It was beautiful fall weather for the health fair and the Apple Dumpling Festival in Patrick County. I got to see a lot of people and some friends from the mountain. It was nice to have some time with Iva Jane Hubbard.

I was saddened to hear of the death of Lillian Belcher of Woolwine. She was my Sunday school teacher at Mountain View Methodist Church on the mountain. Later, she moved to Woolwine when she married Sam Belcher.

Harry Wood of Tennessee traveled to Meadows of Dan to visit his mother, Claudine Wood. He always brings her yummy things that they canned from their garden. She says soon they will enjoy some strawberry and blueberry preserves and jams on a biscuit.

Folks on the mountain are happy to be getting a dollar store right in the heart of Meadows of Dan.

It surely was nice to hear from my stepson, Michael Reynolds. Thanks for the birthday money and I enjoyed your letter.

Boy! I’m a happy camper for winter reading. Belinda Barnes gave me some Amish books, six to be exact. Thank you and best of all, she got them from Amish girls. By the way, Belinda is recovering nicely from a bad accident.

It was so good to hear Gary Burd preach again and I mean preach. He rides his motorcycle over the world preaching the gospel. His wife is with him a lot of the time.

It surely was good to see Alan back at church after a bad motorcycle accident. You can’t keep a good man down.

Put Steve and Connie Greer on your prayer list. Both are having health problems. Connie told me some interesting news that Andy Griffith used to come to her grandfather’s house and they played music.

Thanks to Hoss and Vernell Trent for that beautiful song at church. I loved it.

It was nice to eat with the Martin clan at Elizabeth’s Pizza on Sunday. Thanks for inviting me to join you.

We have a special prayer request for Jamie Goad who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Her husband, Kenny, is a match. Jamie is a teacher at Snow Creek Elementary School. Beverly Woody will be substituting while Jamie is out. Beverly requests prayers also.

Just a thought—whether we are walking to the grocery store or to give an important speech, Father help us to remember you.

Morning scramble: Turn scrambled eggs into an egg burrito—use a whole wheat burrito, eggs, black beans, salsa, taco cheese, cilantro and a few dashes of hot sauce to top it off.

HELLO DOLLY APPLE BARS

4 cups diced apples (Granny Smith are the best)

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup oil

3 eggs

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup chopped nuts (your choice)

1/2 cup raisins

1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together and spread into a 13×9-inch pie pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes.  This recipe makes 18 bars.

Food for thought

Amish proverb: One reason a dog is such a lovable creature is that his tail wags instead of his tongue.