BURST OF COLOR

“Isn’t it beautiful out?” I said to my husband Steven as he and I were driving down the road. The reds, oranges and yellow colors of the leaves were even more intense against the crystal blue cloudless sky. “I don’t think I’ve seen a prettier fall in a long time!”

“Yeah, it’s pretty.” Steven agreed with little enthusiasm in his voice.

I looked over at him. “You don’t seem very thrilled.” I said. “What’s wrong?”

“In order to get this beautiful fall you have to have a cool, wet spring and summer.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Okay. Maybe it was a little wet but look…” I pointed out my window. “Ta-da!”

“I wasn’t saying ta-da when I was fighting root rot and our garden wasn’t giving us many tomatoes this summer.” He grumbled.

“True.” I nodded my head. “We did have a freezer full of sauce the year before. In fact, we had so much that it almost got us through the whole winter.”

“That sure didn’t happen this year.” He reminded me.

“Yeah.” I sighed. “I think I only got a half dozen containers of sauce this year. The way we go through it that’s not even going to be enough for two months.”

“Exactly.”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I can still make a good sauce with canned tomatoes.” I was trying to make him feel better when we were about to pass a tree that was so orange it almost didn’t look real. I was just about ready to point it out to him when he continued.

“I also wasn’t saying ta-da when we only got a handful of potatoes, either.”

“But the few we got were delicious!” I tried to be upbeat.

“You weren’t the one fighting root rot and fungus all summer long.”

“Okay, you’re right.” I finally agreed. “It was a terrible year for our garden.”

“On the other hand, we did get a lot of green peppers.” He reminded me. “So that was good.”

“I’ve already got them sauteed with onions and in the freezer ready for whatever we want to put them in!” I added.

He looked over at me. “Did I tell you I picked another basket full yesterday?”

“Really?” I looked confused. “I didn’t see them on the counter. Where’d you put them?”

Steven thought for a moment. “Either I left them on the table in the garden or I might have left them on the back porch.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll check when we get home.”

I looked over at him and smiled. “See? The garden wasn’t a complete bust this year. So can we get back to enjoying this beautiful fall weather and these gorgeous trees?”

“Sure.” He said as we continued down the highway.

Several minutes later… “You know a few rainstorms and all these…”

“STOP!” I cried looking over at him. “Are you kidding me?”

Steven started to laugh. “You’re so easy to tease.”

“How have we stayed married for so long?” I was shaking my head.

“Because I make you laugh.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. “That’s why.”

THAT’S A GOOD BOX

Our doorbell rang and Steven went to answer it. “Thank you!” I heard him call as he came back inside holding a package.

“Who’s it for?” I asked.

“Me.” He said as he put the box on the counter top and reached in the drawer to get a knife and slit open the top.

“That’s a good size box.” I remarked as I came over to see what he’d purchased.

“I guess.” He took out a spool of wire.

“What’s that for?” I watched him inspect it before putting it back in the box and closing the lid.

“It’s for a client.” He picked up the box and went over to the dining room table.

“Are you going to keep that box?”

Steven shrugged his shoulders. “I’m keeping it long enough to bring it over to my client’s house tomorrow. Why?”

“Well, when you give it to them can you bring the box back?” I asked as I went over to inspect the box making sure there weren’t any tears or ding’s in the cardboard.

“Why do you want this box?” He looked confused.

“Not just that box but all different size boxes.” I said. “I never know what size I’ll need when it comes time to wrap all the Christmas presents.”

“Christmas!” Steven shook his head and laughed. “It’s still October! Why are we talking about Christmas already?”

“I think about Christmas year round!” I explained. “But it’s around this time of year that I start thinking about wrapping and that means it’s time to start collecting boxes.”

“Well, I’m not sure I’ll be bringing this one back.” Steven said as he started to laugh. “I can’t bring it to my client’s house and then ask them if I can keep the box.”

“Okay, maybe not this one then but just remember from now until Christmas I’m going to need to see any of the boxes brought into the house before you start breaking them down for recycling.”

