The Bounty of Late Ohio Summers

This evening I’m going to treat myself to a delightful and low-calorie dinner of a tomato…not just any tomato, but an organically grown tomato grown by an Amish farmer here in Ohio. Ohio is known for wonderful, juicy tomatoes. They also have great corn they sell at all the fruit and vegetable stands around the area. One kind of corn that is a special favorite is “Incredible Corn”, yes, that’s the actual name, and it isn’t ready for picking until the beginning of August. Anyone who knows me knows that vegetables are not one of my favorite things, except these homegrown ones. Believe it or not, my mouth waters just awaiting my dinner…yes, that tomato makes a whole meal for me!  So, I took a picture of it on a dinner plate before I dug into it. It was so juice that it dripped down my arm! And it became TWO meals!

*Another thing I’m doing is I have started taking Tai Chi classes here in Ohio! With all this sitting around (rather than racing around the halls or going to constant meetings) we begin to bulk up (nice way of not saying put on weight). I was hesitant about joining Tai Chi, but my kids said, “Just try it Mom”, so I did. I was surprised how easy it was, and gentle on the body. After only a few classes I can feel tightened muscles loosening up. When I get back next week, I need to find a nice, gentle Tai Chi class that is easy to get to and can work with this old buzzard. I bet others have also been feeling like their muscles are turning to mush. The first thing I’ll do when I get home is go to the Marco YMCA to check out their classes, and if they don’t have one, or if it is full, I’ll try the gym in East Naples.

*I’ve been reading every page and every story in the Coastal Breeze while on vacation. WOW, there are some great articles and stories in there. It’s better than reading a book, and I’m afraid I don’t read the local newspaper anymore, so now I walk away feeling good after reading this paper.

*The people here in Ohio have been complaining about the heat and humidity, but I’m loving every minute of it. They really have no idea what humidity is! Their high is 83 and humidity is 68 and they are uncomfortable.  I think it’s refreshing.  You can still work in your garden, grow vegetables and flowers, go for walks and picnics, and breathe easily…and the people are so friendly and welcoming! But heaven help you if you need a blood test or something. My friend needed a blood test, but there isn’t a local blood testing facility anywhere around. You can go to an urgent care, if they’ll take you, but the closest one is only open from 4:00 to 6:00, five days a week. Finally, you go to the only hospital in town, and they take you right in, get the test done in minutes, and you walk out...no waiting, no hassle. Of course, at this hospital there are only 23 beds, and another 16 for new mothers and their newborns.

*Did I tell you they have a large candy store where they make their own milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate, and they have a conveyer belt that takes the candy to the next position, where they decorate or fill or whatever process comes next. I honestly don’t feel I’ve ever tasted chocolate this good. I have to bring lots home for family and friends, and that also brings up the cost of luggage, but it’s worth every penny of it! They also have a cheese making factory, and my goodness, that is so much fun to watch!  I load up on that as well. I actually see some of their products at The Fresh Market in Naples.   It’s called Heini’s Cheese and comes in many flavors and types. This is just a village, but for its size they have so many things big cities do not. This year I had a few friends come to visit, so I got to show them around. I loved every minute of their visit! And with that, I’d better get busy eating more of my tomato and packing up to leave. See you soon.