The rain was coming down, and lightning started when I hit Nippenose. I vividly remember this because I finally knew exactly where I was. I knew the Nippenose area very well. Years ago, the Nippenose Tavern was one of my favorite places to eat. My grandparents took me there for birthdays, and we would ride over the mountain just to eat there because I loved their BLTs and enjoyed seeing the little old lady who used to play piano there.
Guess what? I am 39 years old, and the Nippenose Tavern is still my favorite place to eat! Oh, my goodness, I love it there. The waitresses are wonderful, and the owner, Ray Smith, truly has run an incredible business. Hands down, best wings, ever. Amazing atmosphere and food. My favorite hands down, no questions asked.
As I was traveling on Route 654, I remembered how cold I was. This wasn’t summer rain. This was a very cold spring rain. I honestly should have found a place to pull off, but there wasn’t shelter anywhere. I just had my head set on getting to my grandparents. I took my time getting there because this was the first time I ever experienced rain on the bike. The wind was making it hard, too. I kept praying, “Lord, please get me to Gram and Pap’s safely.” The mountain was the trickiest part, but once I got out to Duboistown, I knew I was on the home stretch.
When I reached Southside, I couldn’t feel my toes. They were frozen. Even though I had boots on, it didn’t matter. The water ran in them like I had just jumped into the Susquehanna. I pulled into the alley to see Pap and Gram and noticed Pap already had their shed door ready for me to pull in. It was so dark out that I could see the lights turned on in the kitchen and Gram peeking her head out of the window on the porch. I am sure she was about a nervous wreck until I got home.
My clothes clung to me as I parked the bike in the shed. I put the kickstand down and slowly swung my heavy leg over that was completely waterlogged. Ugh. Wet jeans! That’s the worst feeling ever. I don’t think I had a dry spot on me. I waddled like a penguin, cold and mentally exhausted from that scary ride home. Pap and Gram, both met me at the door. Grammy had dry towels ready to go. Pap made sure I was OK and then went into the living room so Grammy could start stripping me down right there in the kitchen. I felt bad getting her floors all wet, but she didn’t care at all.
As she pulled my boots off (I vividly remember this part), she said, “Let’s get you upstairs and into a warm bath so you can warm up.”
Once I was down to the bare minimum, we walked upstairs, and Grammy drew me a warm bath. I lay in the tub for quite some time until I could feel all my limbs again. I was at peace knowing I was home safe and at Pap and Gram’s house. Their house was my safe haven. Grammy was one of my best friends. I could tell her anything, and we did everything together. At this point in my life, life wasn’t easy. I had so much going on emotionally and physically. But at Gram and Pap’s, that all seemed to go away.
Grammy brought me in dry clothes for when I got out of the tub, as she was working on drying all my waterlogged clothes, which would take at least two hours to dry.
Warmed up and in dry clothes, I headed downstairs to join Pap and Gram around the kitchen table. They always ate dinner early, and it was getting to be about dinner time. I don’t remember what we had that night, but I know I ate with them. They always watched Judge Judy around 4-4:30 p.m., then ate dinner.
I just love how vividly I remember that night. Who would’ve ever thought that a scary situation would turn into one of those bittersweet memories? Pap was staying cool, calm, and collected, trying to get me home safely, while Grammy was a nervous wreck until I was home. I remember how well she took care of me, stripping off my soaked, wet clothes and not worrying about her floors. Running a warm bath as any mother would do and preparing a hot meal and dry clothes.
Now, unfortunately, I missed writing for Mother’s Day. I am so sorry. We write beforehand, and sometimes a holiday can sneak up on me before I realize it. But I love how I can wrap this story into Mother’s Day. A grandmother, of course, is a mother, and besides your momma, a grandmother is like having that other mother. A woman who loves you no matter what you do. A woman who will forever worry about you, regardless of age. A woman who will always feed her babies, no matter the circumstances. Like my momma, she always puts forth that effort to get her kids together, even when we struggle to get a day for us all to be together. She always prioritizes her kids and calls to check in on her kids and grandkids. It’s a blessing to have a momma who loves and cares for you, and another blessing if you have grandmothers.
After picking Kenzy up for soccer that night, we got home just in time on the bike. I had no sooner pulled the bike in our garage, and about ten minutes later, the wind picked up so quickly that it made our dinner bell ring that stands tall in the middle of the yard. Phew. When that rings on its own, you know the wind is strong. Was it worth the ride that night to Rose Valley? Absolutely. Was it worth the ride to Loganton all those years ago, and getting lost? Sure was. Something I’ll never forget. Loganton ride has a special meaning to me, so much so that it’s tattooed on me. This can be something I can share around Father’s Day. But for now, I hope all you mothers and grandmothers had a very special day because you all deserve it.
Fruit Pizza (In light of one of my favorite weekends, Memorial Day!)
Ingredients:
You can use Pillsbury sugar cookie dough OR make it this way…….
Crust:
• 1 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1 cup 10 X sugar
• 3 cup flour
Beat together until well mixed. Spread on cookie sheet. Bake at 325° for 30 minutes.
You can use Philadelphia No Bake Cheesecake Filling OR make it this way.
Crust Topping:
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup 10 X sugar
• 1 tsp. Vanilla
• 1 tsp. Lemon juice
Beat together and spread on the cooled crust. Lay fruit on top.
Glaze:
1 cup pineapple juice (or other fruit juice)
2 Tbsp cornstarch
¾ cup sugar
Cook until thick and bubbly. Continue to cook for one minute. COOL, then pour over the fruit.
Fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