“Hey,” Our son Alex said as he came into the room. “What are you two up to?” He asked as he opened the cabinet and took out a box of crackers.

“We’re discussing boxes.” I said.

Alex laughed as he reached in the cracker box and pulled out a cracker. “That sounds like an interesting discussion.” He took a bite.

“Mom wants us to save all the boxes that come into the house from now until Christmas.” Steven said as he pushed the box with the wire in it further down the dining room table.

“Why?” Alex asked as he leaned against the counter and reached in for another cracker.

“Because I’ll need them to wrap all the Christmas presents in.” I explained.

“So you want us to save all the boxes from now until Christmas?” Alex asked.

“Exactly.”

Alex took the empty waxed paper liner from the cracker box went over to the trash can and threw it away and handed me the empty cracker box. “Here you go.” He said.

“I didn’t mean old food boxes.” I said with a laugh as I took the box and started to break it down for the recycling bin. “I’m not wrapping anyone’s Christmas present in an old cracker box.”

“Hey,” Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I was just trying to help.” He went back to the cabinet and took out a new box of crackers and held it up. “I was thinking that in about a week or so I’d have another one ready for you.”

“You know there’s a good chance you’ll be getting a present wrapped in a cracker box now.” I said with a laugh.

“I’d be okay with that.” He said as he popped another cracker in his mouth.

CHARLIE BROWN PUMPKINS

“What’s wrong with all the pumpkins on the front steps?” My husband Steven asked as he walked in the front door.

“What do you mean, ‘What’s wrong with them’?” I asked.

“They look like they’re melting.” He laughed.

“They’re a little misshapen.” I agreed. “But that’s what makes them so beautiful.” I smiled as I walked into the kitchen to start dinner.

“Misshapen is a good word for them.” He called as he hung his coat in the front closet then came into the kitchen. “Didn’t they have any good ones?”

“See? That’s exactly what everyone at the grocery store was thinking as they were digging through the pumpkin bin.” I pulled out a pot and started filling it with water. “Everyone was looking for the perfectly round, unblemished one.” I put the pot on the stove and turned on the burner. “But not me! I like rooting for the underdog.”

“In pumpkins?” Steven said with a laugh as he got a glass out and went to the sink to get some water.

“Exactly!” I said as I went to the refrigerator and pulled out the sauce I’d made from our garden tomatoes. “Everything deserves to be loved.”

“Are we still talking about pumpkins?” Steven leaned against the counter taking a sip from his glass as I poured the sauce into a pot.

“Yes, we’re still talking about pumpkins.” I went back to the refrigerator to pull out the fixings for a salad. “Those pumpkins worked just as hard as the perfect pumpkins to grow into the best they could be when they were out in the field.” I put the lettuce, carrots and celery along with a red pepper on the counter and grabbed a cutting board from the shelf. “They deserve a home where they can be displayed and feel appreciated this season.”

“So we’re going to be the house with the ‘Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree’ pumpkins?”

“Absolutely.” I began cutting up the lettuce. “I think they’re beautiful just the way they are.”

Our son Alex came into the kitchen.

“Did you go to the grocery store with Mom today?” Steven asked him.

“Yeah. I was there.” Alex opened up the refrigerator and looked inside. “I needed to pick up a few things.”

“So you helped pick out those pumpkins?” He asked.

Alex looked over at me as I was slowly shaking my head no.

“What’s going on with you two?” Steven asked.

“Mom didn’t tell you?” Alex closed the refrigerator door.

“Tell me what?”

“Those were the last three pumpkins on the shelf.” Alex looked over at me and laughed. “She said she didn’t feel like stopping at another store to find better ones so she took those.”

Steven looked over at me shaking his head. “That seems more like it.” He said with a laugh as he put his glass on the counter. “You almost had me believing you were rooting for the underdog of pumpkins.”

I gave Alex a stern look. “You know what they say about snitches?” I reminded him.

“That they get ugly pumpkins on their front steps?” Alex laughed.

