Storms and Strawberry Pie

It’s been a rocky start to the severe storm season. Grant Dade, KFVS weatherman, reported “43 county tornado warnings and 204 county severe thunderstorm warnings in our viewing area yesterday (May 8). We can all be thankful the low level shear was weaker than advertised or instead of sporadic storm damage today it would have been catastrophic.” 

For the record, KFVS claims to cover 50 counties in four states, including all of SE MO, Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky and Northwestern Tennessee.

So, what’s with the pie?

 

Last year, I dilly-dallied around and missed strawberry season at Beggs’s Berry World at the Benton I-55 exit. I came within about a week of missing it again this year because of weather.

When I was checking out with my plastic gallon bucket of fresh strawberries, the cashier asked if I’d like one of the strawberry pies they had left. My arm didn’t have to be twisted.

I’m Johnny Strawberry Seed

Shortly after I had mastered the art of making cheesecakes, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.

I was lamenting on my status to Museum Director Carla Jordan when she gave me a good piece of advice: “You don’t have to eat the whole cheesecake. Cut off an allowable slice, then distribute the rest to deserving folks so you won’t be tempted.”

With that in mind, I made the rounds of Cape friends and relatives, muttering, “Get thee behind me, Satan,” as I dropped off the goodies.

FYI. the unsliced berries in the pie pan was just to fill up the space.

In case you go looking, Beggs has moved to the opposite side of the I-55 exit. I went to the old location,  proving that my GPS Lady in the Sky was wiser than I was.

Mario and Angela’s Italian Eatery

Mario and Angela’s Italian Eatery 03-07-2024

I’ve chased these fine folks from Jackson to Cape, and now, back to Jackson at 215 West Main Street.

Angela greeted me like a long-lost friend when I showed up to pick up my food. (Wife Lila insisted that I stop calling her “Crazy Angela” when I first started eating at the place on a regular basis.)

Here’s an account of one of my first visits to the original Jackson location.

Only open 10-3

Mario and Angela’s Italian Eatery 03-07-2024

I wish they stayed open longer than 10-3, but they do a booming takeout business. They really aren’t set up for on-site dining.

Angela keeps busy taking phone orders while her dad is ready to cook them.

Quantity is great; price reasonable

Mario and Angela’s Italian Eatery 03-07-2024

The calzone I bought on my first visit a couple of weeks ago was big enough for two meals and a snack.

I ordered the lobster, shrimp and scallop in Alfredo sauce, topped with shrimp today. It isn’t particularly pretty because the sauce covers all the goodies.

Trust me, though, the Alfredo sauce was as good as any you’ll find anywhere. There was enough for two meals, but it tasted so good that I polished it off in one pass.

Check Out History Center Trees

Cape County History Center Xmas trees 11-14-2023

Don’t just stand outside looking through the window of the Cape County History Center at 102 South High Street, across from the old courthouse in Jackson. Open the door and see what Executive Director Carla Jordan ranks as one of the best of nearly a decade of Christmas tree collections.

When you step inside, pick up a printed guide to the History Center Nativity Walk 2023. I’m using the guide to describe the exhibits you’ll see. The beauty is in the detail, so I’ll concentrate on the stuff you’ll miss if you don’t look closely.

#1 Food Pantry Tree

01 Food Pantry Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

The doves on this tree were created by our team.  You may select a dove to take home with you for $5 that goes to the Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry.

#2 Spider Tree

02 Spider Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

This story has numerous versions in Germany and Ukraine.  Our tree tells of the Christ-Child’s Christmas Eve visit to a family’s home to leave blessings.  The family thoroughly cleaned their home to prepare for the visit.  The house spiders wished to see Baby Jesus, too, and scampered up the tree to get a good view, leaving their webs behind them on the tree.  Baby Jesus was delighted to see the spiders but did not want the family to find their cleaning efforts for naught.  Jesus touched the webs, turning them to silver and gold.

#3 I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Cape County History Center Xmas trees 11-14-2023

This tree’s story is based on the 1863 poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  He was distraught by the loss of his wife in a tragic fire, and his son joined the Union Army during the Civil War and was severely injured. 

Upon hearing the Christmas bells ringing on Christmas morning during this dark period, Longfellow found comfort in the bells, and wrote the famous poem, “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep…peace on Earth, and good will to men.” The poem was first published in Our Young Folks, a juvenile magazine in 1865, and is now a beloved Christmas carol.

#4 Chrismon – Symbols of Christ Tree

04 Chrismon Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

A group of participants met each month for 11 months at our Research Annex with instructor, JoNell Cougill, and they created the ornaments for this tree.  Some of the symbols are ancient and some are modern.  The Chrismon tradition was renewed and preserved by Frances Spencer, and the women of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia in 1957.

#5 Happy Birthday Jesus

05 Happy Birthday Jesus Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

This tree was designed, created, and installed by the PEO-DJ organization.

#6.  Topiary Trees with Nativity & Ornaments from the Holy Land

06 Holy Land Ornaments Cape County History Center Xmas trees 11-14-2023

This collection is a gift from the Kenneth White Collection. 

#7 Follow the Star

07 Follow the Star Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

The star tree has been a part of our exhibit for eight years.  It is designed and created by the PEO-LA organization.

