As I sit comfortably in my office after having spent the evening with neighbors in the cul-de-sac shooting off fireworks, I still smell the fragrance of smoke coming through the open window and continue to hear the pop of 'celebration'. And as I sit comfortably here, I'm aware of other Americans, friends of mine even, on foreign soil, who are celebrating our country and what she stands for. And furthermore, as I sit here, tapping away at the keyboard, I am aware of at least one soldier who lost his life early today, perhaps yesterday, serving the greatest nation on God's green earth. I don't know him personally, but I read about him this morning through a friend. It sobered me to think that his mother received that news today on our Independence Day and made me realize that even though my own son is away from me today, he is not far and he is alive, healthy, and well. Thank you, God, for all the freedoms You've afforded our country and for the family that I have!
My son is only about two and half hours away and we drove over mid-state to watch him play today. It was certainly a forgettable game (it was a bad baseball day from the Red Sox on down!), but it was great to get out of the norm of our routine. We were in Yakima, WA, and they sure know how to do a holiday right … everything was closed! They must know something that we don't … like maybe there was a lake close by or something … because literally, there was NOTHING open! Crazy people east of them thar mountains! I took some photos, though, of their old Capitol Theatre … a pretty amazing piece of architecture for such a small town.
I am amazed every time I drive east on I-90. Mount Rainier seems ever-present! And my camera struggles to match up to her grandeur!
The route is lined with pine trees clear through the pass till just on the other side of Cle Elum and then the scenery changes as if at the whim of a movie director. No longer is it the lush green and pine trees with threads of snow lingering on the upper peaks, but instead it is rolling hills and farm land that looks from a distance like a quilt made of greens and browns.
On the way over, I kept seeing signs for farmers' stands and fresh vegetables, but we were short on time. The first batter was due up at 1 PM, and we would barely make it by 1:15. However, on the way home, we stopped at a couple of places. I came home with fresh corn (lots of it—think freezer time!), doughnut peaches, Pink Lady apples, Bing cherries, green beans, tomatoes … Washington-made Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (Oh YEAH!). And remember the plea for a dill pickle recipe from Mom a couple of days ago … I came home with 10 pounds of cukes, guaranteed by the knowledgeable lady at Gibson Produce to yield me 6 quarts of dills, not sliced! She even looked it up in the Ball Blue Book. Now we'll see if Mom's recipe matches with this lovely Gibson Girl's calculations. Even if it doesn't, I'm so grateful for her sweet spirit, willingness to share home-grown knowledge as well as home-grown veggies!
Which leads me to sing the Gibson Produce praises!
Gibson Produce is run by two gals, childhood friends, who work together as they once played together. Their business is at the same exit as another, more commercial 'produce stand', but they are definitely the more authentic of the two, I must say. I write this here because if you are on I-90 headed anywhere and you want local produce, Gibson's is the place to stop. ALL of their produce is local whereas the 'more commercial' one has stuff all the way from Canada, Maine, and who-knows-where-else and their prices aren't that fantastic anyway. Gibson has great prices on local stuff and will treat you right, too. Why, they'll even look stuff up in the Ball Blue Book for ya!
I suggested a picture of the two childhood friends, but they promptly refused and I didn't push the issue. They had been working hard with the produce all day and if you think that is a flattering, glamorous job, you should SO totally think again! They were more than happy, though, for me to give them a small bit of publicity here. SO … my Washingtonian readers, or anyone passing through, if you are EVER traveling to Yakima for a baseball tournament or a horse show, or a wine country tour … and if you are ever doing one of those things and want as well to bring home fresh, local produce, please ignore the larger commercial shop and stop by to see the sweet Gibson Girls at Gibson Produce. They'll treat you good and they may have no idea why you are referring to them as a Gibson Girl! I plead innocence on that count!
Our 4th of July dinner was very tasty … more to follow on that, but here's a little eye candy …
I hope you Americans near and far enjoyed the remembrance of where America came from and why we could all enjoy ample food and fireworks to celebrate our nation's birthday today. And if you aren't American, know that we as a country will always welcome you in our Melting Pot. "We'll leave the light on for ya."
