YEAR 4 - SUM/12/TUE
SUNNY
6:00AM
I keep expecting rain but the Harvest Goddess (does she even control the weather?) must love the sun.
6:20PM
I took Dog to the beach to practice with the disk and Kai joined us. Not much to say. It was just a peaceful practice session.
YEAR 4 - SUM/16/SAT
SUNNY
1:40PM
Finally got to stop by Anna's for another lesson. Today was cookies. I already knew how to make them but she said we could add honey. So this is the new recipe:
Anna Inspired Cookies:
Ing: Egg, Flour, (opt. Butter, Honey, Chocolate)
Utn: Rolling Pin, Oven, Seasoning [sugar]
Also, I tried to make spaghetti yesterday after trying Kai's. I really want to surprise him with my own recipe instead of asking for it. It's very difficult to make.
YEAR 4 - SUM/19/SUN
SUNNY
6:00AM
The 17th was Ann's birthday and we had a small party in her room. Just me and Ann. Her dad made us pancakes with strawberries and we were eating them on her bed. While we were eating, she thanked me for the flower broach I got her and asked, "You know what'd be the perfect gift?" And I asked, "What?" and she said, "You finely tellin me bout what's goin on wit Cliff."
I didn't reply immediately but after a moment I said, "For a while...I was thinking about, you know, marrying him...but...now...I realize I'm not in love with him."
"Aaaah. I hadda feelin." A pause. "Does Cliff know?"
I nodded. "I told him a year ago. But I think he's hoping I change my mind."
"Mmhm. Mmhm." She clanged her fork against her plate. "Thanks for tellin me. Finely. I hope you know you can tell me what's going on wit you."
"I know, Ann. It's just...I wasn't sure what you'd think."
"Huh? What kinda best friend do you think I am?"
It's weird but until she said that, I didn't know we were best friends. I really do love Ann but I guess sometimes you don't realize something until someone tells you directly.
"I'm sorry."
A pause. "It's okay. I know sometimes there are things you can't tell even your best friend. Or family. But...well, you know I didn't know Elli was getting married until the day of the wedding? And I didn't know Mary got married until the day after her wedding? I found out just cause Basil randomly mentioned it…" Ann continued and shook her head. "But that's something I can get over. Just promise me you'll be a friend and let me know ahead of time for things like that?"
"I promise. Really."
"Good."
A pause. And a mouthful of cake. "Hey...there's something else I should tell you."
"Yeah? What?"
I took a deep breath and finally told her about Won.
YEAR 4-SUM/20/WED [Cow Festival]
SUNNY
6:00AM
Ann suggested that I don't give gifts to either Cliff or Won ("Especially if the gift is a secret love message in a bottle!" She added.)
So no more lunches or ores. Just hi's, how are you's, and goodbyes.
8:00PM
Bess won the festival!
"Shining coat and perfect health!" Barely said before giving Bess a blue ribbon.
The ribbon is blessed, I heard, by the Harvest Goddess. And from now on, Bess's milk will be of a higher quality. Doctor asked me to bring him some if I could.
Congrats, Bess! I love you!
YEAR 4 - SUM/21/THU
SUNNY
7:20PM
"I like how a cow festival and chicken sumo contest remind me I'm in Mineral Town," Kai commented.
"Do you forget?"
"Nah. Nah. I meant...that Mineral Town has it's own charm. There are other places I've been to that are country-like but Mineral Town is Mineral Town."
"Ah."
I went to have a snow cone at Kai's place (after buying pink cat flower seeds from Won). The cafe was empty as it usually is and the sounds of the waves coming and leaving the shore were outside.
It was that comfortable silence again and I was sitting at one of the tables across from him. Then suddenly, he asked, "Tammie...do you plan on staying here forever?"
"Huh?" It took me off guard, hearing that question. But then I recalled talking to Elli and realizing that I loved being a farmer. If I can't imagine myself not being one, doesn't that mean the same thing as not ever leaving Mineral Town?
"Sorry, just curious."
"It's okay. I've kinda been asked this before. And...I...do think I'll stay here forever."
He just looked at me for moment before nodding. Then he replied, "Ah."
"That's it? C'mon, what?"
He shrugged. "It's just...interesting. To hear that from a former city girl. And...lately...I dunno...well, actually I do. It's just that...you know...there are a lot of cool places out there besides here, right? I've seen a lot of them. Are you okay with just hearing about them from me and other people instead of going there yourself? Experiencing it first hand? That newness?" A pause. "You know that feeling you got when you first got to Mineral Town? That excited uncertainty? How it swells inside you when you take in all the new things you see? And hear and touch and smell and taste?"
I nodded. He made me think of when I got my first horse and milked a cow for the first time. And meeting Ann, Cliff, and Won. All those once new thing that have become common to me now.
"I know what you mean but...what are you-"
"Ah, nothing. Sorry for going on like that. I think I'm getting a sugar high from this cherry ice."
I didn't think so. But I left it alone and waited for the comfortable silence to return.
But it never did. For me anyway. I decided to leave a little earlier than I planned and got back to my farm.