For The Love of of Aunt Rose 9

Peter and Aunt Rose were up early for breakfast. Maxine had made a nice lunch for four along with those delightful Easy One Bowl Fudgy Cocoa Brownies GrandFather loved so well.

Nolan and Mozzie arrived twenty minutes early. Peter and Aunt Rose were waiting on the porch for them.

After a bit of small talk they were off for the woods and up to the cabin.

The trek up looked magical. All that rain the day and night before brightened up the forest floor. In fact there was a mist off in the distance that caused an eerie scene. Aunt Rose got a lovely shot of the rays of the sun floating through a broken cloud to the floor of the forest directly onto a patch of wild violets.

Mozzie was fascinated at the enchanting smile on Rose's countenance. He noted her impenetrable eyes focused on the violets.

“ Let's get a little closer to the wild violets. I would pick some for Maxine to make jelly but she would never get around to it and they would die. My late wife would candy or sugar the violets. I do miss her violet cookies.” said Mozzie with misty eyes.

Rose seemed to ignore Mozzie as if he were not even there. She was focused at the center of the violet patch. Mozzie looked ahead and saw a movement directly in the center. Rose snapped rapidly. One could barely hear the shutter. She had that smile on her face again.

“Whatever did you see of Aunt Rose”? Peter asked. “Yes.” said Nolan.

“It looked like a dancing Pixie in the sunlight but in reality I think it was an Asian Chipmunk. I'll know when I look at the pictures tonight. Nolan you can watch me download. If the photo comes out nicely I give you a copy for GrandFather.” remarked Rose.

“I liked the poem about me you sent last night. Thank you very much.” said Nolan.

“Poem”? Asked GrandFather.

“Holding my Apple

Sitting on a stump

What can I do with

the fresh apple

If I bite into

the crisp flesh

juice will run

down my lips

and on my chin

I will wipe

those juices onto

my hands then

my jeans or shirt

I could chop the apple

into many small pieces

leaving on the skin

for delicious color

adding some raisins

dry cranberries

and walnuts for

a sweet crunch

If I go indoors

it could be cored

on the top half

then filled with raisins

and brown sugar

Yummy baked

If I really wanted

to stretch this apple

I could chop

then add maple syrup

just a Tablespoon

Make a pie crust

then divide by four

and wrap the

Apple Dumplings

I would share

by ~ Aunt Rose”

Nolan proudly recited.

Grandfather smiled. “Please leave your footwear on but wipe on the mat before we enter. Nolan knows the routine because he helps me keep the cabin tidy for Mrs. Peabody.”

Grandfather went slowly from room to room explaining how the cabin had been built with no electric or gas powered tools. He even flipped over small area rugs to show the floors. The beams above also had been fell by the old fashioned tools.

“Fifty years ago Mr Peabody's grandson had it wired for electricity. When the Peabody's lived here they had all modern fixtures installed but still kept the charm of the original cabin. This rug in front of the old style sofa was actually made by Mrs Peabody. She used her husband's worn suits to fashion the unusual rag rug. The red trim was Mr Peabody's red wool Santa Suit. When he passed away Mrs Peabody said his Santa Suit would not be worn by any other.” said a smiling Mozzie. He went on speaking of the few paintings on the walls of tiny pixies in various scenes. Mozzie supplied the knowledge of the Pixilated cabin well.

“These are all watercolors by Mrs Peabody. Her family swears she went mad when Mr Peabody passed. She was ninety- eight when her family came up here and took her to live with a granddaughter in Pasadena. I visit her every four months. I tell her about her cabin and bring her photos.

I also inform her of visitors. Nolan accompanies me sometimes.” said Mozzie.

“I will email you the next time we come. Maybe we can meet you for lunch.” blurted out Nolan.

“Nolan. We do not want to be a pest,” said Grandfather.

Aunt Rose smiled saying: “If we know the date you will arrive I'm sure Kitty and Gordon would love to meet you both. I will show you the herb garden I have created.

There is a place in the back Kitty and I have tea in the shade almost every day.”

That night when Mozzie went to sleep he had a wonderful smile on his face and in his heart.