Indiana Roadsides

Indiana Roadsides

by
Jean Hughes

Whatever happened to those long summer afternoons, to those crazy, hazy lazy days of summer? The crazy and hazy I have plenty of, but if anybody has an extra, long, lazy summer afternoon, send it out. I haven't had one for many a year.

The garden needs weeding, the apples need saucing, the beans need picking and, five times a day, the kids need lemonading. Although daylight arrives at 5:00 a.m. and lasts until 9:00 p.m., I could use a few more hours of light every day.

But I do still manage to take walks. They are essential to my health and happiness.

* * * This morning, I walk at the edge of a meadow where an old horse trough holds water. It is full of tadpoles that dip and dive, and half-done frogs with tadpole tails. Darting about, using their tiny frog legs, these little fellows are swift. They catch their front legs onto floating grass stems when they need a rest.

Nestled in the grass are clumps of mushrooms that look like pearls. Some are as big as golf balls. Butterflies and bees bend the white clovers as they sip nectar. Small birds make the Queen Anne's lace swing up and down as they ride the flowers. Along the woods' edges, the leaves of all the trees are bedraggled. Little creatures have been gobbling holes in them to eke out their living.

No matter which path I choose, I am always happy when I can spend a few minutes in the woods. There is always some beautiful sight to set my soul to singing.

Today, the lavender bergamot blooms by my creek. Big-flowered beggar tick blossoms hang along the stream's edge. The water plop-plops over the rocks. The dogs stepping in the water make the same sound. Colorful iridescent dragonflies play above the ripples. The music of the stream becomes a skater's waltz.

It is humid here. The growth is dense. Only where the water cuts a path can the sun shine in. I am as dripping wet as though I were in a downpour of rain. Every slight breeze is like a soothing balm.

As I stroll back up the hill, I walk through wild sweet williams and delicate yellow loosestrife blooms -- loose strife, a lovely idea!

Sugar Creek

Fresh strawberry time has passed, but peaches will soon be abundant. With shortcake is one of our favorite ways to enjoy both of these fruits.

Buttermilk Shortcake

Sift together: 1 cup flour, 1 1/2 t. baking powder,
1/2 t. baking soda, 1/4 t. cream of tartar,
1/4 t. salt and 1/4 cup sugar.
Cut in: 1/4 cup butter.
Add: 1/3 cup buttermilk and stir to make a slightly sticky dough.
Spread in a 9 inch buttered cake pan.
Bake at 450 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.
Cut warm shortcake into pie-shaped wedges and place wedges
in serving bowls. Split and spread with butter.
Spoon fresh fruit over shortcake.
Serve with cream, whipped cream or ice cream.
Serves 4 to 6.

For me, each new day begins at evening's twilight. Muted light, stars, moonlight and sleep give my day a good start. I like beginning with dreamy light and ending with sunshine. So I do. We can indulge our small desires, if we please.

Now, quiet wind stirs the leaves. A trio of thrushes sings in echoes across the field. Whenever I think life is as near to perfection as it can be, nature always throws in an extra: a beautiful sunset, a pink twilight, a furry little creature, a hawk swooping to me or a summer rain that leaves the earth shouting, "Green! Green!"

Tonight, baby rabbits dart in and out of the thickets. They have been out on the road playing statue. Bats swoop overhead.

One of our family's favorite sayings came from a children's story in which a bat said about a baby mouse, "Poor kid, no wings!" All of life depends upon perspective.

* * * Native Americans called July "Big Summer" because during this month the earth overflows with beauty and abundance. Listen! When it is hot and humid, you can hear the cornstalks grow!

Jean's weekly column "Indiana Roadsides" and back issues can be read at the following URL: http://www.otisnet.com/roadsides.

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