Category Archives: Ruth’s Dishes

The Candy Stick Treat: Poem

Here is a story written for one of my stories by my friend Bob Bartlett.  Just one of many.  Very talented fellow.  Thanks Bob great poem.  GW

 

THE CANDY STICK TREAT

(1) Laura was cooking bacon and eggs,

The smell of fresh coffee filled the air;

Reg was getting ready for breakfast,

As George ventured down the stairs!

 

(2) George knew they were going on a trip to town,

When he saw a penny by his plate;

This was to buy a candy-stick for him,

So his breakfast he quickly ate!

 

(3) After breakfast he was out the door

And hitched up the buckboard and horse;

He was anxious to get started on their trip,

With the penny in his pants pocket of course!

 

(4) On the trip to town Reg would always ask George,

How he liked living with Laura and him;

George said he liked it there just fine,

As he looked out from under his hat brim!

 

(5) Reg and Laura were George’s guardians

And Reg was a very special guy;

He often knew what George was thinking;

In the blinking of an eye!

 

(6) George liked to talk with Reg,

Cause he felt like a grown-up man;

And he liked to spend time with Laura too,

In the kitchen with her pots and her pans!

 

(7) But George was eager to get to town

To make a visit to the hardware store;

So he could buy his candy-stick treat,

In a big jar just inside the door!

 

(8) Usually he only got just one candy stick,

But sometimes he got two or three;

When someone else would buy some for him,

It made George happy as can be!

 

(9) The big glass jars were really tall

And could hold fifty or sixty sticks;

They were all the colors of the rainbow,

So George could take his pick!

 

(10) Reg was never in a big hurry,

As he learned all the local news;

Or when George was making up his mind,

On which colors he would choose!

 

(11) Reg would sit on a keg of nails

And on his face there would be a smile;

As George picked out his favorite colors,

Even though it might take quite a while!

 

(12) Green was the color George liked the best

And red cherry would be his second choice;

Sometimes Reg would make a suggestion,

As he spoke in a helpful voice!

 

(13) But he let George make the decision,

Of which color it was going to be;

This would be his choice of candy-sticks,

Whether it be lime-green or the red cherry!

 

(14) Well, George was really excited,

When the owner took off the jar-lids;

He could then reach in for his candy,

In that town he was the happiest kid!

 

(15) Then he would hand over his penny,

To pay for his candy-stick treat;

He could hardly wait to get it in his mouth,

It was the sweetest thing he could eat!

(16) Then George and Reg would sit outside,

On the old bench by the store;

And George would enjoy his candy-sticks,

How could anyone ask for more?

(17) Reg would fill up his favorite pipe,

With the tobacco that smelled so sweet;

And George would savor his lime-green candy,

It was the end of a perfect day treat!

 

(18) That evening as they travelled back to the farm,

There was a smile upon their faces;

They were having a nice ride in the old buckboard,

As the horse was pulling on the ‘traces’!

 

(19) George looked forward to the trips to town,

It was a regular weekly event;

When they would hitch up the horse and the buckboard

And then down the road to town they went!

 

(20) The days of the horse and buggy are now gone,

You don’t see them so much anymore;

But George will always remember those times

And the candy-sticks at the hardware store!

Bob Bartlett,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

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In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Maple Syrup Surprise

With Maple Syrup Season approaching fast thought maybe you would like a recipe which makes a drink come alive.  For those that enjoy a bit of spirit now and then, that is.

2 ounces bourbon
One teaspoon maple syrup (I like the darker grade)
3-4 dashes of bitters lemon or lime.
Finish off with a couple of small ice cubes.
The next step is to sit back in a quiet atmosphere and enjoy. I would think two of these would relax anyone.

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

Benefits Of A Beer Now & Then

 

Interesting maybe I should pick up a case of Bud.

A few Benefits of beer

1. Beer keeps your kidneys healthy A Finish study singled out beer among other alcoholic beverages, finding that it was better for your kidneys. In fact, each bottle of beer you drink reduces the risk of developing kidney stones by 40%.