I shrugged my shoulders and nodded my head. “That’s true, too!”

WEB OF STEEL

My son Alex and I were taking a walk through the woods in single file on a narrow path with me in the lead.

“STOP! STOP!” I screamed my arms pinwheeling around my head.

“What’s wrong?” Alex asked taking a step back and looking around to see what had me so upset.

“Spider web!” I was trying to take the sticky threads off my sweatshirt. “I’m covered in a spider web!”

“Did you see a spider on the web when you walked through it?” Alex asked his eyes wide as he looked at me.

I froze. “If I saw the web I wouldn’t have walked through it.” I began to shudder. “Oh, my gosh. Do I have a spider on me?” I started shaking the front of my sweatshirt hoping to get rid of any potential spiders.

Alex looked in my hair. “I don’t see anything.”

I brushed the web off my hands. “Now I feel like one is crawling on me!”

“I’m telling you I don’t see anything.” Alex tried to reassure me.

Once I felt like the web was off of my sweatshirt I looked back at Alex. “I hate this time of year.”

Alex laughed. “Are you kidding me. A minute ago you were talking about how much you love the fall.”

“Sure. I love when the leaves are turning colors and when the air feels crisp.” I was still wiping parts of the web off my face. “But this!” I found more of the sticky mess in my hair. “I just can’t.”

“You know a spiders web is stronger than steel?”

I stopped and looked at him.

“I mean for its weight and what it can hold.” He explained.

“No. I didn’t know that.” I’m sure from the sound of my voice he could tell I wasn’t impressed with that fact.

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I thought everyone knew that.”

“Oh, I believe it now!” I laughed as I found more to wipe off of me.

“Are you ready to finish our walk?” Alex asked when he saw I’d calmed down.

“Sure. I’m ready.” I stood to the side of the path and held out my arm. “After you.”

Alex sighed. “Yeah. I guess it’s only fair I take the lead now.” He walked in front of me.

“Maybe you can show me how you see the spider web before you walk through it.” I said with a laugh.

Alex started walking looking for any more spider webs.

We had only gone a few feet when Alex stopped and pointed to a web going across the path.

I looked over Alex’s shoulder. “How did you see that?”

Alex shrugged his shoulder as he picked up a stick and used it to move the web.

“You want to go first now?” He asked ready to hand me the spider-be-gone stick.

I patted him on the shoulder. “No. You go ahead. You’re doing a great job.”

FALL HARVEST

It was a beautiful fall morning and my son Alex and I were taking advantage of the gorgeous day by sitting on the deck and eating our breakfast.

“What are your plans for today?” I asked as I took a bite of my egg sandwich.

“Well, even though it’s Saturday, I want to finish up a project I’ve been working on all week.” Alex squirted some ketchup on his plate and dipped his sandwich in it.

“Sounds good.” I said as I watched a squirrel digging a small hole in the center of the yard. Once he was finished digging he looked around before placing an acorn in the hole and quickly covering it up, even giving it a few extra pats to make sure it was sealed in tight. “What do you think the odds are that he can remember where he’s buried that?” I asked Alex as I pointed to the squirrel as he trotted to the tree line of our woods.

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea.” He said before taking another bite.

“Well, let’s see.” I picked up my phone and began typing. As I was reading the first article I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, come on! I find this hard to believe!”

“What?” He took a sip of his coffee.

“It says that they can find anywhere from 75 to 95 percent of their buried nuts.” I looked over to watch two squirrels chase each other around a tree. “They just don’t seem that bright.”

Alex laughed. “That’s because you like chipmunks better than squirrels.”

“Only because they’re cuter and smarter!” I countered as I put my phone down and picked up my tea cup.

“Okay, I’ll give you cuter.” Alex said. “But how do you know they’re smarter?”

“Well, for one they don’t bury their food all over the yard hoping they’ll be able to figure out where they put it when they’re hungry.” I pointed over to the chipmunk sitting on the wall of our fire-pit, it’s cheeks puffed out with all the nuts he’d collected. “He’s going to go down into his burrow and store those nuts in his food chamber where he’ll have no problem finding them when he wants to eat.”

