compare.
~~~~~
    There may be things I wish I could go back and do differently from their childhood years, but one thing I'll never regret is how I always welcomed them to "help" even when it slowed me down. 
    Those few years of inconvenience have paid off way more than I ever realized they would at that time.

Monday, October 12, 2020

Random Bits

     LV whisked me away for a few days. We spent our time hiking, exploring, and enjoying each other's company.
     It was such a time of relaxing and refreshment, and I enjoyed every minute.
     I only took a little over 300 pictures. I'll share some of them later.
~~~~~
     I'm writing again, and loving it. I opened files I had stored away on my computer and read everything and became reinspired to get more books published.
     Stay tuned.
 ~~~~~
      The fall colors have been spectacular this year. Combine that with bright blue skies and puffy white clouds and you really couldn't ask for a more perfect fall.
      This morning that changed and we were greeted with fog, a fast drizzle, and general sogginess.
      It may have affected Steven's mood a bit when he surveyed his math assignment for the day. Division isn't as exciting as it used to be.
      First he calculated how many days are left in the school year, and then how many days until he graduates. It all became a bit overwhelming to him.
      He came up with a solution though. "Mom," he said. "We should become Amish and once I graduate we could leave again."
~~~~~
      I'm trying a new recipe for roasted squash for supper tonight.
      I've never used patty pan squash before, but I'm looking forward to it.