By Gloria Yoder
My recent letters have been full of events and outings more than I expected for this summer. That’s all right, but today I want to slow down and describe what felt like a simple, ordinary day. Of course, “normal” can be hard to define around here, so I’ll just share the day as it happened.
It was one of those hot, humid mornings when the air feels heavy even before breakfast. I stepped outside early to plant a row of green beans, hoping for a small fall harvest. When I returned to the kitchen after tucking the seeds into the soil, most of the children were still asleep — a rare, quiet moment. I weighed my options: finish tidying the house that had been neglected the night before when Joshua had a fever, or mop up the sticky watermelon juice on the kitchen floor. I chose the floor. It wasn’t perfect, but it was noticeably cleaner, and I set a fan on it knowing the humidity would keep it damp for a while. We use air conditioning during the sunniest part of the day when our solar system is producing, but at night we usually rely on fans and the cool of the basement for better sleeping temperatures.
Breakfast was a refreshing mix of strawberry smoothies, homemade cookies I keep frozen, and cereal a friend had brought by. Everyone ate their fill — a cool start made the heat easier to bear. If you enjoy smoothies or shakes, I’ll share that recipe another time; it doubles as a quick ice cream when you want something richer.
After the morning chores were underway, I sat at the kitchen table with my sewing machine. It felt good to mend a pair of pants for my second-youngest son — he’ll need them for school in the fall. School will be here before we know it, though I can’t say I’m completely ready. I treasure these slow summer mornings with the children and am grateful for the extra time together.
By mid-morning I sent Austin to fetch the new horse. There’s a longer story about how she came to live with us, one that I hope to tell soon, but today we simply prepared to go into town. I told the children we would stop by the store, pick up milk at my brother Javin’s, and drop off an anniversary gift for my parents. They were celebrating forty years — a milestone worth honoring — and the kids helped hitch the horse to the wagon so we could head out.
The store was cool and comfortable, and we bumped into Grandpa there. Since Daniel’s parents moved from Ohio, it’s a treat to see Grandpa around the shop. I never imagined him running a store, but it’s become part of his daily rhythm. Back on the road, one of the boys asked, “Mom, did you get eggs?” I had not, and he wanted them to bait a live trap for a family of skunks that had taken to raiding our barn and garage. We turned back to the store to buy eggs, moving slowly so the new horse wouldn’t overheat.
Next we stopped at my parents’ place. We tied the horse and tried out their wicker furniture under a shade tree. In true motherly fashion, my mom declared she would bring out rice, chicken with green beans, and “a handful of forks.” We cheered — homemade meals and family time make the best memories. We gathered around her cooking, filled our plates, and discussed planting chestnut trees on their property while she handed out cold glasses of orange juice. Little comforts like that make a hot day feel special.
We picked up milk at Javin’s and admired the progress on the pond they’re digging, then headed home. The children fed and put away the horse with eager hands. I’ll return soon to share more about this small miracle of a companion animal who has joined our household.
A few days later we had a rather stinky encounter with part of the skunk family. On a Saturday evening I rounded the barn and found three half-grown skunks trapped in Austin’s live trap. It seemed they, too, traveled as a family. The odor was overwhelming. After quick showers, we covered the cage with an old blanket and, with caution, carried it out to the pasture for release while the boys watched from a safe distance. When we came back, my legs were still shaking from the effort, and the kids greeted us with, “Pew, you stink!” I thanked heaven for hot water and soap.
So, what does a normal day look like here? It’s a mix of garden work, kitchen fixes, family errands, a new horse to care for, a bit of sewing for school clothes, and the occasional wildlife surprise. Ordinary in its own way, and full of things I’m grateful for.
Homemade Ice Cream
- 2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
- ¼ cup water
- ¾ cup cane sugar, or another sweetener of your choice
- 2 eggs, beaten (optional)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups milk
Stir the gelatin into the water and dissolve by bringing it briefly to a boil, stirring constantly. Combine with the remaining ingredients and chill. If you don’t have an ice cream freezer, freeze the cream in trays, blend with the other ingredients, and adjust milk or frozen cream to reach your preferred consistency.
Note: Any flavorings may be added — strawberry is a family favorite. Tonight I can smell peppermint in the kitchen; Julia may be making mint chip, which is one of mine.