Alex had finished his sandwich, tossed his napkin on the plate, and leaned back in his chair. “Okay, maybe that’s a smarter way to store food.” He agreed. “But that still doesn’t mean squirrels are dumb.”

“Really?” I looked over at the two squirrels chasing each other around the woods. “Have you ever seen a chipmunk chew through the lid of a garbage can because they can’t find the food they stored away in the fall?”

Alex shrugged his shoulders as he nodded his head. “I guess you have a point there.”

“Exactly!” I pointed to the squirrels that were now yelling at each other, puffed up and twitching. “There’s no way those two idiots are remembering where they hid their nuts 95 percent of the time.”

The chipmunk had jumped off the fire-pit and was now slowly climbing up the steps of our deck.

Alex and I both stopped talking and sat perfectly still as the chipmunk was now just a few feet away from us. He stopped and looked at us before he scampered across the deck and dropped over the side near where he’d dug his burrow.

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about.” I said once he was out of sight.

“What?” Alex looked confused as he picked up his coffee cup.

“There’s no way I’d be sitting quietly if a squirrel was coming up on our deck.” I looked over at the feuding squirrels still yelling at one another, tails flicking. “I’d be stomping my feet and chasing them off.”

Alex started to laugh. “That’s not because you think chipmunks are smarter.”

“Nope. It’s definitely because chipmunks are cuter!”

LOCAL SUMMER

“It’s here.” I sighed as I stood on the boardwalk leaning against the railing looking out at the ocean. I could hear the waves hitting the sandy shoreline and that sound was exactly what I needed. I looked over at my husband Steven who was standing next to me. “Local summer.” I sighed again. “My favorite time to go to the beach.”

Steven laughed as he patted me on the back then sat down on the bench and put his feet up on the railing. “It is nice.” He agreed.

Our son Alex came over to us holding three paper plates stacked on top of each other. Each with a slice of pizza on it. “Here you go.” He said as he handed each of us a plate and then pulled some napkins out of his pocket and passed them around.

“This was a great idea!” I said to him as I sat down next to Steven, picked up my slice and began blowing on it to cool it off.

“Thanks!” Alex said as he sat down next to me.

“You know,” I looked over my shoulder to a few people who were walking the boardwalk. “For such a beautiful day there’s hardly anyone here.”

Alex looked over his shoulder. “Well, it could be that it’s a Tuesday and everyone is still at work.” He took a bite of his pizza.

“Hey, I was at work, too!” I cried before I finally thought my pizza was cool enough to take a bite.

“Yeah, but you got out of work at three-thirty.” Steven reminded me.

I smiled and nodded. “That’s true and that’s a wonderful thing for me at this time of year! It gives me time to do this!” I took another bite.

Seagulls were flying over our heads with several standing around our feet hoping one of us would lower our guard enough so they could snatch some of our dinner from us. “Not today, my friends.” I said to them as I took another bite.

“It’s pretty slim pickings for them right now.” Steven reminded me.

“They’re still not getting any of mine.” I put the slice back on my plate and covered it with a napkin. Leaning back and putting my feet up on the railing I took a deep breath. “It smells so good out here.”

“Your pizza?” Alex asked as a seagull hopped closer to him.

“Well, sure.” I turned to him. “But it’s also the salty smell of the ocean.” I inhaled. “Can’t you smell it?”

Alex nodded his head and laughed. “I think I’m smelling more garlic than ocean.”

I shook my head. “Honestly, just the sound of those waves has a calming effect on me.” I uncovered my pizza slice and took another bite.

Steven leaned forward looking past me to catch Alex’s eye. “Did you hear that?” He asked with a laugh.

Alex looked confused. “Hear what?”

“Your Mom said if we get a sound machine and play the sound of waves she won’t get upset when we leave dirty dishes in the sink and forget to put them in the dishwasher.”

