Cookie Day

October 27th, 2021 I didn't intend to keep busy in the kitchen this morning, - not when I woke up. I had envisioned a day in the easy chair and the new-to-me book I am reading. However Burns had it right when he remarked on the plans of men going aft agle, and I ended up with a pound of butter, the rest of the sugar I had been hoarding, and anything else you might put into cookies (like nuts and raisins, etc...) to make them disappear faster. Old habits die hard!! Will I still be making cookies when I turn one hundred???????? I am quite at home with the old china mixing bowl, - not the same one I have been using for the last 75 years, but either a cousin, or an offspring, as it bears the same production motto - made in Medicine Hat! (that's in southern Alberta for those of you who are not familiar with the source of mixing bowls in Canada....) Before I tackled the cookies I planned to make for whoever might raid the cookie jar, I answered the appealing eyes of Bruce the Dog, looking up at me, and I made him happy when I made doggie biccies first!!!!! The recipe laid for a long time where it was easy to see in the kitchen, by the stove, but now I am able to line up the ingredients from memory, and I swear Bruce knows them by heart, too, and looks with anticipation at the mixing bowl, the flour, the eggs. the peanut butter and the can of pumpkin. Lucky dog, getting home made biscuits - I have always been suspicious of the ones you buy in the store, thinking that what goes into them might be swept up on the floor - I am sure this is not so, but the idea of fresh biccies has settled in my head and I don't suppose I am about to give it up at this stage of the game!!! This afternoon I plan to make a cup of hot chocolate and treat myself to whatever came out of the oven! And I'm going to read and rest my knees! I am re-reading Wallace Stegner (The Angle of Repose) and in my pile is a book I must return to the son from whom I filched it!! It is volume five of the Randy Papers - "Me Too" (by Donald Jack. Over the years I have been entertained by his previous stories, and I am anxious to devour this one, too, before I return it to Sid, who probably wonders where it has wandered to.....) Also in the pile is Greenery Street by Denis Macrail, and I treasure it as I believe he has not written anything since. I could be wrong about this and must do some research. The other book which appeals to me for a quick sit-down-and-read story is "The Best of Brevity" (twenty groundbreasking years of flash nonfiction). The many short, short, short stories are inspiring. And then there is Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman. I quote - A Smart little book that one can happily welcome into the family and allow to start growing old........ The idea of "flash nonfiction" or "flash fiction" really appeals to me, and I wish I wasn't so ancient and would maybe try to "flash" myself!!!! Well, I am off with my pile of books to make myself comfortable in the easy chair......there are many wonderful pluses to growing old! PS - note when I published this that whoever is in charge of following my wishes doesn't believe in paragraphs, - oh well, - it is readable without being fancy and well ordered, I guess......

October 26th, 2021 Quick, quick quick, - we are coming to the end of October and I have been so lackadaisacal about leaving a little

October note to mark the passing of the days..... It has been a lovely month, and I have had a wonderful trip up the mountain, full of memories and beautiful Similkameen spots. Thanks to Vince, who made a fine companion and a most willing driver....

Now to enjoy life, sunshine and the muted fall colours in the lower Similkameen, here at home and in the back garden and the meadow between me and the forested creek....