Indiana Roadsides

by
Jean Hughes
February 5, 1996

Tonight the setting sun looks like a harvest moon. It is as orange as a pumpkin. High on the wind, a red-tailed hawk circles. His tail blooms softly in the muted light. He is helping to keep nature's balance in my fields.

I sometimes feel that every creature and plant knows its job except me. But every small piece of information I glean brings me closer to the wild, closer to home, closer to understanding my part in the natural scheme.

* * * A few weeks ago, I was told that brown creepers always spiral up a tree counter-clockwise. But, today, I have been watching a brown creeper for almost an hour, and it is traveling around the trees in both directions. Creepers always fly to the bottom of a tree and travel up, then fly to the bottom of the next tree and begin to climb again. It must be instinctive to start at the bottom.

* * * There are always small dramas going on in my dooryard. Six pigeons and one screech owl have been living in the barn. A few days ago, a white pigeon appeared on the top of the barn. Merry named it Snow White.

I told the children that would make the other birds the seven dwarfs and that my little friend, Owlie, must be the one nicknamed Sleepy, because he never seems to sleep and that would make anybody sleepy.

For dinner tonight I have put a casserole in the oven. I serve this dish with applesauce.

Reuben Casserole

In a buttered, 2 qt. casserole, layer in order given: 2 cups 
rye or white croutons, 12 oz. can of corned beef, 16 oz. can of 
sauerkraut, 8 oz. sliced Swiss cheese and 2 cups more of croutons.
Beat together: 3 eggs, 2 cups milk and 1 can cream of celery soup. 
Pour over croutons.
Bake at 325o for 45 minutes, or until set in the center. Serves 6 to 8.

Some days shine a little brighter than others, some people too. Between spectacular sunrises and the twilight glow, a day's worth of life happens to everybody. It is not what happens but how we react that determines our happiness or unhappiness.

I know I am not the only one who has days when the car frame breaks and the children cover themselves completely with vaseline, even their hair. I am not the only one who has opened the door to find a child streaked with paint, face and all, who says, "I was painting a picture and got some on me," and then gives himself away by asking, "Do you think I look like an Indian?"

Perhaps I am the only one who has given artificial respiration and mouth to mouth resuscitation to a chameleon, but each life has its unique and trying moments. At such times, I hug a dog and listen to the singing of the birds. It helps!

* * * This afternoon, the children and I are down by the little creek. I see fresh mole hills everywhere. We stand in a patch of wild onions and each munch to our heart's content on this sweet, hot delicacy.

I wonder if the February thaw that has come our way reaches south and fools some of the birds into thinking spring is here? Are robins getting dizzy from flying in circles, swinging up and down the continent, as the cold weather comes and goes?

The warmth has also touched the flowers. There is a slight blush on the rose canes, and I have found new leaves of hepatica, isopyrum and bittercress. Wait Spring! Wait! Wait! I still need snow and barren trees for a while yet.

* * * Every night, after supper, my dogs and I take a walk. When I come out the door, they jump up, letting their natural joy show. We walk the daylight away, and so it is that I have come to know the evenings and the evenings' twilights.

Twilight's Moment

There is a moment in the dusk when nature gathers all
life in and fades it to a silhouette.
From earth and lingering light, the day's initiation into night.

Jean's book of ramblings and recipes "A Country Mile of Winter" and her book of poetry "The Earth's My Home" are available for $4.95 each plus $1.30 for postage and handling. Ten of Jean's favorite recipes will be included free with each book ordered. Order from...

Country Mile Publications
616 E. Monroe St.
Delphi, Indiana 46923

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