A Celebratory Biscuit Day

Happy Anniversary to my Substack and a Few Random Notes

Well.

My.

It has been almost one YEAR since I started this Substack.

I just hit 200 total subscribers (both paid and unpaid). Now that is certainly small potatoes in the Substack world, but then again, I love potatoes. I thank each and every one of you. Processing my life this way helps me so much and I think many of you can relate as each of us struggle with our own brand of ups and downs.

Oftentimes, when I see a friend subscribe I think, “oh, I have to send them a note to say thank you.” Mmmm, yeah…good intentions. A dear old friend subscribed the other day and I was so touched to read the comment she left. Then I looked at all the comments that people have left when they subscribed and I was just amazed so I thought I would share them here. I can’t begin to thank everyone that has subscribed. It really does mean so much to me.

Thank you to all of you, those of you I know in person and those of you I know just from your comments or subscriptions. Thank you with all my heart.

I had a good week and hell, I think that’s worthy of celebration! Tuesday I had my first full physical therapy session—which totally kicked my ass, but in a good way. Then when I got home I found out I had to go back and see the surgeon for a follow up. Ugh. Two visits to the spine center in one day. I did it though and the surgeon seemed pleased with my progress. The cherry on top was that I ran into Jim Alred (speaking of readers I love) in the waiting room and was so happy to see him and get to chat for a few minutes.

I was somewhat dumbstruck to realize it’s only been about 11 weeks or so since my surgery. It seems eons ago. It just boggles my mind that it was so recent. It’s good to put it in perspective. I’ve been feeling relatively strong and steady of late. Although the day it snowed freaked me out a bit. I LOVE snow but slick ground with a walker is a little scary. I’m going to become the little old lady who won’t go out if the weather turns!

I had my last regular CSA pick up on Thursday. Yes, it was a VERY cold two hours but I enjoyed it just the same. The volunteers that make it run are wonderful. I will miss them until next year.

Our volunteers, and our fearless leader, Traci Barkley, in blue.

It’s hard to believe that the first CSA pickup of the year in June was the day I was admitted to the hospital with sepsis. 2024 has been quite the ride and Sola Gratia has been really kind and supportive throughout. Interested in a CSA for next year?

This is what this year’s last fall share looked like: winter squash, beets, salad turnips, spicy salad mix and leeks. No carrots as when you’re dealing with a working farm with many programs to make vegetables available to as many as possible throughout the community, things are always subject to change. That’s part of what you get with a CSA, a real, local, lovingly grown harvest every week.

I put together a sheet with the choices and some recipe suggestions as well.

I’ll admit the week tired me out, I skipped out on a plan to see dear friends on Friday evening but it was the right choice as I was in bed not long after 7 that night.

When peering out the front window the other day, I noticed my hydrangea (a Limelight hydrangea or the like) had a pink blossom amongst all the browned blooms. Decidedly pink and this is not a hydrangea that ever is pink. I figure it’s my sister Judi saying hello. She loved pink.

Although most of the color in my yard has slipped away, my smoke bush or tree or whatever it is is hanging on to some brilliance.

And on Tuesday, as I walked to the car I mourned my poor bedraggled morning glories. Then as we backed out I saw this on the other side! My beautiful hard working glories.

Looking out my window I see mostly shades of browns. That’s why it’s just about time to put the lights on my fence. Today I might send Leo and Ernie out to get a tree and lights.

Since I sadly sleep alone these days Esther sometimes joins me and uses her own pillow. She is very good company. Everyone should have an eggplant like Esther.

Last night’s dinner: pan fried gnocchi with chorizo and kale.

This week’s biscuit with a bit of leftover chorizo. A new friend stopped by to help Ernie, Eric, from Toledo, Spain. Reportedly he knows Stig. He made a great biscuit. Thanks, Eric.

Thanks again, all.

Onward.

Love,
Cynthia