LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — While having a lovely chat with the Rev. John Burkhart at Wednesday’s Rotary meeting, I had cause to recall some of the columns I used to type up for my father’s newspaper when I was young. The writers were members of small communities in Pulaski County where nothing especially significant ever happened — but their collection of insignificant, enjoyable stories made life a little bit more interesting.

They went a little like this: Maybelle came to visit Virginia this afternoon, and they sat on the porch and drank tea until the sun went down. And we heard just this week that the Jones family had settled in to their new home in West Virginia, and we just want to say how much we sure do miss them being around.

The last week in the life of this editor has been full of these kinds of stories. So, in the spirit of these wonderful Kentucky writers, I share my insignificant life experiences with you. Enjoy.

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Though my routine last Monday morning was the same as usual, it started with a nervous cramp in my stomach that just wouldn’t go away. The first day of school. Correction: The first first day of school.

You would have thought it was me who was getting ready to walk into that preschool classroom. My 4-year-old hopped out of bed, put on his new outfit and suffered through the picture-taking that ensued before we got in the car. He was handling all this rather well. I was shaking inside.

I guess most moms feel like this when their kids go off to the big elementary school for the first time. It is so tough to see your little one grow up right before your eyes, knowing time is just going to go faster and faster.

I’m proud to report he had an incredibly successful week, though all I can typically get out of him in the evening is what he ate for lunch and that he “played.” He walked into Ms. Sheena’s room at Mt. Vernon Elementary Monday cautiously optimistic — excited I think about a new experience, but a little nervous at the same time. Don’t we all feel that way sometimes? He didn’t cry; he didn’t back away. He walked into that classroom like he knew exactly what he was doing.

I, of course, cried. If preschool is this bad for me, I don’t even want to think what kindergarten is going to be like.

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We spent Wednesday evening with Laurel County couple Ford and Amanda Waterstrat. The Waterstrats own a farm here, where they grow organic vegetables and hope to raise goats (you might remember The Sentinel’s story about them receiving USDA organic certification). We figured out not long after the story ran that my husband and Amanda know each other — Amanda worked for him as an intern several years ago in Columbia.

We were excited to have dinner with them — Amanda made homemade veggie pizzas and a peach buckle that was to die for — and chat about their gardening ideas and experiences.

And what a lovely farm they have. The Waterstrats sell their wares at the Laurel County Farmers Market and I highly recommend paying them a visit. In addition to buying wholesome food, you’ll meet two wonderful people who are passionate about what they do.

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Speaking of veggies, Thursday I was again up to my elbows in tomatoes and again going to school for the first time. If you read about my escapades with salsa and freezer tomato sauce, then you’re surely questioning why I’d dare try to make something else.

But, with the wonderful guidance of Laurel County Extension Office Program Coordinator Tina Bledsoe, staff writer Tara Kaprowy and I dove head first into canning class with 75 pounds of tomatoes in tow. We marched into The Kitchen at the Laurel County Farmers Market with smiles on our faces and songs in our hearts. We left a little quiet from the shock. Preserving food takes an overwhelming amount of work and patience.

And, we’ve basically decided Tina Bledsoe is invincible. She can can with the best of ‘em, knowing what to do in any situation (even when the canner malfunctions and makes a tremendously loud popping noise that sends everyone out of the kitchen). If you haven’t met this awesome woman or taken one of her classes, you are really missing out. The Laurel County Extension Service has a wealth of knowledge to offer residents and we should all be so thankful it’s here.

Tara and I will be at the bread baking class later this year, once again with smiles on our faces and songs in our hearts. We can’t wait.

Oh yeah, and don’t forget to check out page 2 today. We’ve given you the step-by-step for making raspberry jam, based on what we learned in Tina’s class. I can’t wait to eat mine!

 

Managing Editor Julie Nelson Harris can be reached by e-mail at editor@sentinel-echo.com.