This summer I discovered my neighbor Wes not only is a story teller
but a rhubarb cutter inventor.

Earlier this summer, when visiting the Smiths, the guests were served
three kinds of bars…two of them rhubarb. Rosemary even gave each
of the visitors printed out recipes from the North Dakota Rural
Electric magazine! Each of the guests sampled and chose their
favorite of the bars. Many couldn’t decide. I pretty much stuck to
eating the same kind….three of them. I thought, “Why get my taste
buds confused when the first one is perfection! ” Over the past 25
years, I have become a reluctant cook, I think after today the baker
in me may be emerging again and trying R.’s recipe..

In my yard among the crab apple trees there are four ruby red
rhubarb plants. Which I myself have never used. I just give it
away, as I am a rather clumsy cutter upper. The past few summers
my Schneider friends would take it,then turn around and give me jam.
Last year,I told Mrs. Wes about my mom’s recipe for my favorite
Rhubarb-Apricot marmalade which she made. Ah yes, mom’s comfort jam!

In June, while in Scotland I enjoyed scones with clotted cream and
jam. Recently, I find myself rather “fancyng” scones and even
checking out recipes on line. Yesterday as I listened to Garrison
Keeler’s Prairie Home companion “Be bop a boo bop Rhubarb pie”. Hmm.
“Perhaps scones with clotted creme with rhubarb jam.?”

On a mission,I went over and asked my neighbors if i could borrow
their rhubarb cutter. He and Mrs Wes bettered me, they gave me my
very own! In a short time this afternoon I cut up eight cups of
ruby red rhubarb. Lickety split! As I effortlessly cut. I thought
Oh Bless you Wes You genus!
Have a great week every one fall is a coming! Vickie