I Like To Go Back

                                           I like to go back to the place I belong

                                           Those grassy hills where I loved to roam

                                           Where life is simple and the trees grow tall

                                           With love,faith and family, nothing is small

                                           Where the wind blows fresh and the air is clean

                                           The sky is more blue than I have ever seen

                                           The fields are bountiful as harvest time begins

                                           Plenty of eating when the snow falls again

                                           Kicking up my heels, old memories so dear

                                           Supper's on the table, still echoes so clear

                                           Playing outside all day, we had a creative touch

                                           Imagination was encouraged, we never had much

                                           I like to go back where families stayed together

                                           Endured struggles and trials through stormy weather

                                           When parents set an example to live by and grow

                                            Instilled in us dreams to carry onward as we go

                                           Where the Bible was read many a night and day

                                            At home and school we bowed our head to pray

                                           And God was in the middle of our everyday life

                                           We learned to lean through all struggles and strife

                                            It may not seem like much to this world today

                                            I will cherish it always until my dying day

                                            I like to go back to the place I belong

                                           Where faith, love and principles built a home

                                            Susie Swanson, 2013

Canning And Pickling

Hi Folks,

Thought I'd post a little update on the goings on around my neck of the woods. Canning and gardening season is in full swing. In spite of all the rain we've had, the gardens are thriving except for the stuff that grows low on the ground like my squash vines and cucumbers.. But I'm not complaining, the Lord has blessed us with plenty. I've been canning white half runner beans and putting up corn in the freezer. I'm getting some cabbage from my brother and his cousin when they come in for Kraut. They planted around 60 cabbage and if nothing happens they'll have plenty to sell and share. The signs are bad for Krauting anyway until the end of this month. My mama taught me the sings pretty well while growing up and I'm just glad I listened to her. When pickling or krauting the signs have to be just right or it will ruin in spite . The signs are good in the Head, Neck, Arms and Thighs. When they get down in the lower extremitities they are all bad signs except for the Thighs and they're not the best but I have put it up then.

 I chop my cabbage by hand as fine as I want it fine and pack it in jars, not to tight and add a teaspoon of Salt and a Teaspoon of Sugar  to each Quart and a half Teaspoon to a Pint of each. The sugar is for keeping it White. My mama was very particular about her Kraut being white. Then add some warm tap Water from the faucet and take a Butter or Steak knife and slide it down  the sides and in the middle of the can while pouring the water slowly from a cup until it fills to the top. Put the lids on and don't tighten them to tight. This gives it more chances to work off.

 Last year I made my Kraut and put it in a cool place underneath our old Building that we call The Old Mill House. It's where they used to grind corn before we moved here.It's not in operation anymore and not the Old Gristmill my grandpa and daddy run. It's long since gone and sit on the exact spot where my house is today. My brother and uncle built this one and used to run it on Saturdays for people to have fresh Cornmeal. We inherited it so to speak.

 The Kraut worked off really good and was the best I've ever made. Everyone else around here didn't have any luck with their Kraut and I shared mine.. So this year I've got to try and make plenty.. I love doing it and putting up Pickled Corn and Beans too. It's time consuming but so worth it. The pickled corn and beans have to be put in an old time Churn Jar or something familiar for 9 days to work off . This is after you boil your ears of corn and wilt your beans down in a pan. The beans doesn't have to be cooked , Be sure and put a cup of salt for every gallon of beans and corn.. and fill the jar up all the way to the top so the water will cover it all. Tie a white clean rag around the top or maybe even two, and I have seen my mama put a big flat rock on top or anything heavy like that to keep it all under the water. She never did carry Pickled Beans and Corn outside of the house, she just sit them in the corner somewhere to work off. They don't run down the jar like Kraut. I don't put Kraut in a churn jar but some people do. Mama always said it was to much trouble, go figure. lol. ( Of course when you can everything from soup to hay like she did I guess you skip corners sometimes). After 9 days is up take it out of the Churn and put it in a big pan on the stove and get it to boiling really good and put in jars and seal. 

I've never like Pickled Beans and Corn or care for Kraut that much. I like Raw Kraut out of the jar but not cooked, but my family sure does love it, especially on a cold, winter day. My mama used to say with anything you put up or can, it will beat a snowball anyday... She used to can so much stuff that she would go back to some of her earlier cans , especially Tomatoes or something of that nature and take the Rings off and leave the Flatties (which had already sealed by then) and use them on other cans.. I don't know if many people have heard of this but you can do it and it saves buying more. Of course, back then they did lots of ways to get by . 

