It was a busy day here at Marshmallow Ranch. I started out the day bone weary because unfortunately, it was one of those nights that I tossed and turned till 4:00 in the morning. I knew I was keeping my sweetheart awake and there’s no need in both of us being sleep deprived. So I finally got up and went to the guest room. I keep it cooler in there and it wasn’t anytime and I was sound asleep. Still, I woke up pretty early and was ready to get to work.

I managed to persuade Mr. FixIt to let us relax and channel surf in our recliners on Friday, but yesterday was time to pay the piper for the privilege. One of the first things I needed to do was get the pork roast in the slow cooker. I usually don’t put much seasoning on it…maybe a little garlic or a shake of Farm Dust Unsalted Seasoning. I used the leftovers from a box of bone broth instead of putting water on it. It adds to the richness but you don’t want to put any salt in it.

I set the slow cooker on “High”, cleaned up the kitchen, and turned my attention to the dining room. We seldom eat in there, so when I was canning this fall, I just put all the jars of produce on the table and closed the door. I don’t know if you remember or not, but I can several dozen jars of food. I figure if I’m going to take the time to do it, I’d better put up enough that I don’t have to do it as often.

Mr. FixIt found a milk crate for me while I cleared off a couple of shelves in the basement to store the jars of food. The shelves in the hallway off the kitchen are packed, as is the pantry, so these jars needed to go downstairs. I carried nine jars at a time in the milk crate. It would hold twelve, but that was too heavy and awkward to carry down the steps. It took several trips and I was exceedingly careful on the steps. Now the jars are lined up and easy to reach. Mr. FixIt was kind enough to screw a piece of wood across the front of the shelf to make a guard to keep jars from falling off if they’re inadvertently bumped while reaching back. Always thinking ahead.

We got most of the canning gear downstairs, but by then it was time to stop and watch Big in her college swim meet. What a treat that was! I watched her standing on deck, waiting her turn to dive in and I marveled at how much she looked like her mama when she was eighteen. It gives me shivers. Big had a big weekend. She competed Friday night and Saturday, then rushed off to catch the train to the airport. Then she flew home for Thanksgiving weekend. 

I told Daughter #1 that I totally understand the excitement she is feeling getting her girl home. I felt it, as did my mom and my grandma. It was difficult for me when she and her husband got married and moved to Long Island for four years. I can’t imagine how hard it had to have been on my mom and Grandma when I moved to England right after finishing x-ray school. We didn’t get to see each other for over a year and it was my first time away from home.

After the meet was over, I finished fixing supper…pork roast with mashed potatoes and gravy and home canned green beans. I finished it off with a pan of homemade biscuits hot from the oven. Mr. FixIt ooooohed and ahhhhhhhed over the meal. I smiled demurely and said, “Aw, shucks…it’s just a little something I whipped up.” You know what they say…the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

I love this time of year. It’s the time when people reach out to each other. It’s been such a difficult few years. I hate seeing what has become of our people. There’s too much discord and disconnection and I fear it could become the “norm”. I vow to do everything in my power to normalize decency and empathy. This is the perfect time to reach out and love on each other…friend and neighbor…kith and kin…stranger and weary sojourner. Let’s ride that wave straight through the holidays and into the New Year and beyond, shall we? 

It isn’t “woke”. 

It’s being kind. And kindness matters.

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“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.””

1 Peter 3:8-12 ESV