It surely has felt like summer for the month of July here, but I know one person who loves the hot weather and that’s “Miss Claudine” Wood up on the mountain. She loves it.

We went up on the mountain for the annual church picnic in July. It was at the Rocky Knob Park. It was so cool and everyone loved it and dreaded to leave. It was a good day with good food and nice fellowship. I’ve always loved going to Rocky Knob Park over the years.

I could hardly wait to get to the Patrick County Music Association on Saturday to hear Lynn Foddrell play some blues music. It was great and the audience loved it. The Foddrell family has played all over the U.S. and in some foreign countries. Lynn played his father’s guitar and had some great backup music from some local musicians. It was a fun night.

When I got to the soup kitchen on Thursday, they had made macaroni salad and had a basket of fresh veggies to give everyone, plus those good cornbread muffins.

Thanks to Dorothy Vipperman for the surprise she gave me. I will enjoy it. I’m so sorry she lost her dog. She had it for many years.

It was so nice to get a note and a photo from Brenda Howell Prunty of Connecticut but formerly of Meadows of Dan. She reads The Enterprise all the time and I appreciate the photo of the Class of 1966. Brenda is the sister of LaNita Howell Harris.

While Brenda was here, she attended church service with LaNita at the Concord Primitive Baptist Church. She said it was like “going back in time.” They had a baptizing July 16. Lots of good memories for me there also when I was in my early teens.

The Men’s Ministry of Patrick Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church cooked up one fine meal of fried chicken with all the trimmings. Thank you. On top of that we had a wonderful speaker, Jamie Redd. It was a good Wednesday evening. Thank you Lord.

Thanks to Pastor Marion for going to Wood’s Produce and getting bags of pintos, potatoes, and onions. Also, thanks to the kind gentleman that brings us a pickup truck full of good bread. God is blessing.

Think about this: Don’t be afraid of what lies ahead. God will lead his children home safely.

Helpful hint: Handy wipes: 2 cups boiling water, 3 Tbsp. thin shampoo, 1 Tbsp. hand lotion. Cut one roll of Bounty brand towels in half. Remove center tube. Place this half-roll on end in a plastic container with a lid. Pour mixture over towels. Cover tightly. This is ready to use in one hour. Pull towel paper from center of roll. If too dry, add mere water. The Amish do this.

POOR MAN’S COOKIES

From Amish cookbook Plain and Healthy, given to me by Mary Ann.

2 c rolled oats

1 c packed brown sugar

1/2 c white sugar

1 c flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 c hot water

1/2 c shortening, melted and cooled

1 tsp. vanilla

In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Combine soda and hot water. Stir in oat mixture along with melted shortening and vanilla. Roll into walnut-shaped balls. Place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake 10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool two minutes before removing from pans. Yields 3 1/2 dozen.

Food for thought:

Never lose a chance of saying a kind word to someone. Might be the only one they get that day.