2. Beer for better digestion Beer and especially dark beer contains up to one gram of soluble fibre* in each 30 cl glass – unlike wine, which doesn’t contain any fibre at all. Fibre plays an important role in intestinal transit (a fibre deficiency can cause gastric and intestinal disorders such as constipation or diarrhea).

3. Beer to lower your bad cholesterol The fibre in beer can also help reduce your levels of LDL cholesterol, i.e. the “bad” type of cholesterol.

4. Beer can increase your vitamin B levels Beer contains several B vitamins (B1, B2, B6 and B12). A Dutch study found that beer drinkers had 30 percent higher levels of vitamin B6 than their non-drinking counterparts, and levels that were twice as high as those of wine drinkers. Beer is also a generous source of vitamin B12, an anti-anemic factor not found in many foods.

5. Beer for stronger bones! A 2009 study concluded that the elevated levels of silicon in beer can contribute to higher bone density.

6. Beer as a cure for insomnia Lactoflavin and nicotinic acid, which are both in beer, can promote sleep!

7. Beer reduces your risk of a heart attack Beer drinkers have a 40 to 60 percent reduced risk of suffering a heart attack compared with non-beer drinkers.

8. Beer helps prevent blood clots The ingredients in beer help prevent blood clots from forming.

9. Beer boosts your memory According to studies, beer drinkers are less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia than non-beer drinkers.

10. Beer helps combat stress Researchers at the University of Montreal found that two glasses of beer a day can reduce work-related stress or anxiety.

11. Beer as a cold remedy Drinking warm beer is an excellent cold remedy! When barley is warmed up it improves blood circulation and helps you breathe when you feel congested. It also provides relief for joint pain and boosts your immunity. So, how do you prepare it? Heat a bottle of beer in a double boiler and then add four small teaspoons of honey.

12. Beer makes skin more beautiful Good news for women! Certain vitamins in beer can regenerate the skin and have a positive impact on pigmentation. Your skin becomes smoother and suppler.

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]

A Bit On Restaurants

Restaurants. Here is an place that I am sure that most of us stop at now and then.  Some more than others.  For myself I don’t get to eat out to much but every so often when I head into North Bay or down to see my other son in St Catharines we do enjoy a meal or two out.  Look forward to it.  I won’t mention any names here this morning as this blog isn’t meant to bring on pain to a person or business.  But after yesterday’s event I just had to say a few words.  First off I figure restaurants are like a cold or the flu.  If your sick you should stay home and not pass your sickness around.  At a restaurant if you can’t cook then you shouldn’t be passing food around as folks could get sick.  Anyways.  I had to have some tests done yesterday, had to fast and things and by the time I had this looked after my wife and I were starving. So we picked on an establishment that has been in business for a good many years.  Walking in music was playing and had a cozy feeling which we enjoy.  Ordered a simple meal with eggs over easy, two strips of bacon extra crispy, home fries with a touch of onions. They asked which kind of toast we would like and my wife said rye.  I myself took wheat.  Food came to the table and just by looking at it I knew right away we were in trouble.  First off the potatoes were so old they looked green and tasted even worse. Along with that they cooked them in lard or some kind of grease that tasted just terrible burned black almost.  Onions were half cooked and again covered with a type of grease that would choke a horse.  Toast was burned and no flavor.  Eggs were not cooked hardly at all covered with slime.  Then to top it off at the end of the meal which we didn’t eat they gave us a bill.  On the bill they even charged us an extra 49 cents for the rye bread the wife had.  Couldn’t believe it.  They did ask what we thought of the meal and me I just nodded.  Wrong move on my wife’s part as she said. “Would you really like the truth?”  They got it.  Nicely of course.  With that they didn’t offer to return our money and we left the meal sitting on the table pretty well as they served it.   Will we return.  Not even if I was starving which actually I was on that fine morning.  So thought I would share a bit of our day in North Bay Ontario.  My Opinion on the whole thing.  Folks if you can’t cook don’t open a restaurant.  The rest of the day was fine had a good time. GW

All my books are available on my Amazon Author Page.

If you purchase a book, a brief Amazon review really helps new readers discover my work—it means a lot.

Support my writing: Support My Writing

In Closing, I Would Like to Wish You Well!

George Walters | [email protected]