Come on, summer!

I sit here in front of my computer this evening feeling somewhat nostalgic. I am not sure why. I just had a wonderful supper of ham, green beans, and macaroni and cheese. The dishes are finished, and I hear the sounds of the Lawrence Welk Show coming from the living room. Mary usually likes to watch that show on a Saturday evening. Joe Feeney just finished singing "Sunrise, Sunset." It reminds me of when Mary and I saw Zero Mostel in "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Kennedy Center in Washington just a few months before he died. That was a memorable experience.

Last evening we spent a few wonderful hours having dinner with some old friends. We shared memories of the past, but mostly we talked about our illnesses. We are all in our seventies now. Nevertheless, it's always good to get together with old friends and to share conversation along with good food.

This morning there was a tag sale at our condominium. This is always an occasion when neighbors swap old treasures for a few bucks. I did buy an almost unused bread machine from my next door neighbor for $ 10.00. I always wanted one, but Mary always discouraged the purchase. They are rather expensive if you buy them new. Next week, I'll make a few loaves of fresh bread. The odor is worth the cost alone.

Tomorrow evening at 8:57 PM we will experience the summer solstice. Spring in Lancaster County, PA was especially wet this year. The strawberry crop came in early and is now over. Very soon the produce stands along the roads will be brimming with tomatoes, zuchinni, sweet corn, and all the other good summer fruits and vegetables. From the time I was a boy, I have always loved summer time.

As I glance back over this little essay, I notice that almost everything mentioned is related to eating. That's not good! Is nostalgia related to food? Now that's silly. Although when I think about it, most of my good memories have food in them. Oh well, that's better than remembering the bad things in life.

Well, next week the days start getting shorter. Soon the summer season of 2004 will be history and we will begin thinking autumn. This fall brings a very important event in the life of America, namely the election of a president and a new congress. It is my prayer that we bring people into office who will end this terrible madness that exists in Washington today. May God grant us a season of peace in the years to come.