I posted this because some people have been asking about how to do it and I was going to put it up when I got the time. Hope this will be helpful to a lot of people. I'll be back to posting Poems as soon as I get my head on straight..lol.  On top of all the Canning I've been trying to Layout my New Book. I'm hoping it will be done soon and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. This is the first one I've Self Published. The last one was done for me. I have someone helping me or I wouldn't know squat. It will be sent to the Printers soon, hopefully. Ya'll take care and don't work to hard.. Blessings, Susie

Those Who Seek The Highest

                                             The whole world is seeking one who understands

                                             A million prayers rise upward from the sod

                                             If they would only listen as they speak

                                             Out of the silence they would hear you, Dear God

                                             The sad who seek to find you through their tears

                                             The broken hearts crying out in agony and pain

                                             You've always been there through toil and strife

                                              Faith of a mustard seed is but a tiny grain

                                             Though mountains are high and valleys low

                                             There is splendor above and light over head

                                             You've heard each cry and saw each tear

                                              And every prayer that's been spoken or said

                                             The human heart you placed within the breast

                                              Set there to run untouched from birth to death

                                              Is where faith should dwell and laughter ring

                                              Every day and night as long as there is breath

                                             All the promises you made should stand above

                                             A world of despair and cries should not dismay

                                             You are the rock from which we should stand

                                             Those who seek the highest shall never lose their way

                                              Susie Swanson, 2013

I Sure Was Somethin

          

                                                             I sure was a looker

                                                             back in my day

                                                             I glimmered and shined

                                                             People took notice

                                                             when I came their way

                                                             I could run with the best

                                                             at any given time

                                                             smooth and fast

                                                             leaving headlights behind

                                                             I put the medal to the pedal

                                                             on down the line

                                                             I was sleek as could be

                                                             before rust settled in

                                                             sitting at the drive in

                                                             cruising through town

                                                             with the windows down

                                                             Yes Sir,

                                                             I sure was somethin

                                                             parked on lover's lane

                                                             on a moonlight night

                                                             Those shiny hubcaps

                                                             what a pretty sight

                                                             underneath those stars

                                                             with nothing but quiet

                                                             Time sure has changed

                                                             I've never seen so many

                                                             new model trucks and cars

                                                             For me, time stands still

                                                             in the middle of this field

                                                             Everyday I just sit here

                                                             watching em all pass by

                                                             The sun beatin down

                                                              rain pouring from the sky

                                                             each day dragging by

                                                             Every now and then

                                                             someone will take notice

                                                             pull off the road

                                                             stop by for a look

                                                             pat me on the hood and say

                                                             she sure was a looker

                                                             back in her day

                                                             Yes Sir,

                                                              I sure was a looker

                                                              before rust settled in

                                                              and newer models

                                                              became the trend

                                                              and I was traded in

                                                              Before time passed me by

                                                              before the dents and scrapes

                                                              sittin here wasting away

                                                              before rust settled in

                                                              Yes Sir,

                                                              I sure was somethin

                                                              back in my day

       

                                                              I sure was somethin

                                                              alright

                                                              Susie Swanson, 2013

Ok, I know everyone is saying what will she come up with next.. I do go from one extreme to another but I write what comes to mind or what I can find in a picture. This one just jumped out at me and ya'll know how I love to write about the past.. 

It's bean picking and canning season and I'm sorry if I haven't been to many of your posts lately but will try and get around soon. Busy time of year and like my mama used to say, we got to get er while we can.. Ya'll take care and don't work to hard... Love and Hugs, Susie

God Is Near

                                           Looking back along the years

                                           I can see the hand of God

                                           Leading me down every path

                                           that my feet have trod

                                           I can see the long, steep hills

                                           that I dreaded so to climb

                                           Now I know he went with me

                                           up them everytime

                                           And I think he walked with me

                                           when I thought I walked alone

                                           Through those far away shadows, dark

                                           valleys I have known

                                           And the times I could not walk

                                           he carried me on through

                                           The sorrows and heartaches

                                           he lessened them too

                                           Though I am only human

                                           he knows me very well

                                           Without him by my side

                                           I would be nothing but a shell

                                           So today why should I doubt

                                           and today why should I fear

                                           Sometimes I shall look and see

                                           even now, God is near

                                           Susie Swanson, 2013

                                           

Let Us Not Forget

                                                   Let us not forget the ancient wisdom

                                                   With which our ancestors walked their days

                                                   Let us carry on with great determination

                                                   With a grateful heart, to God we give the praise

                                                   Let us not forget the mountains they climbed

                                                   In the darkest valleys where they found light

                                                   Footprints are abundant down every path

                                                   All of their yesterdays can be found in plain sight

                                                   Let us not forget the sound of their voice

                                                   In the distance they are still calling us home

                                                   The place where many a prayer was heard

                                                   Shaping our tomorrows until we were grown

                                                   Let us not forget the love that was given

                                                   All under the same roof, each night at bed

                                                   The teachings of God's word, the Bible

                                                   Food for our body and soul, we were always fed

                                                   Let us not forget the many sacrifices made

                                                   Working from sun up until sun down

                                                   The love of family, there's no boundaries

                                                   How proud we must be of them, so profound

                                                   Let us not forget the place from which we came

                                                   May our hearts stay humble and proud

                                                   And listen to the wisdom of all the ages

                                                   Can you hear....... the echoes are calling so loud

                                                   Susie Swanson, 2013