First of all Delbert finally had his surgery this past Thursday that had been postponed three times. The surgery went well. He is doing pretty good, but very weak. I have to wait on him hand and foot.

It has been another busy week here on the farm. Friday was a busy day. I went grocery shopping in forenoon. Started home and was held up for 30 minutes due to an auto accident in front of Joe’s Tire there in New Martinsville. Finally made it home. That afternoon I manicured the yard. Planted flowers and trimmed the yard. Our son Ron was a big help. He trimmed along the road and under the high tensile fence. He mowed the barn lot and the strip of meadow between the road and the pipeline to help make the farm look little better as the pipeline men have our farm all tore up from one end to the other.

I had a little excitement here the other night. I got up to bathroom and I saw a vehicle come up and stop down here where the pipeline equipment is parked. They got out with flashlights and went up around the equipment. I thought they are stealing fuel. I got my high powered spotlight and shined it right on them. They went back to their vehicle. I kept the spotlight right on them. They finally started on up Don’s driveway and slid over bank. I called Don. He came down and checked them out. He told them they were on a private drive. They finally managed to get out and headed back down the road. Never a dull moment around here.

Two months ago I started planning a surprise 90th birthday party for Delbert to be on Saturday the 28th with dinner at 12:30 PM. Invitations to family only. When the doctors office called last week telling me that he had Delbert scheduled for surgery on Thursday the 26th. I about had a heart attack thinking what if something goes wrong and he will be kept in the hospital or will he be to weak to visit with everyone. The party went well even though it rained till noon that day, but around noon the sky cleared, the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful day. We had a wonderful party with lots of good food, he received several wonderful gifts and a mixture of cards, some funny, some beautiful and some very meaningful cards. Kenny and Melisa Smith drove in from Alabama. That was a real surprise, The Delbert’s niece Susan Exline flew in from Florida and that was another real surprise. Delbert’s sister Sharon Keller and her husband Joe flew in from Nevada. Our granddaughter Rebecca and her husband Steve and two children Lili and Emmett drove in from Alabama. His niece Brenda Gilbert and her brother Jim drove up from Sistersville, WV. My niece Carol Sue Fouse from Mineral Wells, WV, our grandson Ben and his wife Laura and their son Reed from Marietta Ohio, and Ben’s friend BJ from New York, Delbert’s niece Donna Sue Weekley and her husband Larry from Vienna, WV, His niece Lori Cochran and her husband Danny from Middlebourne, WV, his nephew Rodney Rush, nephew Allen Rush and his two sons Fred and Chris all from New Martinsville, WV, Our son Don and his wife Joyce, our son Ron and his wife Teresa. Delbert was completely surprised. We all had a wonderful time. He set out on the porch in his wheel chair for a couple of hours to visit with everyone. His sister Sharon and her husband Joe were the last to leave around 8 PM. Everyone had a good time visiting, reminiscing and taking pictures. Delbert was very tired that evening. He went to bed 8:30 PM and slept for 12 hours.

Sunday after church our granddaughter Rebecca called to tell me that she was bringing chicken and rolls for lunch. Rebecca, Steve, Lili and Emmett Smith, Kenny and Melisa Smith, Delbert and I all had lunch together. That was a nice surprise. Then Kenny and Melisa headed back for Alabama.

We want to âThankã Joan Lucas and Ken Ice for the cute get well card they sent Delbert. When a person is feeling so bad a card sure is a pick me upper.

Delbert wants to “Thank” Jerry and Jackie Brown for the beautiful birthday card and the wonderful gift card. What a nice surprise and so thoughtful. He wants to “Thank” David and Shelly Maxwell and Smoke and Betty Jochum for the beautiful birthday cards. I hope he gets 90 cards for his 90th birthday.

I want to send “Happy Birthday Wishes” to: Carolyn Landis and Diane Mason on June 1st; A special “Happy Birthday” to my husband Delbert who has reached a wonderful milestone in his life as he will be 90 years young on June 1st; Bob Smith, Kim Starkey and Jan Surface on June 2nd; Charles Larue has reached a wonderful milestone in his life as he will be 90 years young on June 2nd; Kelly Williams on June 3rd; Patty Soliday on June 4th; Susan Essof, Shirley Ice and Elizabeth Mullett on June 5th; Dan Williamson on June 6th and Coy Moffitt II on June 7th. I hope you all have a wonderful birthday and many, many more birthdays.

My husband Delbert will be 90 years old today, June 1st. I think it would be great if he receives 90 birthday cards. He has received 13 cards so far. If you would like to send him a card, his address is 2305 Dry Run Road, Sistersville, WV 26175.