#8 Mary Tree

08 Mary Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

The Mary tree is a little lesson in art history.  Early Egyptians loved bold blue and pulverized lapis lazuli stones to obtain the pigment for embellishments and art works.  For millennia, blue has been a costly hue—at times more prized than gold.  Marian blue is a color creating Mary’s elevation in the interpretation of historic art since the 5th century.  During the first few centuries after Christ, Mary was often depicted in a red gown or wrapped in a pink mantle.  Slowly, blue replaced the artist’s preferred color for Mary.

#9 Donkey Tree

09 Donkey Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

Nearly always depicted as the transport animal for Mary to travel to Bethlehem.  The donkey has an important role multiple times in Christian art and literature.  We chose to place this dear donkey tree close to Mary.

#10 Joseph Tree

10 Joseph Tree Cape County History Center Xmas trees 11-14-2023

You will see the symbols of Joseph’s carpentry trade.  This tree has an authentic Jewish prayer shawl, a yarmulke, and a menorah.

#11 The Wise Men Tree

12 Wise Men Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

This story tree tells of the Gentile visitors to the Nativity.  This tree represents that the Nativity story is for all people.  They followed the star.

#12 Multitude of Angels

12 Multitude of Angels Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

One of several “Multitude of Angels” Trees

#13 Sallie Ann Criddle Exhibit

13 Sallie Ann Criddle Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

The beautiful doll in this exhibit came home to Jackson after many years traveling the country with descendants of Sallie Ann Criddle.  Can you find these tiny treasures in Sallie’s exhibit or in her next-door playroom?  A tiny mouse, a tiny Santa, a Christmas postcard, a tiny letter, a tiny book…there are numerous treasures in this display.  Take a close look…

#14 Lace Angel Tree

14 Lace Angel Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

These angels were created by the late Juanita M. Criddle Niswonger.  They fly above a Lori Mitchell Nativity.

#15 Miniature Nativity Scene Flat Case

15 Miniature Nativity Flat Case Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

This exhibit case features Nativity scenes from all over the world and other small collections.

#16. Another “Multitude of Angels” Trees

16 Multiple of Angels Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

#17. Rosewood Square Grand Piano Nativity

17 Rosewood Square Piano Nativity Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

The large ceramic Nativity was created by Vicki Crites Lane, and she created both of the quilts hanging in this exhibit.  There is an incredible wreath quilt and one entitled, “Starry, Starry, Night.”

#18 White Feather Tree

18 White Feather Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

Another pretty angel tree.

#19 Child-Like Angels Tree

19 Child-like Angels Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

This tree is adorned with angels from the Bradford Collection.

#20. Shepherd, Sheep, with Messenger Angels

20 Shepherd Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

This fun tree exhibits shepherds with their flock and the angels who foretold the story. 

#21. Drummer Boy Tree

21 Drummer Boy Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

This tree has many styles of Drummers throughout history.  It was designed and installed by JoNell Cougill.

#22. Oh Holy Night Tree

22 Oh Holy Night Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

This tree was designed to display a fifty-year collection of Nativity ornaments.  The nearby exhibit was designed by Wendy Hayes and Robyn Hosp, who created the background painting.

#23. Oxen Tree

23 Oxen Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

Another tree designed by JoNell Cougill, representing the oxen.  Oxen are present in nearly every Nativity.  The oxen are a symbol of the 12 Tribes of Israel, depicted on the tree. The oxen also represent strength and power.  The yoke artifact was a gift from the Bob and Yvonne Keathley Collection.

#24. Straw Tree

24 Straw Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

This tree represents the manger straw in the Nativity.

#25. Poinsettia Tree

25 Poinsettia Tree Cape County History Center 2023 Xmas trees 11-15-2023

This red and white tree has poinsettia blooms and cardinals.  The poinsettia blooms wild from Mexico to southern Guatemala on Pacific-facing slopes.  They were cultivated by the Aztecs for use in traditional medicine and for dye.  They are now popular during the Christmas season in the United States where approximately 70 million are sold in a six-week period.

In 16th century Mexico, a legend states that a little girl named, Pepita or Maria, was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus and was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar.  Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became poinsettias.  The 17th century Franciscan monks included poinsettias in their Christmas celebrations.  The star-shaped leaves are symbols of the Star of Bethlehem. Poinsettias were officially named and brought to the United States by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first appointed U.S. ambassador to Mexico.

The cardinals on the tree are symbols for many of us on this team of “Messengers of Loved ones Passed.”

 

Predictable Unpredictable Weather

Window condensation 08-22-2023

One thing about Missouri’s weather is it predictably unpredictable.

In the last month or so, we’ve gone from weeks of drought, torrential rains that flooded communities like Marble Hill (rain was falling at the rate of better than four inches an hour at my house, and about a week of the heat index above three digits, not counting the decimal point.

The Night of the Big Rain didn’t bring promised (dreaded) winds and hail, but the lightning was almost continuous.

That brought to mind Mark Twain’s comment, “Thunder is good, thunder is impressive, but it is lightning that does the work.”

Not only hot, it’s humid

You can see from the condensation on my basement window when I started up the stairs to go to bed that there’s a lot of moisture in the air

When the heat index was 106 (116 if you believe the local TV station), I elected to replace a dusk to dawn porch light that had decided to stay on all the time.

The whole process took about an hour, at which point you could ring sweat out of my cap, shirt, suspenders and underwear. I had other projects on my list, but I may put them on hold until the one week in November before temps drop below zero,