Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
As we entered the house Betty was pulling a pitcher of tea
out of the ice box. “I thought we might need this on a warm, August afternoon.
Thankfully we were blessed with a slight cool down this week.”
“Harvest is starting soon so I know it won’t last for long.”
Jake said as he took a long drink of the tea.
“Little lady you are going to be thrown into the fire soon. I imagine
the ladies will be waging their tongues about how brave and crazy you are to
get married right before harvest.” Jake
paused for another drink. “I assume you grew up on a farm and know all about
harvest?”
Maggie cringed. What have I gotten myself into she thought?
“I did not grow up on a farm. When my mother married my father she became a
farmer’s wife. My paternal grandparents owned landed and my parents and I lived
there until my parents passed away. I was eight when they went home to the
Lord. I then lived with my mother’s parents and uncle. I did spend
summers at the farm until Granny and Pop passed on.” All eyes were on her as she spoke, especially
George. “I hope that I catch on fast enough that I won’t be an embarrassment to
George.”
“Sweet girl, all of the new brides have to learn a thing or
two, even those of us that grew up on a farm. I will take you right under my
wing and teach you everything you need to know. Yes ma’am Betty will take care
of you.”
“Ought oh, there is nothing more my Betty likes then a
project. Now let’s cut that cake!” Jake said with a wide grin.
As I cut the cake George handed out the plates. I cut a
small slice for myself and could barely touch it. I noticed George didn’t eat
much of his either. Thankfully Betty and Jake were here to carry on the conversation
with Pastor Dan. Betty has what my Granny referred to as the gift of gab.
Thinking of Granny made me smile.
“It is almost 4:30 so I should be getting back down the
lane. I have a few sermons to get ahead on. I like to work ahead so I can help
out with harvest. I might be a preacher, but I love the land as much as you
farmers. I also know you all have chores
to take care of “ Pastor Dan stood and stretched.
Maggie said “If you wait a minute I will wrap up a slice of cake for you
take home.” Betty smiled and nodded her head as Maggie began to slice the cake
for Pastor Dan.
“That will be mighty nice. Since the missus passed on I
don’t have as many treats as I use to. Now the ladies of the church take good
care of me, but some of the ladies make a sweet treat better then others. Now Betty, that is for your ears only!” Dan
said as he winked at Maggie.
“I brought over a roast for Maggie to slice for sandwiches
this evening. A bride shouldn’t have to stand over a stove on her wedding day.
If the George and Maggie don’t mind there is plenty to share with you.”
“I believe that is an excellent idea Betty!” Maggie said as
she placed a large chunk of cake on a plate.
Maggie and Betty were busy cutting hearty slices of roast
beef and making sandwiches. Maggie insisted that they go ahead and cut enough
for Betty and Jake to take home for a meal also.
Pastor Dan left with a basket of two roast beef sandwiches,
a jar of potato salad, pickled beets and of course the cake. He must have been
happy as they heard him whistle as he walked down the lane.
“Alright Betty, this old man needs to get home. Chores await
us and now that I've seen the dinner menu I am ready to get them done.” Jake let out his jolly laugh as he walked out
to the back porch with George.
Betty and I got busy setting the kitchen to right. She
packed her things into a basket while I cut some cake for her to take home
also. She started to do the cake dished. “No Betty, leave those. I will take care
of them with the supper dishes. You have done more then enough for me today. I
can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. “
“Sweet girl, I am happy to see our George married off. To a
sweet girl to boot! I have been watching you today and I like what I see. I am
serious about helping you with what you need to learn. Next week it will be quiet around here as
women are busy putting up the kitchen garden and the men are gearing up for
harvest. If things go as planned the following week harvest will begin at my
house. I would like you to come over with George and help me out. That way you
can see what it takes to feed the harvest crew and what the boys do.”
Maggie swallowed hard. “How many men come?”
“Now don’t you worry it is usually six including our two boys. Usually a couple of the wives come to help.
Not all of them though. I will be there to see you through this. You will be
fine.” Betty said as she walked out the door.
I stood at the window looking out as George, Betty and Jake
looked to be in deep conversation.
“George that is one fine girl you married today. Did you
notice how she was quick to offer cake to the pastor and jumped right in the
pack up a meal? That speaks volumes about the heart of a person. I can’t wait
to get know that sweet girl better.” Betty linked her arm through Jake’s and
they started off for home.
George had noticed all of that and more. He was also looking
forward to getting to know his wife.
As George was waving
good-bye I realized that the table cloth was still here. I stepped out the door
and yelled. “Wait! Betty you forgot your table cloth.”
As I walked out Betty
yelled back that it was her gift to me. “Your mother-in-law, George’s mom, made
that and gave it to me the last birthday she spent with me. I have been saving
it for George and you.”
“Oh Betty!” I said as
I rushed over to give her a hug.
