Today is National Chocolate Milkshake Day
Today, Sept. 12, marks the start of a decline in the percentage of daily sunshine. Lunar perigee on Sept. 13 makes storms and frost more likely. Ragweed season finally comes to a close. (If that means a lessening of pollen, I don't think so. My nose still runs, usually when my hands are full, and, like a kid, I want to wipe it on my sleeve. I still have coughing spells that sound so bad that people tend to shy away for fear I am contagious. And sneezing fits. The allergies are still out there.)
Get the garden ready to plant next year's spinach and garlic as the moon turns new. Hunt the damp woods for puffball mushrooms. Cut firewood now at the dark of the moon. Begin your autumn bulb planting and transplanting of perennials in the garden when most of the black walnuts have fallen and wood nettle seeds are black and brittle. (Countryside)
Today also is National Chocolate Milkshake Day. The term milkshake first appeared in print in 1885, when the eggnog-like drink was made with whiskey. The invention of the electric blender in 1922 gave milkshakes their now-typical frothy texture. In Massachusetts, milkshakes are often called frappés. I've wondered what that was. In Rhode Island, they are cabinets. (Parade Magazine)
It must be getting on toward fall. Candy corn is in the stores.
"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is the theme of the Homemakers Fall Fest on Sept. 28 at Dorrisville Baptist Church in Harrisburg. Non-homemakers are invited to join us. Cost is $10, which includes morning snacks, drinks and a hot lunch. Reservations are due by Sept. 21. Make checks out to Multi-County Homemakers and send to Wanda Raley, 1126 S. Granger, Harrisburg, IL 62946. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by the program at 9 a.m. Topics for the day include Dinger Bats from Ridgway, SI Miners baseball, skin care, farm-to-table, baseball recitations and music by Don Faulkner. The day will end around 2 p.m.
Sorry that Rep. Brandon Phelps has decided to resign. He was a friend to the school and understood that Southern Illinois does not have enough votes to do things without the help of northern legislators. I wish him well.
I read the fall TV preview. I don't believe the must-sees will be worth more than one watching, and some not even that much. Most of the cliffhangers can continue to hang. It's going to be a long winter. Thank goodness for the library!
"Out of the west the wind comes over, over the yellow goldenrod, over the drying rattle pod, come heady with corn and apple smell now." (August Derleth)</group><group id="23DCD888-53F9