My Sweet Friend
There is something about my BFF, Megan Comstock, that I simply must write about. Ok, a little background is appropriate here: We both enjoy finding goodies for each other on occasions like birthdays, Christmas, etc. I am not very good at this. I look and look and everything I find ends up seeming dumb; unless I hit on something spectacular, then I feel like a saint. On the other hand, Megan is the perfect person for something that is not only cute, but something that completely fits my sentiment flavor of the day. Allow me to illustrate:
Now is she good, or what? I would’ve probably bought a candle. Moral: Don’t shop with Hannah, shop with Megan.
I Needa My Pita
I know that was lame, but I couldn’t resist.
Yesterday I tried making pita bread for the first time. I love Greek food (why? I honestly don’t know) and all during our trip, I was growing quite impatient to go home & try a recipe. Like most of the stuff I make, it turned out looking weird, but the good part about that is: pita bread is supposed to look weird. Score! Fill it with tomatoes, lettuce, & vinaigrette, (for lack of anything more Greek-ish) and you have the perfect wannabe gyro! (yee-row) Now I need to try spanakopita. (spinach /w feta in phyllo dough) I also want to make biscotti. I’m sorry, I’m not sure why this entry is nothing but culinary ramblings…. maybe because Williams-Sonoma was very inspiring. Imagine, $300 French enameled cookware.
A Short Man is Hard to Find
If you haven’t read Flannery O’Connor, just forget trying to fully understand my title.
In this world/country/state/town, there are plenty of guys who are lacking in the height department, but the vast majority of them still have me by a few inches. To find a fellow who is shorter than I am is a task. Guess what? I found one.
Say hello to my great-grandfather, Ernest Vestal. (we all call him Pop) I am actually a wee bit taller than he is! Of course, he is 88…
I’m Back!!!
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-Jig
If you don’t like Mother Goose, then I don’t know what you’re doing here, ’cause there’s a lot of that sort of stuff. I don’t have much time, but I’m just writing to say that this is my last post ’til Monday. Sweet pictures coming soon! (but don’t get too excited, it’s going to be a few days)
I’m Still on the Planet
Don’t ask which one.
Well, on Sat. we got together /w my mom’s cousins, and the next two nights as well. It really was neat to see all those different people and think “wow, we’re all family!” I’ll post pix when I get home. On the last night, it probably took 30 minutes to get out of there. 34th rule of Hannah’s Universe: Brubakers hug. And hug and hug and… you get the idea. They really are sweet people. Tuesday was Uncle Will’s funeral, and my first viewing. That was kind of weird, but it drives home the fact that he isn’t there any more. I hated the hot, dry weather out there, but the town is kind of cute. We stopped at Schat’s Bakkery (yes, that’s how it’s spelled) and got some goodies there. Yesterday, on our way to Rancho, we passed the turn-off to Bakersfield. You have to wonder about the sanity of folks who build towns out in the desert. We went through several towns that looked like little wind-blown junk piles. Ugg. I’m not sure if it was pyrite, beer bottles, or my reeling mind, but something was glittering on the ground. Odd. We passed by the borax mines too. I had the headphones on, listening to my Moravian/Shaker choral CD. Man, peaceful music like that works better than a pill when you’re the sweatiest, most bored person on earth. Last night I got to see my great-grandpa (Ernie) Pop Vestal. He is the sweetest lil’ ol’ thing that you’ve ever met. Well, none of you have met him, but I have. He’s 88, and took us on a long walk around the park, along with his Chihuahua, Blacki. I think his favorite phrase is “wall… how ’bout dat?” It’s been fun seeing relatives that I don’t normally get to spend time with, but I am going to be VERY ready for my home. And if any of you catch me bad-mouthing where I live ever again, feel free to slap me. I heard (and saw pictures) of the snow that fell at home. That is quite odd. I wish I hadn’t of missed it, but that made me think of a Keith Green song, (doesn’t everything?) so I’ll close with that.
Summer Snow
by Keith Green
Unexpectedly, you came back to see,
If I was waiting, like I promised long before.
Your shadow filled the room, the music changed it’s tune,
When I saw you, you were standing at the door.
Like summer snow, You were an unexpected sight.
A blazing sun, you were shining in the night,
When I really should have known, that you’d be coming home.
I waited patiently, but I found it hard to see,
If you were coming, why was there such a long delay.
At times I thought you lied, or else you would have tried,
To let me know that you were coming home today.
Like summer snow, it falls around me in the cold.
I can hear the echoes, of the warnings I was told.
That I should know, that you’d be coming home.
Like summer snow, You were an unexpected sight.
A blazing sun, you were shining in the night,
When I really should have known, that you’d be coming home.
Unexpectedly, you came back to see…
Fare Thee Well
My Uncle Wilmer died on Sunday, so my family is now embroiled in plans for our departure to California. We will leave Friday morning, so I may not be able to write between now and then. We will be gone for about 11 days. ;-( First place to visit will be Bishop, for the funeral, then to Rancho to stay with relatives. So, sadly, I must bid farewell for my long, hot, busy vacation.
Costume Party
Here are some pictures from the party on Saturday.
I would like to thank my parents for letting me have a great party, Megan Comstock, for her immense help, Kathleen, Mitchell, and Nora Underhill for their help in prep work, Eric Underhill, for the lovely antelope, Roman and Ridge Mallery for bringing rocks and logs, and Caitlin Carstensen for helping organize our hooligan band. I also wish to thank all the wonderful guests: Caitlin, Laurel, and Jillian Carstensen, Mitchell Underhill, Nathan, Bethany, and Daniel Dupea, Rachel Hawkins, John Mark Brubaker, Raijoice, Roshua, River, and Ridge Mallery, Angie Murry, and Britney Emerson. A special thank you to Carol Thompkins, for providing live bagpipe music for the tug-of-war and dancing.