“It was nothing now we must scoot. Jake likes to keep his
evening schedule.”
As Jake led Betty away he called over his shoulder to
George, “I bet you will be happy to not sleep on a lumpy couch tonight.” He
turned and I could hear his jolly laugh.
“I’ll be inside.” George stated.
“I am going to get a little air and then I will be in.” I hadn’t given much thought to the sleeping
arrangement. Oh boy!
When I started to step inside George was standing at the
table fingering the crochet border on the table cloth. I stepped to the table
and also touch it. “It is beautiful. I am honored to have something that your
mother made. I will cherish it.”
George weakly smiled. “I hope that I will cherish you as
much. I need to change and tend to the evening chores. Will you have the
sandwiches ready when I come in?”
The thought of being cherished by George made me feel funny
on the inside. “Yes George, I will have supper ready. “
As George walked out the door to the barn he stated “The
evening chores take about half an hour. Then I like to take a quick bath. “
I was putting the plate of sandwiches on the table when
George returned from his bath. “I love farming, but not necessarily smelling
like a cow all night.”
I laughed out loud at this comment which make George smile.
As we finished up our meal I noticed that George didn’t
touch the pickled beets. I didn’t either as they are not my favorite. Maybe
George was still full from the afternoon cake. As I ran the dish water George
brought the dishes over and set them on the counter. “Would you like for me to
dry?”
“That isn’t necessary.”
“I don’t mind.” George picked up the towel and dried as I
washed the dishes. When the dishes were complete he retired to the living room
while I finished up in the kitchen.
I put the dried dishes away, wiped down the table and
counters before I pulled out the broom. As I was doing this, George pretended
to read the paper. I could tell he wasn’t reading as I caught him sneaking a
peek at me when he thought I wasn’t looking. It made me smile and feel all
nervous on the inside.
“George, do you like evening coffee?”
“Only when the weather is cool, I don’t think I will have
any tonight.”
Maggie searched for a few things for breakfast and then also
retired to the living room.
The chair was comfortable and Maggie was happy for the
ottoman. It felt good to put her feet up. She would need to find something to
do in the evenings as they sat. Tonight she was tired and glad for the rest.
“Maggie, do you mind if I read from aloud from my Bible.”
“I would like that.”
George began reading from Psalm 100. As he finished “Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is
good; His mercy is everlasting. And His truth endures to all generations.”
George sat in silence for a moment. “I feel like I have plenty to be thankful
for today. “
Maggie smiled, feeling the same
way.
After a long, comfortable silence,
George cleared his throat. “My parents” George said “use to pray together each
evening. They had a great marriage. I believe it was because their faith was
strong. Would you mind if we made it our habit to also pray together each
evening?”
“I would be delighted! “ George
came over to sit on the ottoman. He took Maggie’s hands and together they
prayed. George prayed for their life together, for them to build a strong
marriage and friendship, for the Lord to be center of their lives. . He prayed
for the farm, neighbors and for the community that was now Maggie’s. She
couldn’t be happier that this was the man the Lord has chosen to be her
husband.
George went back to his paper and
Maggie sat deep in thought. She must have dozed off as George woke her.
“Maggie. I think you should go to bed.”
“I am tired. I think that is a
great idea. Good night, George.”
Maggie washed up and changed. Once
she was in bed she was wide awake and uncertain. She laid there for what seemed
like forever before she heard George enter. He undressed and then climbed into
bed. Maggie held her breath. George was lying on his back and Maggie had her
back to him. She knew he could probably feel her tremble.
“Maggie?”
“Yes.”
“I know that we don’t know each
other well and uh, uh, I want you to know that I think we need time to get to
know each other. “
Maggie could feel herself relax.
“I would never make you do anything
that you aren’t comfortable doing. I meant what I said in my prayer about
wanting a strong marriage and friendship. I, uh, just wanted you to know. Good
night, Maggie.”
“Good night, George. I hope you
sleep well.”
I am working on updating my homekeeping schedule. I'm trying to add a little more deep cleaning each day.
Tuesday is kitchen day and I washed the items that are kept on the counters and windows. My hope to cut down on the amount of deep cleaning in the Spring and Fall.
I find that keeping home is ever changing and some things work better then others. As the seasons of life change so must the homekeeping rhythm.
My evening view as I enjoy some time to relax and read.
One of the things I enjoy this time of year is the ability to iron outdoors. If you have never tried it I encourage you to do so. Super relaxing!
Some fresh spinach from the garden.
Some of it was used to make a smoothie. It was a recipe using spinach, coconut milk, almond butter, honey and blueberries. It was from a well known doctor television show and was suppose to be a detox for acid reflux. I haven't said much, if anything, but I have a major reflux issue.
Anyway, a direct quote from Megan about the smoothie.... "If I have to drink this my tongue will fall off!" Bwahaha!! I happen to agree and needless to say it won't be made again.
