Susan Says . . .

We've had some lovely sunny days this week, combined with cooler temperatures that carry a hint of fall. The berries on the vine at the corner of the drive are a pleasing purple hue and sister Nancy has promised me some cornstalks for fall decorating. The grandkids and great-nephew Austin are back in school and all are enjoying the return to the classroom. Even little Matthew is enrolled in pre-K and relishes being a student along with his big brother and sister.

I sliced some tomatoes and cucumbers and added to our leftover black-eyed peas, greens and corn muffins and we enjoyed another tasty meal Monday evening. On Tuesday I worked a few hours at the office and came home to dust and vacuum the living room, hall and Mama's bedroom. A sales man came at midafternoon to demonstrate his products and when he left I visited a friend but found no one at home. I returned home and warmed chicken and dumplings for supper.

I watched "The Price is Right" Wednesday morning and joined neighbors for lunch at the Senior Center, stopping by to deliver a book to a friend on the way. I did some shopping at the dollar store in the afternoon and mowed the front and north side yard before Nancy dropped by to bring some squash from her garden. That evening I made a tuna pasta salad and returned to the Senior Center to attend the farewell reception for Robbie and Judy Roberson who are moving to North Carolina.

I went to the dentist's office to get my teeth cleaned and polished Thursday morning and visited aunts Leda and Leta on the way home. The mailman brought early birthday cards from Jim's mother and my aunt and uncle in Kansas City. That afternoonI cracked a dishpanful of pecans from last fall's crop before driving to the Heritage Baptist Church for a memorial service. When I returned home I wrote a letter to my pen pal in Washington.

Jim finished mowing the yard on Friday while I worked at the office a few hours. Just before I went home I was pleasantly surprised when the florist delivered a birthday bouquet from a friend. When I arrived at the house I found a bag of apples and a card from her waiting by the front door. Since it was my birthday Jim cooked a pot of goulash for supper, my favorite of the dishes he prepares.

We went to the farmers' market Saturday morning and purchased tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, mild and hot peppers, then stopped by the Christian Church to pick up an Angel Food order. After breakfast we drove to Maysville where Jim took measurements to determine the materials needed for two jobs. Niece Laura drove in after we returned to town and we went to a yard sale in the neighborhood, coming home with a big bag and a box full of bargains. I broiled ribeye steaks, cooked green beans with okra and new potatoes for supper.

We made a trip to Southwest City Sunday morning and when we returned Jim did some weedeating while I prepared a late breakfast of biscuits and gravy, eggs and sausage. I called for phone visits with sister Nancy and brother Richard before clipping the coupons from the Sunday paper. I swept the sidewalk and patio, then sat on the patio while Jim washed and polished his pickup. Joe, Heather and the grandkids arrived just as he was finishing the job. Jim and all the grandkids enjoyed hitting golf balls and playing in the back yard.