Holmes County Ohio October trip

I have neglected posting this report of our trip to Holmes County. I think we got home, and jumped right into life as we know it and it just completely left my mind. We returned home on Thursday, and that following Wednesday we were in charge of 4 grandchildren for 10 days. They are mostly good most of the time. They are kids after all. Grandma and Grandpa on the other hand are mostly OLD ALL the time and that factors into how well the whole plan worked out. Everyone survived, there were no deaths or injuries, well, no major injuries. These are healthy, normal, active kids we are talking about.

OK, so our trip to Holmes county began on Friday morning, Oct 17. Our goal was to arrive at our cousins, meeting at their home in Sterling, then proceeding from there to another cousins in Sardis. We'd always talked about this Sardis trip but until now that's all it was, just talk. We were excited to be going to see these dear cousins that we don't see enough of. We paired up...women together, and men together, driving separate vehicles. A 3 hour gab fest was the result. A short stop at Leyman's hardware in Kidron was scheduled to begin our purchasing items we had on our list from folks back home. It didn't take long to get our business taken care of and we were off and running again. We arrived in Sardis before it got dark, and got a quick tour of the small town nestled in the hills of Ohio, right on the edge of the Ohio River, and right across from the West Virginia state line. Cousin Doris is a gal after my own heart. We met her at their Ranch resort, to meet her goats first, to look around and see the area we have heard so much about. Those goat kids brought back good memories of our days gone by in the goat barn.

Next day we were up early to travel the winding, hilly roads to a big property owned by a church member for their annual church fall festival. A day of food and activity was planned and happily enjoyed by church member, family and friends. New acquaintances were met, family members we'd never had the privilege to meet before were greeted face to face and we just had a very nice time all the way around. The day closed out up at the top of a hill, seated on folding chairs facing the eastern sky (at least I think it was east??? She says, the one directionally challenged from birth to this day) to sing hymns from grateful hearts for the bountiful provision given by our merciful and gracious God. There is nothing sweeter to the ear than a cappela singing, in 4 part harmony, in the open air arena. It was a day to remember.

Next morning before church we were served a gourmet meal no 5 star Bed and Breakfast could rival. It was delicious from the yogurt strawberry parfait to the fried mush, bacon, eggs, bagels with cheese spread and fruit. Every course beautifully laid out and tastefully presented. The time passed too quickly, our visiting cut short by our need to travel up to Holmes County and begin our visit there. Little happens on Sunday evening in Holmes County. And we were ready to rest and restore and prepare for a day of sight seeing and shopping on Monday.

Monday was the day we designated to get the bulk of our shopping for the lists of things requested from the folks back home. It didn't take long to check off our items and we were then free to wander and roam. Tuesday was the day we scheduled to show Amish twin sisters, Anna and Emma how to make soap. That batch of soap behaved exceptionally well for a demo...usually everything seems to go wrong and explaining what not to do or how to avoid the disasters become the focus. That wasn't the case with this demo though. The girls had read up and done their homework ahead of time. They were well prepared, took careful notes, asked good questions and I am not afraid for them to make soap the first time on their own. In fact, that has already happened and the report was that it tasted like soap, got hard like it was supposed to and all was well. I'm so proud of those girls. They are preparing to become a soapmaking business, with an offer already for a merchant to sell their product. It was a good time for them to learn. Older sister Betty had baked that day, fresh bread and Cream Sticks. She was such a good hostess, serving us delicious beef sandwiches, and for dessert those cream sticks. Oh my. I did have a taste. They were better than our local bakery's long johns, and that's saying something because Lev's has the best ever pastries! Betty gets a 10 for sure on her efforts. She sent home the recipe, and Tom bought from her Dad the special cutter he'd made...the reason she'd made the Cream Sticks to begin with was to test the design of the cutter. I'd say it's a good invention, it gets a 10 too. I think very soon we'll test that cutter out here too, and see how it works!

Wednesday and Thursday we spent visiting a few more folks we wanted to see, and met for the first time a gentleman who has had lyme disease since he was 8 years old. He's in his late 30's now. He has a good dr. in PA that has treated him and seems to have been doing a good job. Though it does seem as though drs are only able to take us so far, and then we are at the mercy of the "bugs". I know that's not really true. Jr and I have both found there are means to better health, not always generated by the medical community. Sometimes you just have to look and search till you find the next step to take. We'll keep in touch with Jr and Ada.

Our friend Alma is doing well, Alvin and Katie as well. Nothing too earthshaking going on in their lives, which is a goodly thing! Life in the slow lane isn't all bad. Thursday morning we had breakfast at Rebecca's ??? Tea Room I think it's called. I had Baked Oatmeal, topped with Vanilla Yogurt. And it's become my favorite way to eat oatmeal!

That was the extent of our trip this time. Nothing of outstanding significance. But it was a restful time and now time to get back in the grove of things.