THIS AND THAT

This and that is when I find items that I don't have enough for a post of, but think are interesting.  The first three are mail boxes I saw. Next is an old gas pump that I remember from when I was young.  Next is an antique truck.  The last three are machinery I saw on a couple of farms.

JEAN'S GOINGS ON

Guess this ladies week this week.  Anna did Monday and I am doing this one.

We talk about all the work we do, thought I would tell you some of activities we do.  Being summer, we try to get out when we can.  Ruth and I have been cooking and baking.  This week after meeting, Thomas, Ruth, Michael, Edward, Katie, Susan, David Jr., David and I are going on a picnic.  Edward asked if he could bring a lady friend, also.  We said yes.

We remember what happened between Thomas and Ruth, last year  So we are wondering if Edward has found someone special, too.  Edward says she belongs to our meeting (church), So we figure it must be someone we know. David asked if something was coming we didn't know.  Edward says, no,  but he was smiling when he said that.

Told Thomas, and he said that means they would have to move.  David told him, not to start building their new house yet.  Thomas and Ruth were thinking that maybe they should build their new house, anyway.  The only one of our adopted sons that isn't 18 yet is Michael and his birthday is in October..

Anyway, on Sunday, we shall find out who this young lady is that Edward is bringing.

We also like to get in the buggy, in the evening, maybe go to the ice cream parlor to get ice cream cones, and watch the beautiful sunsets.  We also like to fishing.  The only one who really doesn't enjoy fishing is Ruth.  She does it, when we all go, but it is not one of her favorite pastimes.

Michael and Edward also go meet with the young folks.  They have soft ball or volley ball games, cookouts, singing, and more.  On Saturday evenings, they have singings at someones home.    We parents all take turns having these at our homes.

Susan is growing and wants to go to singings.  She is too young.  She does go with young folks their own age to soft ball and volley games.  Sometimes she plays.  Sometimes she encourages the others.  She has some friends that like to go fishing, like she does, so she goes along.  Sometimes one of them brings a picnic for all.  Sometimes each brings their own lunch.

Thomas, Michael, Edward and David got together and built Thomas and Ruth a new buggy. Even Kevin came over to give them a hand.  They don't do that for everyone.   It's just that Thomas and Ruth were going over their finances and couldn't afford another buggy.  It almost looks like it was made by a professional buggy maker.  Thomas and Ruth treasure it.  They can't believe we would all do that for them. We reminded them that Thomas worked, too.  This buggy has a front seat and back seat.  David and I hope they fill that back seat up with grandchildren.  They tell us not to rush.

Oh, I got off subject.  Sometimes we go and take walks to see the beautiful flowers, trees, animals that God has graced us with.  Seeing the sunset is breath taking.   We also just sit on our porch, have ice tea or lemonade  and talk.

Be With God,
Jean

ERIE CANAL BIKERS

I got the pictures of these bikers in my back yard.  These bikers are biking from Buffalo, New York to Albany, New York along the Erie Canal.  This year there are 600 people biking.  Across the street from where I live is one of their rest stations that is handled by the Kiwanis Club.  After they leave here they continue on their way.

SMALL AMISH FARM

Was driving on some roads I hadn't driven before and came across this small Amish Farm.

ANNA IS BACK

First off, I want to add to something Elmer said last week.  As Elmer said before, it is hard to get some people, especially Englishers to work on our farm because they believe farming is a low grade job.  We appreciate that many of you appreciate us farmers, not just the Amish and Old Order Mennonite, but all farmers, for what we do.  Also, I agree with Fiona, that people should buy more American foods.  Really, not just food but all items.

When shopping, we try to buy American items whenever we can.  Believe us, we have nothing against items for foreign countries, but I believe we should buy home products first.  Yes, I have bought some yarn from other countries, but I buy most of it U.S. made.

John and Dot's house has been started.  The house is up, but the interior has yet to be done.  The plumbing and electric has to be done.  The building inspector laughed because he said that electric was going to be put into this house and USED.  It is funny as both our house and my sister Hannah's house has electric wiring in it, but we don't have it hooked to the poles as we don't use electric.

The floors are in John and Dot's house, but the walls aren't in.  As the electric wiring and plumbing aren't in,  - the insulation isn't in either.  They were going to put in store bought cupboards in the kitchen as they were less expensive, but Dot didn't really want store bought.  So, David, Jean's husband, and their son Thomas, got together and are making her cupboards for her.  Because of all the driving of them John and Dot do for them, they are giving them a discount price, they wouldn't others. Dot and John are pleased, especially Dot.  She wanted a stone counter top, so David said, he will have to buy that - as he can't make stone - God does that.  John, Dot, Jean and David went out when they picked out the stone counter top.  It still isn't all in the house yet.

My sister Hannah, her husband Moses, and their children are thinking of selling their farm and moving back to Pennsylvania.  When they first came here, their idea was to start a general store in our area.  They have been looking at vacant buildings, checking into places they would buy merchandise, etc.  Also, they went to Pennsylvania to look at a store that is for sale.  It includes the store and house.  This store has been in business for several years and is very successful.  The Amish people that own it, want to sell it, as they are getting up in years and want to retire.

Of course Elmer and I don't want them to sell and move.  Hannah is my twin sister.  We love having Moses, Hannah and our nieces and nephews next door to us.  Elmer said, if they were really serious in selling, we would buy it as we want to particular on who we want next door to us.

When they lived in Pennsylvania Hannah and Moses owned and operated a general store.  When they moved here, their idea was to do farming and have the store.  Things don't seem to be working that way.  So far, this is all discussion, but they have to make a decision soon as the people in Pennsylvania want to sell their store and house before winter comes.


Well, I guess that is all I have to say right now.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Anna

OSPREY - AGAIN

Tried to get some pictures of the babies.  She has them hid in the nest.

TOM, THE BACKROADS TRAVELLER - EDGEWOOD NURSERY - PART 2

Today, I started with some of the trees that Tom has at his nursery.  There are so many different styles and shapes.  I found them very interesting.  In picture ten, Tom has a trough among his plants.  Picture eleven is a statue that he has.  As I was taking the picture, the sprinkler system came on.  Of course, I ended with more of the flowers that Tom has in his nursery.

I should have brought a pad and a pen to write down all the different flowers and trees as he told what they were - but I forgot.

Again, I thank Tom for allowing me to come.  I really enjoyed it.  Now that I know where the Edgewood Nursery is, I plan on going again.