I want to send “Happy Anniversary” to Rick and Starla Gaiser who will be celebrating their 48th anniversary on June 2nd; Shane and Michelle Smith who will be celebrating their 21st anniversary on June 2nd; Kenny and Patricia Thomas who will be celebrating their 32nd anniversary on June 2nd; Lewis and Karen Vandergrift who will be celebrating their 49th anniversary on June 2nd; Kirk and Diane Shepherd who will be celebrating their 33rd anniversary on June 3rd; Steve and Beth Roberts who will be celebrating their 24th anniversary on June 6th; Nile and Julia Archer who will be celebrating their 30th anniversary on June 7th; Robert and Ginger Nalley who will be celebrating their 58th anniversary on June 7th; Paul and Joann Williamson who will be celebrating their anniversary on June 7th. I hope you all have a wonderful anniversary and many, many more anniversaries.

I want to send â Get Well Wishesã to: Alvin Amos, Francis Billiter, Bob Burrow, Donna Boggs, Linda Bogner, Shelba Buck, Tom Carson, Carolyn Coleman, Jean Collins, Earl J Collins, Peggy Conner, Barbara Cooper, Junior Cooper, Iris Drain, Kenny Drain, Chuck Eddy, Kathy Fisher, Joyce Gerber, Leroy Glover, Donald Grimes, Sybil Gorby, Erica Hall, Roger and Sara Hall, William Hartwell, Doris Haught, Rick Hendershot, Beverly Henderson, Donnie Henthorn, David Howard, Harold Ice, Jean Keith, Karen Lancaster, Judy Light, Larry Lynch, Darlene Melott, Martha Michaels, Garnet Midcap, Joe Miller, Neven Moffitt, Jack Pancake, Nancy Rexroad, Florence Schmidt, Mike Sine, Mary Lou Smith, Lindsay Snider, to my niece Sara Stone who is quarantined with the Covid 19.Susan Stoneking,Erik Stomberg, Paul Thomas, Alicia Thomas who fell and broke her leg, Connie Vincent and my husband Delbert Rush who had surgery this past Thursday and to everyone in the hospital, or waiting for surgery, recovering from surgery, waiting for test results, having therapy, getting chemo or Radiation and to everyone who is still dealing with this Covid 19. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

I want to send “Deepest Sympathy” to the family and friends of Crystalee Estlack and to the family and friends of Virginia Riffle. Her son Ethan and his wife Marsha are our next door neighbors. They are wonderful neighbors. Ready to help if called.

Now for the good part of this column. The “Recipe Section” lets see what we are going to make this week. First recipe is Chicken Casserole. Second recipe is Rhubarb Cake. Third recipe is Peanut Butter Pie. Forth recipe is Fresh Strawberry Pie.

CHICKEN CASSEROLE

2 bunches broccoli

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup butter [melted]

2 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup light cream

3 tablespoons sherry

1/2 teaspoon salt

pepper to taste

3 cups chicken breast [cooked and sliced]

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Cook broccoli in boiling water in saucepan until tender; drain. In a skillet blend flour into butter. Stir in broth. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in cream, sherry and seasonings. Layer broccoli, half the sauce and the chicken in a 9X13 inch baking dish. Spread mixture of remaining sauce and half the cheese over chicken. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Broil until golden brown. Serves 8.

RHUBARB CAKE

1/2 cup margarine [softened]

1 1/2 cups brown sugar [packed]

1 egg

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups rhubarb [cut in 1 inch pieces]

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

In mixing bowl cream margarine and brown sugar. Add egg and beat well. Add dry ingredients alternately with milk. Mix well. Stir in vanilla and rhubarb. Spoon into a greased and floured 9X13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until cake tests done.

PEANUT BUTTER PIE

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 cup confectioners sugar

1-3 ounce package cream cheese [softened]

1 small tub Cool Whip

1 baked 9 inch pie shell

In a bowl blend peanut butter, confectioners sugar and cream cheese until creamy. Fold in Cool Whip gradually. Spoon into pie shell. Chill in refrigerator.

FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE

1 quart strawberries

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup cold water

1 baked 9 inch pie shell

Cool whip

In a saucepan mash half the strawberries with sugar. Blend cornstarch with water. Stir into strawberry mixture. Cook over low heat until thick, stirring constantly. Slice remaining strawberries in half. Fold berries into filling mixture. Spoon into pie shell. Chill in refrigerator. Serve with a dollop of Cool Whip.

I hope you enjoy my recipes. I love hearing from all you people out there. Thank you for all your wonderful compliments about my column. You all are really great. Until next week, God Bless, take care and live each day to the fullest.

Betty Ruth Rush

June 1, 2022