I looked over at Steven and laughed. “Nice try.”

“What can I say?” Steven shrugged his shoulders as he leaned back against the bench. “It was worth a shot.”

WHO’S KNOCKING AT MY DOOR?

It was first thing in the morning and I was rushing around the house trying to get ready for work. I grabbed my bags and water bottle off the chair and headed to the front door calling out “Good-by!” to whoever was in earshot when my son Alex came around the corner.

“Be careful! There’s a praying mantis at the front door.”

I stopped and looked at him. “Are you kidding me?”

Alex shook his head and opened the front door for me, pointing down at the doorstep where a praying mantis was peeking up at me, one of his arms reaching out towards the door. “I saw him when I was moving my car this morning so you could get your car out.”

“Well, hello there!” I said as I stepped over our new little friend and onto the front porch. I turned to face him again. “You’re a pretty big fella.” I said with admiration as I bent down to get a closer look.

He was almost six inches long with a mixture of green and brown coloring. “He’s either getting ready to blend in with the fall colors or he’s getting ready to mate and lay the egg sack.” I said as I looked up at Alex.

“Which one do you think it is?” Alex was still standing in the house looking down at the praying mantis that was trying to pull itself up the step to get into our house.

I shrugged my shoulders. “I’m not sure.”

“Should we just leave him here?” Alex said pointing to the doorstep.

I looked around and sighed. My husband Steven truck was already gone but who knows if anyone else was coming to the front door and might not see our new little friend and accidentally step on him.

“I think we should move him.” I dropped my bags on the porch and looked around for a stick or twig.

“I thought you were running late for work?” Alex said as he stepped over the praying mantis and stood on the porch with me.

“I am. But I can’t go to work knowing this little guy might get hurt.” I was going down the steps and into our shrubs looking for anything that I could get him to climb onto.

“I can do it.” Alex said as he came up behind me. “You go to work.”

“It’s okay.” I saw a twig sturdy enough to do the job. “Let’s try this.” I said holding it up as we both went back to the porch.

I held the twig in front of where he or she wanted to walk, hoping they’d climb on and it could be on their way to safety. “Oh, come on!” I cried after several attempts only to have it sidestep the twig.

“I think he really wants to come in the house.” Alex laughed.

I looked at my watch and started to feel frustrated that the twig wasn’t working.

“Why don’t you let me try?” Alex asked as he reached for the twig.

“Fine!” I sighed handing it to him. I began gathering up my bags and water bottle. “But I don’t think it’s going to work.”

Alex opened the front door.

“What are you doing?” I cried.

“He seems to want to come inside.” He said as he laid the twig on the doorstep.

“But it can’t!” I cried again as I saw the praying mantis slowly walk onto the twig.

“See.” Alex held up the twig with the praying mantis clinging to it. “Where should I put him?”

I reached over and closed the front door. “Well, certainly not inside the house.” I said with a laugh.

“How about over here in the bushes?” Alex walked down the front steps with me following.

He gently laid the stick on the bush and backed away looking at me.

I looked at my watch again. “Well, if I don’t get any red lights and everyone goes the speed limit I should still be at work on time.” I headed for my car. “Good luck to you.” I called over my shoulder.

“Who are you saying that to?” Alex asked with a laugh as he headed for the front door.

“I guess all of us!” I called back. “Me, getting to work on time. You, for a good day at work and our little friend…” I tossed my bags in the back seat. “Just a great day doing praying mantis stuff.”

HEADED SOUTH

“Hey!” My husband Steven called from the kitchen. “The hummingbirds are at your feeder!”

I walked into the kitchen and saw Steven standing by the back door. When I went to stand next to him I could see four hummingbirds battling each other for exclusive rights to our nectar.

“Why is it that our hummingbirds are always fighting?” I said shaking my head. “I’ve seen videos where dozens are drinking from the same feeder and everyone is getting along just fine.”

Steven shrugged his shoulders. “These are New Jersey hummingbirds. Maybe they’re just as scrappy as the people in this state.”

