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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer August 21, 2006- - No. 76 |
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Back in June, Grandma had her 90th birthday. She keeps pretty close to home now that she is not so young anymore. She likes to get out on the East porch when the weather is just right. She'll sit there in the shade of that young peach tree that grew up from seed. It's branches hang over the side of the porch just right, to keep out of the midday sun. That old lady has spent a lot of hours out there in that old weathered lawn chair of hers. Her white cat "Angel" often snoozes on her lap with her.
Grandma's old eyes don't see so good anymore, had to give up driving her pickup truck a few years ago. She still keeps it there in the garage though, "just in case!" Ask her why she doesn't wear her glasses; she will tell you that she can see just as well without those things these days. During her long life she has pretty much avoided doctors and their medications. Never liked taking pills of any kind. Now, however; she does take a couple of those dreaded things everyday. Doesn't like it either, and she'll tell you so.
More than sixty years ago Grandma moved onto the farm there along State Road, when she married Grandpa. She lives alone now in the big old farm house. It's a lot quieter around there than it use to be. Grandpa passed away several years ago. Two of here three sons live on their own farms not far off. They keep an eye on her, she keeps an even better eye on them. The third boy moved out to Southern California, he and his wife call her on the phone often. They're coming for a six week stay with Grandma come the middle of August.
The peach tree by the porch grows taller and older. Grandma Fran grows older and gets a little shorter each season. She says that she is "not an old lady and never intends to be." She'll be eating the fruit from those branches overhanging the porch for more years to come - for sure! |
