Treats, No Tricks

The weathermen (weather women, weather people, weather persons...it's so awkward trying to be PC) got the rain right, but their timing was way off.  They'd said it was to start in the early morning yesterday, taper off for the Trick-Or-Treaters, and come back late at night.  Oh well, it's an art, not a science, and I think Nature likes a giggle now and then.

The temperature was definitely down and the cloud cover was heavy enough while tending to the goats that I left the gate open to the covered playpen for the girls so they could shelter from the rain when it came and closed the big door to the hen house to keep them a bit warmer.  Cam and Debbie K. were coming for dinner, so my day was spent doing housework and cooking.  The wood stove took the chill off while I started a big pot of ham hocks and lima beans.  The rain finally came about 3, and the critters were happy to be put to bed early by 4:30.  By the time the ladies, including Honey, arrived, the beans were cooked, the cornbread was baked, and the pie was in the oven timed to come out for dessert.

Camille had donated apples from her tree, variety unknown, but they made a wonderful pie, tart-sweet, and didn't turn to mush.  While rolling out the dough, I tried to guestimate how many pies I've made in my lifetime; too many to count.  The Kids' dad was a police officer and many were the times I'd have an apple pie ready to come out of the oven when he and his buddies would get off the 3-11 shift.  The Kids have always preferred pie over cake (e.g., the Great Pie Day in February), as do I.

Conversation at the table came to a halt as we tucked into comfort food and listened to rain beetles tapping at the windows.  None of us dressed in costume, but we definitely were treated last night.  Stuffed to the gills, the ladies went off into the rainy night.  I put another log on the fire, Celeste came out of  hiding to warm my lap, Bessie Anne and Ralph settled in front of the stove, and we all called it a good day.