ELMER'S POST

It seems we went from winter into summer.  Doesn't seem to be much of a spring.  Been very warm.  I am not complaining - just stating fact.  So glad the weather is warmer and we get to do our farming work.

Whenever our children or  grandchildren come over, we tell them to be careful and not break a window on the greenhouse.  We especially tell the grandchildren when they play soft ball or volley ball in our yard.  Stay away from the house windows and greenhouse windows.

One Saturday some of our children and grandchildren came over to our house.  The ladies help clean the house, with baking, helping with the garden and alike.  Some of our grandchildren mowed the lawn and helped the ladies.  My sons and grandsons were going over the farming equipment to make sure they were okay.  Some also cleaned out the barn.

After work, we all had ice tea and cookies.  Adults sat and talked.  The children started to play softball.  Some of our grandchildren's friends had come over to play.  Again, I gave my lecture on not hitting the house windows or the greenhouse windows.  So they played softball away from both.

Anna saw something she asked me to rake out of the corner of the garden.  The garden is right next to the greenhouse.  I went in, got the rake and raked what Anna asked.  When I got done, I was looking at my work and swung back the rake forgetting what was behind me and put the rake through one of the windows on the greenhouse.

The soft ball game stopped when the children realized what I did.  All were watching me and Anna.  I guess they thought we were going to get upset.  Anna said: "Elmer did it again."  Our grandchildren started laughing and so did their friends.  So did Anna and I.  What I enjoyed hearing was my grandchildren telling their friends: Our grandparents never get mad."

Well I can't say we don't all the time, but most of the time.  I put cardboard where the window was and taped it in.  On Monday, I bought a window - in fact four windows.  Told the man at the store, I am always breaking them, I might as well have extras so I won't be running to the store all the time.  Now the replacement window is in and we have extras.

Anna is doing much better.  She still uses her cane - sometimes.  Actually, she is using it less and less.  Now she cooks our meals, handles her greenhouse and checks on her garden.  This year, I think our daughters are keeping an eye on the garden for her.  Also, they have been doing all her housework and most baking.

I am so glad that Anna is back with our meals as no one cooks as good as her except maybe my Mother, but Anna knows that.  She has also baked me a couple of my favorites for me.  Don't want her over doing too fast.

We have something to ask you folks.  Marilyn came up with the idea.  Bishop Eli, Emma, Jean, David, John, Dot, Anna and I got discussing this.  This wouldn't be until next year, but wondered if anyone would be interested.  We know most of the people that read this are not in our area.  But anyway here goes.

Would anyone be interested in going on a local tour of Old Order Mennonite and Amish farms, schools, and in Mennonite case a church?  Then one of us would have an Amish Dinner in our home.  John and Dot would be the drivers in their van.  It would be a one day trip and dinner.

There probably would be a charge as we feel that John and Dot should be paid.  Also, the dinner fixings would cost.  The dinner would probably be at Bishop Eli and Emma's house as theirs is the biggest.  Jean, David, Bishop Eli, Emma, Anna, myself and anyone else that you know from New York State of Mind would try to be there. We have made no plains.  This is just a discussion. But we would really like know if anyone would interested?

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer