Bring on the Gravy!

I spent several hours yesterday with my family -- more specifically with Daddy, Shanda, and Dale. We planted 14 rows of Irish potatoes. . . .Shanda and I sat on the setter behind the tractor, dropping potatoes into the ground. Daddy, of course, was driving the tractor, and Dale walked behind planting the ones that didn't go deep enough or fixing any little problems the setter (or Shanda and I) had. It wasn't the hardest job, nor the easiest I've ever done. Shanda was thrilled to be dirty (city-living really doesn't agree with her), and I must admit it felt good, although my manicure suffered, and now I have semi-permanent potato and dirt stains on my thumbs. My butt was temporarily numb, and today my upper body is slightly sore. But it is a good sore-ness. It was cool to be a kid again with an adult perspective. In so many ways it felt like "old times". Dale being a typical brother -- teasing, aggravating -- we sang and laughed together. Daddy laughed at us and with us. Hopefully this summer we'll have lots of potatoes for potato soup, mashed potatoes, French fries, potatoes au gratin, etc. But we've already reaped the greatest reward -- time well-spent with people you love. That, my friends, is gravy! :~)