I shook my head and laughed. “I guess they are kind of scrappy.” I went to the cabinet and got out the bag of sugar. “I guess it’s time to give them some fresh sugar water.” I got out a sauce pan and put it on the stove.

“Shouldn’t they be heading South soon?” Steven asked.

“It’s funny you say that.” I got out a measuring cup and began scooping out some sugar. “When my sister Liz and I were up in Maine a few weeks ago we had a hummingbird that kept circling our heads when we were sitting out on the deck.”

“Did your rental cabin have a hummingbird feeder?” Steven asked.

“At first we thought it did because when the hummingbird wasn’t circling our heads it sat on the railing of the deck just staring at us.”

“It was just staring at you?” Steven seemed confused.

“Well, maybe not us.” I admitted. “There was a pretty strong breeze coming off the lake so Liz and I had blankets draped over our legs.” I poured the sugar in the pot and went to fill the measuring cup with water. “The pattern on the blankets was a buffalo plaid so I’m pretty sure the hummingbird was looking at the big squares of red and getting confused.”

“So what did you do?”

“Liz and I felt so bad that we didn’t have anything to feed him that we took our blankets and went back in the house.”

“That was nice of you.” Steven said as he leaned against the counter.

I shrugged my shoulders. “It was a pretty windy day so going inside was more for us than it was for the hummingbird.”

Steven laughed. “Well, at least you’re honest.”

“Exactly.” I laughed. “But now that I know they haven’t left Maine yet…” I turned the burner on and stirred the sugar and water mixture. “I’m pretty sure we still have a few more weeks of getting our Jersey hummingbirds ready to fly south for the winter.”

“Are you getting them fighting ready for when the hummingbirds from Maine show up?”

I turned around and saw our hummingbirds dipping and diving around the feeder without any of them being able to stop and get a drink. I turned back to the stove and gave the nectar a quick stir. “Hopefully by the time the ones from Maine show up,” I pointed my thumb over my shoulder. “these little terrors will already be on their way.”

TOLL ROAD

Screenshot

My son Alex and I were driving out of our development headed for the grocery store when I spotted the lemonade stand up ahead.

“Oh, no. They’re still at it! ” I cried and looked over at Alex. “Duck down!”

Alex looked around confused. “Duck down? Why?”

I didn’t want to slow the car down and give the lemonade stand entrepreneurs any false hope.

“Just duck down! Please!” I cried as Alex scrunched down in the front seat and I drove by the two girls who were jumping up and down, trying to wave me over. “I feel like I have to pay a lemonade toll just to get out of the neighborhood.” I said under my breath as I drove by them smiling and waving. “I’m pretty sure I’ve already paid enough to start their college fund.”

“You’re nuts.” Alex said with a laugh, his head leaned against the arm rest.

“Okay. All clear.” I looked in my rear-view mirror and could see the disappointment on the girls faces that I hadn’t stopped. “You can get up now.”

Alex sat back up. “Why did I have to do that?” He asked.

“Because I didn’t want their little puppy dog eyes making you feel bad and then you asking me to stop and buy some of their lemonade.”

“It’s only a dollar a cup. What’s the big deal?” He adjusted his seat belt.

“They’ve had that stand up every day for the past two weeks!” I cried. “I’m in and out of this neighborhood a half a dozen times a day!” I looked over at Alex and laughed. “I can’t afford it!”

“Hey, they’re just kids.” Alex reasoned. “I’m sure they realize you can’t stop every time.”

I shook my head. “I’m not too sure about that. They seem pretty disappointed whenever I just smile and wave to them.”

“Well, look on the bright side…” Alex started to say.

“What bright side?” I cut in.

“School starts soon and they won’t have time for a lemonade stand.”

“Yeah. I’m not too sure about that.” Alex could hear the doubt in my voice.

“What do you mean?”

“They seem to be having a lot of success with that stand. What if they decide to switch over to apple cider and donuts for the Fall?”

Alex started to laugh. “Really?”

