houby hunting

[Guest guest]

Oh Debs,

Your post is bringing back some memories. I grew up walking through the

woods with my dad hunting mushrooms. We would go all the time and my mother

whould hate it when we would come home. She hated to clean them, especially

the ones called sheepheads. You have to soak them in salt water and they are

very tedious to clean. They have a texture kind of like a cauliflower. I

always admired my dad in this respect, because he always knew which ones were

safe and which ones to stay away from. He knows a lot about the great

outdoors and any time I wonder about something or see a strange looking

animal or plant, I know that he can usually give me an answer as to what it

is and what it does. I just wish he had more patience so he could take Wyatt

out and show him some of the things that he showed me as a child. Maybe in a

couple of years when Wyatt is a little older and understands more. Anyway,

thanks for bringing back those great memories. By the way, you are always

welcome to come north for these celebrations. We always have something going

on around here.

Love and Hugs

Stacey in PA

[Guest guest]

I myself, don't like the big mushrooms, but hey any reason for a party,

right??????

That is what I miss most living in Florida. In Chicago, everytime you turned

around, there was some kind of festival or another. But Florida is so

transient, that one year you have a festival, next year, nothing, nowhere to

be found.

Once I can get these peg legs fixed on me, don't be surprised if I come up

for one of those festivals! See you gotta be careful who you invite.

Because you know that Lucy doesn't travel without Ethel and her friends!!!!!!

I am so glad that we are becoming quite a little family here. I love you

all so much and are by far the very best medicine God could have ever

prescribed for me.

I am glad to hear that there sounds to be like there is hope for me in my

12-step straw program. I will look to you and Heidi for inspiration if I

feel myself falling off the wagon!

I will take my laptop with me or have one of the girls keep you all updated

on what I am up to. I am scared to death, but at least the tears seem to

have stopped some. My Grandma always said " better out than in " .

OK, got a few more e-mails to respond to and I am looking at my mushroom

charm that I wear around my neck and think of you and now that you are close.

Hugs and love to you and Wyatt!

Gentle, tender, festival filled angel hugs,

Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

Hi Debs,

You're right, any reason for a party. My mom and I are going to a cooking

show tomorrow night with some friends/family. We went to one a couple of

years ago and it was really neat. Before the show actually starts, there is

a kind of fair, with booths and demonstrations. There must be at least 20

different booths and each one is giving something away. When you walk in,

they give you a shopping bag to carry, and by the end of the evening, it is

full of freebies. There are also drawings and free samples. Last time, I

won a bag of groceries. Cool.

We have plans for the first week of October also. One of our local fire

dep'ts is having an Octoberfest. I saw some of the firemen at the Oak Fest

on Saturday and we got a personal invitation. They are even going to have a

float competition. It should be a lot of fun.

Then on Oct 19, I am hosting a Longaberger basket party at my house. I am

already wondering what I will serve and how to decorate. I saw in the paper

a 50% coupon to 's craft store for this week, so I am going to check

out some fall decorations.

I love festivals and check out the newspaper every week to find them. I

would love to show you around when your leg is better. You are welcome in my

home anytime.

I can only wonder about how scared you are about your knee. I am scared for

you. Please keep your faith and try to pull through. Keep that mushroom

necklace on and know that I am sending powerful, healing hugs your way. And

don't worry about the tears. You have earned the right to shed as many as

you want. And if anyone comments, tell them I said so. We'll have you on

the conga line before you know it.

Love and Hugs

Stacey in PA