hahahaha... a huge thank you to Cousin Art.

Good thing you talked Granpappy out of using the helicopter for this wild invention. You and Granpappy made one fine team for inventions and other fun stuff.

This new invention is going to give me time to make all the pies we will need for the hootenanny.

Granpappy is always up to something, and I think it makes him feel good to be useful around here.

How are those apples coming? Pies sound great for the hootenanny, Phyllis. I love apple pie. I guess I ought to stock the freezer with vanilla ice cream for those that want a scoop or two on slices of warm pie. Yum.....

Yes, please, on the ice cream.

I think it would be fun to try to come up with unusual apple pie concoctions. Chocolate apple pie, pumpkin apple pie, apple upside down cake?

I'm finally getting somewhere with the stomping, but it isn't pretty. It tastes fine though. Get out your cups, and then we can sit back and watch the tree cuisinart go.

Granpappy's gonna be mighty disappointed when that petrol runs out. He is like a little kid watching that machine go.

Hmmmmm.....apple upside down cake sounds good, Jilly.

Granpappy's favorite pie is apple/blackberry -- so, seeing as how the cider is almost ready, I am going blackberry pickin'.

I got out the ice cream maker. So we can make up a batch or two of ice cream to go with the pies.

I'll go with you to pick blackberries. It's such fun, even though you get scratched up. I've got my basket!

I think I will come along with you ladies. I could use a little nature time, and picking fruit sounds great. I'm going to pick a few extra berries for my morning cereal.....

I'll run with all of you. I have fond memories of walking through the poison ivy and Queen Anne's Lace to get to the blackberry patch. Everything smelled so green in the hot summer sun.

Great! With the four of us we have enough blackberries for lots of pies and also to make blackberry topping for the ice cream.

We got lots to do, ladies, before Beetle gets back. Pies, ice cream, toppings, cider, plus sandwiches enough for all of us.

Tomorrow we can start the hootenanny. Round up Burt, invite all your friends, bring out the banjos, fiddles, guitars, kazoos, and we are going to have a mighty fine week here on the 'Ol Front Porch.

It all sounds mighty fine, Phyllis, especially the blackberry topping for the ice cream. Mmmmm mmmmm.......

I am lying on my deck swing rocking back and forth and listening to music. It was a very strange day and I needed to decompress. Mother nature is helping me to feel better.

I'm looking forward to that hootenanny tomorrow. I like that we will be partying all week long. Where is Burt? He will have to grill something for us some time this week. He is so good at it.

After a little down time I will come into the kitchen to help you out with the preparations, Phyllis. We DO have a lot to do before Beetle gets back, and gosh knows we can't rely on Granpappy for help..........except with the eating!