When we married many years ago, we honestly never thought about our later years. Years when we were established, comfortable, work-weary, ready to slow down and just enjoy life are nowhere. It is really a good thing that we never assumed we would be living down in Florida on a golf course, or in the mountains in a cozy little log cabin, or even off on an island in the Caribbean because our lives are certainly not one of retreat.
We are, if possible, busier now than several years ago. We operate several retail grocery stores, with supervision management help from our sons and we work a reasonably large cattle ranch and farm; work, and harvest and preserve a large vegetable garden; we do our own yard work.
Twenty years ago, our busy times were not so demanding or difficult. Most of the time, people our ages are sitting back with a fishing pole on the side of some tranquil creek bank or crocheting or doing some other thing to just pass the time. Not us! Neither of us would fit into a “slowed-down” life like that.
I have seen many as they become older and can enjoy their social security believe it is now time to just stop their busy lives and just sit. I have also seen many of them whose health starts to decline as they wait for “aging.” I realize that some have no choice due to declining health. Oh, yes, of course, we have contemplated stepping/sitting down many times and have just looked at each other and said, “Nah!”
It really helps to enjoy our life’s work or the things we do. I love to paint, though I am no Rembrandt. I love writing; again I am no John Grisham. I do not think anyone needs to be an expert at anything, but just have an innate joy in doing the things we enjoy. I am no gourmet cook, but I can draw a crowd when I fill my table. And of course, I love being a Meme. Babysitting is one of the most important and fun things I could ever do and with 13 grandchildren I never lack for this enjoyment!
Sure, we still daydream about buying a beach house and playing golf all day or building a small cabin out in the woods and living off the land, but it is really only daydreams. We complain quite frequently about the business of our days and the difficulties encountered. Then we think about just “being.” Sitting and watching life pass us by and we both have decided we will do just what we are doing until we are called Home and then we will rest!
This is a very simple coffee cake either for breakfast or sharing with coffee company.
Blackberry Skillet Coffee Cake
Streusel Topping - ¼ cup chopped pecans, ¼ cup sugar, 3 T. butter, 2 ½ T. flour, 1 t. cinnamon
Coffee Cake - 3 T. butter, 3 T. brown sugar, one 12 oz. tube buttermilk biscuits, 1 cup blueberries, thawed frozen Preheat oven to 375*. Combine pecans, sugar, butter, flour and cinnamon in a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs
In a 9” cast iron skillet melt butter and brown sugar and arrange biscuits in a single layer and scatter blueberries on top and then streusel topping. Bake until golden brown. About 30 minutes.
