Life is a Garden Party: CRISP

CRISP

Wood smoke a wisp

on a cool day crisp.

Off to the orchard to pick

apples night-visiting deer missed.

Walked by the pond where fish

are deep in the mud in bliss.

Leaves underfoot crisp.

Black walnut kicked.

High in the trees apples list.

An apple picker picks.

Into a bucket when picked.

Apples tasted juicy crisp.

Here's one under the tall grass missed.

Bucket soon full with apples picked.

Some nipped by greedy, squawking birds but still crisp.

This orchard long ago planted by loved ones now missed.

What will taste delish?

Applesauce, apple butter, yes?

Apple pie or apple crisp?

All good to the last lick.

Light a candlewick

then for a midnight snack, fill a dish.

Don't make yourself sick.

Blow out the candle, as you make a wish.

* * * * *

If every man, woman, child

could pick apples on a day mild

enjoying the wonderful outdoors

given to us by God the Creator

their stress levels would then be lessened;

if everyone could learn that lesson.

When you look into someone's face

you'll see worry that can't be erased.

It's etched into their brow,

brought on by stress – and how!

Worry causes stress, you'll find

and prohibits peace of mind.

If there are more worry lines than laugh lines

brought on over the years through one's lifetime,

then you need to be reminded

what God the Father says, so kind.

It's: “Do not worry about tomorrow,”

for you'll find worry leads to sorrow.

When you worry, joy is unattainable,

for worry renders you quite unable

to see the good things that abound

then you’ll wear a great big frown.

So forget about your worries and put on a smile.

Your smile will become a habit after awhile.

I will forget my complaint;

I will change my expression and smile.

Job 9:27

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

I Timothy 6:6

The story was inspired during the last week of my grandmother's life when I walked past the pond and the black walnut tree, to the orchard beside the barn to pick apples to take in to show her. She did hold one and smell it.

Gram was known for making the best apple pies. I don’t know which apples she preferred to use to make pies, but I do know my grandparents had a Northern Spy tree. They produce large apples. (Those apples were my dad’s favorite.)

P.S. I’ve learned to use two types of apples for the best tasting apple pies. Here’s my recipe for flaky and nutty-tasting pie crust:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

2/3 cup shortening

1 tablespoon olive oil

enough milk to form dough

Bake at 425.

Blend ingredients using bread dough attachment until dough forms a ball.

Roll out on lightly floured surface.

White flour may be substituted but not as tasty. Try with ½ teaspoon cinnamon.

As an aside, try switching from all-purpose flour to unbleached flour for baking.