Just Country Boys and Girls Gettin' Down on the Farm
In true farmer style, Andrew awoke with the sun at 6am and began a full, fun day of exploring his Great Grandparents' farm. After all, there were chores to be done that just couldn't wait...
First, the barn cats had to be fed, and with a new batch of kittens hungry for breakfast, we couldn't keep them waiting. April's Grandpa, Lloyd, showed us the ropes...
Next, off to the gardens (as in multiple gardens) to pick fresh zucchini, summer squash, a few tomatoes, and to pull Arthur the dog out of the strawberry patch.
To ward off any morning breath, Mark was also sure to try some of the homegrown spearmint... In true Andrew style he had to taste anything Dad was eating...
Flooded with questions, Grandpa Lloyd took the time to explain some of his farming secrets...
After a hard morning's work, the boys headed back up to the house to wash up and get ready for supper (lunch)...
Because farm work is never done, afternoon chores included a trip to the Carthage Senior Center, where we were recruited by Grandpa to help him deliver a “meals on wheels” type of program to local needy seniors. While waiting for the meals to be packed up, Mark was asked to play his first “gig” of the trip. Following a round of pure musical gibberish (the piano was last tuned around the turn of the nineteenth century) and a standing ovation, we got down to the business of helping others.
With Lloyd at the wheel and April managing two food coolers and a list from the backseat, we embarked through the streets of Carthage. Early in the endeavor we encountered a construction related road block that threatened timely delivery of the crucial rations. Mark (who foolishly wore flip flops for this pavement pounding door-to-door delivery route) announced selflessly that he would do whatever it took to make sure the mission was completed – even if it meant fashioning a pair of moccasins out of a roadside sign so that he could nimbly sprint around the blockade. Thankfully, Grandpa Lloyd said that wouldn't be necessary and suggested that we simply re-route in our automobile. With Grandpa's quick thinking, the delivery was only delayed by about 15 seconds. Mark conceded that he probably could not have made moccasins that quickly.
Back at the house, Mark took Andrew for a bicycle ride around the farm, and the gravel roads put the little man right to sleep. Not wanting to wake him, Mark put Andrew and the bike up against a tree and took some time to enjoy the great weather (and the sleeping baby).
As the sun set on our great day, we heading into town to visit historic Navoo, IL for a massive buffet dinner at the famous Hotel Navoo. After one too many trips to the food line, we waddled back to the farm and settled in for some evening entertainment by Mark on the piano. Eager to redeem himself after his out-of-tune-flop at the Senior Center, Mark brought everyone to their feet with his rendition of the blues classic “Kansas City.” His playing was spot on, his vocals were up for interpretation. Either way, there were no complaints from this audience. Rock on, Carthage, rock on...
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