“I’m totally serious.” I said as I pulled over to the curb, out of eye sight of the lemonade stand, and looked in the back seat. “Oh, shoot!” I said.

“What’s the matter?” Alex looked in the back seat, which was empty.

I turned back around and smacked the steering wheel. “I forgot the grocery bags.”

“Just turn around and go back to the house.” Alex said. “I’ll run in and get them.”

I pulled back onto the road and continued going straight.

“Where are you going?” Alex asked. “Don’t you want to go back for the grocery bags?”

“I am.” I said as I got to the corner of the development and stopped. Putting my blinker on I waited for the traffic to clear before pulling out. “I’m just going to go in the back way to our house. This way I don’t have to go past their stand again.”

“Are you serious?” Alex laughed.

“Hey, I’ll do anything to avoid a toll.”

HOMEMADE PICKLES

My sister Liz and I were spending a week in Maine. While we were looking through a local gift shop I noticed a section in the store of homemade jams and relishes. I picked up a jar of pickles and held it out to Liz. “Did I tell you about the homemade pickles Alex and I made?”

“No.” Liz shook her head.

“It was actually a lot of fun.” I put the jar back on the shelf and began to explain…

My son Alex and I were in a local produce market doing our weekly fruit and vegetable run when I walked by a bin of beautifully stacked cucumbers. I picked one up and showed him. “What do you think about me making some homemade refrigerator pickles today?”

Alex looked confused. “When did you decide you wanted to do that?”

I laughed. “Just now when I saw these cute little cukes.”

I began looking through the cucumber bin, picking out several that looked perfect. Holding them in my hands I nodded my head in the direction of the produce bags, “Can you grab one for me to put these in?”

Alex pulled a plastic bag off the roll, opened it, and held it out for me.

“Thanks.” I said as I dropped them in. “I actually saw the recipe online a few days ago.

“So what else do you need to make them?” He asked.

“Good question.” I moved our cart out the the way and pulled out my phone to look up the recipe again.

Scrolling through my phone I pointed to the bag of cucumbers in our cart. “Kirby cucumbers. Check.”

I looked around the store. “I’ll also need some fresh dill.”

“I saw some back there.” Alex said as he ripped off another plastic bag from the spool and headed to the fresh herb section.

I was still scrolling when he came back.

“Here you go.” He said as he put the bag of dill in our cart.

“It looks like I have everything else I need at home already.” I began reading the ingredients. “White vinegar, pepper corns, garlic cloves, sea salt, and red pepper flakes. Oh, wait…it says you can also put in coriander seeds.” I looked over at Alex. “I don’t think I’ve ever used that one before.”

Alex pointed over to the section that had all the jarred spices. “I’m sure they’ll have some over there.”

I pushed the cart, following Alex as he went to the spice section. “Here it is.” He handed it to me.

“Oh, I’ve seen this before.” I put it in the cart. “I think we’re all set.” We headed for the checkout.

“I’m surprised you’re going to do some canning.” Alex was placing items from our cart onto the checkout counter. “You always said you were afraid of canning because if you did it wrong you could give someone botulism.”

“I haven’t changed my mind on that one but I’m not canning these.” I opened a bag placing the paid for items in it after they were scanned. “That’s the beauty of refrigerator pickles. You just cut up the pickles, layer the seasonings in the jar, pour the brine over it all, close the lid, put it in the fridge, and you’ve got pickles the next day!”

“So I guess pickles are the vegetable we’re going to be eating all week?” He asked.

I looked confused. “Why are you saying that?”

The cashier had finished ringing us up and was waiting for me to pay.

“Because the only things we got were the ingredients to make pickles.”

I looked in my bag and realized he was right. “Okay.” I said with a laugh. “I guess I got a little distracted.” I smiled at the cashier as I swiped my credit card.

As we were walking out of the store I looked over at Alex. “I guess we should put this bag in the car and go back in and finished our shopping. What do you think?”

Alex laughed as he patted me on the back. “I think that sound’s like a good plan.”