Fall has always been my favorite season,
The time when everything bursts with the last beauty,
As if nature had been saving up all year,
For the grand finale.
“Wither” by Lauren De Stefano

Last Thursday, Hubby and I met Hubby’s sister Peg, his niece Terri, and our daughter Sue at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Wrentham. We had to go there on a Thursday because that is the only day of the week when the turkey dinner is served. Peg dearly wanted turkey just like Thanksgiving. Hubby and I arrived a little early and waited for the other three. Where would we wait but sitting on the comfy rocking chairs in front of the restaurant. The day was beautiful, bright sun and blue skies. It was a little chilly. When Peg, Terri, and Sue arrived, Sue ran inside to give our name. The rest of us took a quick tour around the beautiful gift shop.

Our name was called quickly and we had a large table just inside the door. We asked the maitre d’ if it was true that pot roast was the meal of the day as was shown on the bulletin board. (Peg had her heart set on turkey.) “Don’t worry,” said he, “both turkey and pot roast are the specials.” Peg, of course, ordered turkey; Hubby, pot roast; Sue, chicken tenders; Terri, turkey; and me, of course, meatloaf. We asked if the rolls could be brought out when they were ready. Fortunately for us, the biscuits were ready in a couple of minutes, so the waitress gave us eight. She would give us five corn breads when they were finally baked. Terri ordered root beer and I ordered diet root beer. What I love about the root beers is that they are served in an icy-cold mug. That is so elegant!

There was barely a sound among the five of us after the food was served. Hubby never said a word. That is always the case when he is eating roast beef. I was good ordering carrots for a vegetable but I did order cole slaw, which those on Warfarin are not supposed to eat. I did share it with Hubby. (Their cole slaw is a terrific choice.) Some of us ordered dessert. Terri had a chocolate brownie sundae. I didn’t look or I would have absconded with it. The menu also offered a slice of sugar-free apple pie with a scoop of no-sugar-added vanilla ice cream. I ordered that. Hubby took some of my apple pie to go with his scoop of regular vanilla ice cream and Sue took about one-third of my pie. She was surprised that it tasted so good. I know that I was able to buy a sugar-free pie to take to my brother’s home when visiting him close to the holidays a few years back. Peg had wanted a piece of pumpkin pie but the waitress told us the pies are only sold around the holidays.

When we finished our dinners, we went into the gift shop. It is probably one of the best gift shops I’ve ever visited. Sue, Terri, and I knew where the clothing racks that offered reduced prices were located. We made a bee line for them. Most of the clothing was knitted sweaters, and I was afraid I would catch my ring in the loose knit. We then looked at the Willow Tree figurines. They had some beautiful ones on display, especially to give to a bride and groom. We didn’t actually buy anything. When we left the restaurant, Terri had two gift bags in her hands. One she gave to her Mom Peg; the other she gave to me. Inside was a jarred candle with a silver top. On the glass around the candle was painted the most beautiful red cardinal. Terri said, “Now I don’t have to mail these to you both at Christmas from Colorado.” That was such a smart move.

From there our two cars went right to the Big Apple Barn in the Sheldonville section of Wrentham. We were delighted that there were very few people there at 4 p.m. We always went to the Big Apple when the kids were young at 2 p.m. on a Sunday when there was little parking. I knew right where the Mac apples were displayed so I headed for them. Sue headed for the barrel of undersized apples and grabbed one. There were all types of vegetables and lots of cider. We just took the apples. When we came home, we put them right in the fridge for a cold treat after supper.

The following day, I received a call from Terri: “What are you doing on Saturday? I’d love to have breakfast at Gerard’s before I get to the airport.” At 10:45 a.m., last Saturday, Hubby and I were outside Gerard’s. There was a cool wind so we went inside and ordered coffee to warm us. The girls came along quickly. Bill Brett was sitting at the counter. “I’ll send them along to you when they come in,” said he, and he did. Both girls ordered the most terrific-looking blueberry pancakes. Hubby and I had bacon and eggs. The girls spoke about all the things they had done while Terri was in Boston. Terri was delighted that she had time to get to see her Dad Jim’s grave. To raise their spirits, Terri showed Sue the way to the Lynwood Café in Randolph. They told us that the restaurant only serves pizza. They also told us that the pizza was positively wonderful. We will have to check out the Lynwood some Friday during Lent.

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I was never known as a good typist so I must apologize for making a mistake on the year that Fr. Bill Carrigg was ordained. Fr. Bill was ordained on Feb. 2, 1956; his brother, our Fr. George, was ordained on the same date, in 1957. In addition to Fr. George, Fr. Bill also leaves his sisters Anne T. Carrigg and Mary E. Carrigg, his nephews, Thomas, John, William, Joseph, Christopher, and Paul Carrigg, and a niece, Kathleen Butler. He was pre-deceased by his brothers Thomas F. Carrigg Jr. and John J. Carrigg. He also leaves several grandnieces and grandnephews.

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Congratulations have been sent to Charlie Conners, who, with the other nine members of his team, the Boston Sharks, were named the Modified Champions over Labor Day Weekend in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
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I love this thought from Ronald Reagan: “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”