Cucumber Time and Sensible Decisions

Saturday News Digest, V1/E22

Table of Contents

• Ode to Cucumber Time

• Pennsylvania Dutch Riddle Corner

• Going Fishing

Ode to Cucumber Time
Bring it back!

August used to be known as Cucumber Time, aka the Silly Season, when all the powers-that-be hauled themselves off to grand vacations at about the same time cucumbers were ready to be harvested. This allowed the news to focus on late summer’s more pressing concerns, often having to do with animals. For instance, dogs surfing, small-town blackouts caused by cows scratching themselves against power poles, and England’s best-loved carp dying at the age of 25 years.

We told Agnes it’s too late for visitors, we gotta go to bed!

I’ve done my part with the Agnes the possum stories, but we need so many more, especially now when we really have to move on from hearing any more from the famous crazies.

Don’t you wish Cucumber Time was back? Yes, I know you do.

Pennsylvania Dutch Riddle Corner 
As told at last Saturday's Goschenhopper Festival

A bit of nonsense now and then 
Is agreeable in the best of men. 
--Gottlieb Boonasatiel, Pennsylvania Dutch 1904 Almanac  

What looks like half a chicken? 
The other half!  

What is older than its mother? 
Vinegar!  

What has its heart in its head?
A cabbage!

Going Fishing
A most common-sense decision

The first plan for America Eats! was to keep chugging along through the summer and into the fall without a stop in between. After all, I made a commitment to readers to write every week a long Tuesday post followed by grab-bag Saturday. It's a commitment I take seriously and, in truth, I appreciate immensely for its chance to explore different subjects and creative ways to write about them, followed by the joy of shipping them out to you.

Unfortunately, that plan didn't take into consideration the realities of writing  seven full days a week for 15 months. Nor did it reckon with a COVID bout and its lingering after-effects; a bunch of out-of-town research and reporting trips; a wilting husband fighting a heap of serious First Amendment challenges; a dog that's suddenly learned to bark; and a returning stomach ailment probably awakened by all the before-mentioned annoyances.

I think that's it. 

In any case, the bad writing in Tuesday's story brought on a confrontation between my sensible and irrational selves. For once, Ms. Sensible won: I'm going to take the next two weeks off. As she pointed out, it's Cucumber Time, and while the news and the rest of the world doesn't seem to know that, a lot of us do and have turned off our brains until the fall when we'll need them most.

That may or may not be my husband in the red chair and striped trunks.

The new plan for America Eats! is to spend as much time as weather permits sitting on a nearby public beach reading, napping, and staring at the ocean. Also, and more importantly, hanging out a lot with old friends we haven't been with in months/years. This will result in several rounds of stiff cocktails, followed by a simple meal that pairs well with good cheap wine, and ends with an over-the-top dessert.

Ms. Sensible knows her stuff.

America Eats! will be back on September 6 with a promise to be in better form. 

Unplug yourself, as well, and we'll see each other soon!

With a ton of appreciation for sticking around!
~Pat

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