Summer activities end
By MARCELLA BRUCE
Contributing writer
The calendar indicates the arrival of fall, but Mom Nature is a mite slow in recognizing it! Cooler nights indicate that the season is 'just around the corner," and I, for one, am ready to put away my shorts and short-sleeve shirts (sleeveless ones have been missing from my wardrobe for years) and ready to put on long pants and sweaters. Let's wait awhile however to add coats and boots as well as sleet, ice, and snow.
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It's an anniversary. Just a year ago on Sept. 11, 2001, the most devastating terrorist attack in these United States took place. More than 3,000 people died.
As the anniversary approached, we read about and watched the still-sorrowing widows and children, parents and siblings, co-workers and friends as they were reminded of their loss and the unbelievable heartbreak and tragedy wreaked.
There is also being exhibited the courage and strength of the human spirit with faith in the future.
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Summertime 2002 has been a happy time at this Bruce household. Trips to Pratt for visiting Skip and Lois and their live-in animals, Buddy and Bandit; a trip to Haven for a cousins' 50th anniversary; one to Manhattan for a special Bud Bruce Golf Tournament; another to Cottonwood Falls for a reunion with dear newspaper friends; and the special one with family for a week in New Mexico.
In addition, it's been great to have Marcia and Glenn, as visitors from Florida, drop in for numerous visits between their other traveling during July, August, and September. They will head for home this weekend but not before we celebrate a surprise birthday get-together for son Skip on his BIG one!
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An adult bear visit surprised Marcia and Glenn and other family and friends as they were packing cars getting ready to leave the cabin in New Mexico after a second week visit. Glenn says you can't imagine how fast they moved back into the cabin, as the "big fella" went from front to back and stayed around for about 20 minutes. Of course, they threw bread and other food from the safety of the upper deck
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This message unfolded after I recently worked the "Word Finder" puzzle in Modern Maturity magazine: "I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back." Guess who? Zsa Zsa Gabor!
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A "quickie" recipe that is low-cal and delicious: Banana Pie. It calls for a ready-made graham cracker crust; two small packages of fat-free, sugar free vanilla instant pudding mix, 1 2/3 cup milk ( I used skim). Add half of an 8-ounce carton of fat-free whipped topping. Whisk the mixture for one minute and add two bananas sliced. Pour onto pie shell and top with remainder of whipped topping. Refrigerate several hours before serving.