You say tomato, I say

Ta Mah Tah.

Or not.

Here, depending on how far up the mountains you reside, we say "tamata", or if you are really country, "damater" or just plain, "mater".

Whatever you call it, man alive, it's one good food.

I say this because, as ya'll know, summer is ending and that means the end of the fresh picked, still warm from the sun, tomato.

Makes me shed a tear.

You know, folks originally thought the tomato was poison. Some brave soul decided to eat it anyway.

I picture it thusly: Immediately preceding the first bite of the tomato, a loud, braggadocio voice in mountain man accent hollers: "Hey ya'll, watchis!"

And, I believe, after the crowd took one look at the rapturous countenance that appeared on his unshaven face, they galloped to the nearest loaf bread and Blue Plate and commenced to make the first mater sammiches.

And probably, (though I have no proof) they passed by a cow in the pasture and someone thought what's good for the calf is good with a mater sammich and braved themselves to pour a tall glass of milk to go with their new delicacy.

Man, I love history.

Mooving Target

Daughter was coming home around midnight several months ago. She was on a very dark, curvy country road. I know this because the phone woke me up.

"Mama? I don't know what to do. I've pulled over on the side of the road because when I rounded a curve just a second ago a black cow was standing in the middle of the road. I don't know how I missed it, but I did. I reckon the Good Lord was watchin' after me. But, what do I do now?"

Me: "Call 911."

Daughter: "For a cow?"

Me: "It's very dark. It's on a dangerous curve. Some fool will be goin' fastern you and them and the cow will wake up dead. Call 911."

Daughter: "Okay. But if they think I'm nuts and put me in jail, you can come bail me out."

Click.

Of course, she didn't get locked up, and as far as I know  Farmer 911 came and got the cow out of the road.

Also, a few weeks ago as Daughter and I rounded another curve, a red tail hawk happened to be swooping down to catch a mouse in the ditch. He was intent on his journey and didn't see our car as he started back up. He barely missed our windshield by back peddling (or in this case back winging) as we zoomed past him. He had his dinner in his claws.

After girl screams and ewwwwing at the lunch, we had to stop and let our hearts slow down. I mean, he came this close to dining in.

Then a few days ago Daughter and I were coming home and a gigantic turkey decided to fly up and barely missed the windshield.

Do you have any idea how big a turkey hen is when she is right in your face?

BIG

So far, we've no deer jump in front of us off the bank - yet.

Now, why did I go and say that?

Birthday Walk

Yesterday, we went walking by the river, where Husband and I were going three or four times a week until July when I worsened, then I got sick, then Mother had surgery, then - well - you get the picture.

Anyway, we went to celebrate Bonnie's first birthday. 

She had a great time, although at first she was a little anxious, since she'd never been anywhere like this before. 

She got to meet two new friends, a spaniel and a basset hound. They got along pretty well.

The sun was warm, the breeze was gentle, and the cows were mooing. (and grazing).

In other words, a good time was had by all.

Today:

Today, it's just cold.