Honor Our Soldiers - For you Tomy

The state of Montana is often called the biggest little town ever.  Geographically, the state’s size is almost equivalent to California; however, the population stands at 989,000.  Compare that to the 3.1 million people living in San Diego County alone!   Even with the massive size of this state, the meager population allows everyone to know each other through some connection or another.  

Having no professional ball teams, Montana’s fans flock to the two state universities for an always exciting rivalry game.  If not college ball, there are always high school sports. 

                                                                                                  

Our kids travel by bus throughout the state for different athletic competitions.  This gives the children and parents the opportunity to meet other Montanans multiple times within a school year.

Okay, what does this have to do with Tomy?  Tomy is a 21 year old boy who graduated with Russell.  His extended family and friends are spread throughout the state.  In high school Tomy was involved in football and wrestling.  His family is very well known and respected.  They own the local bowling alley where my league is held every Tuesday. 

Russ being in the middle of his junior year when we moved here, I didn’t get to really know Tomy until he was a senior.  I became friendly with his mother Lisa, as we would often chat about the boys and their adventures.  After graduation, Tomy came home with the news that he enlisted in the Marines.  He couldn’t wait to finally leave this small town and have the opportunity to explore the vast world.  Every Tuesday his mother would keep us all abreast of his travels.  When he’d come home on leave, it was always fun to visit with him.  He matured into such a nice, polite young man.

Tomy was thrilled when he learned he’d be stationed in Oceanside, CA.  Lisa and I would chat about all the different things to do in the San Diego area.  Then, Tomy got his orders.  He was to be deployed in September, in just three months, to Afghanistan.  Much conversation and many tears were shed over the unknown.  Russ at this time had just joined the Army Officer’s Training program through his university.  Proud as I am, unfortunately now I could relate. 

As the end of the three months speedily crept up, Tomy came home to say good bye again.  He left with memories of parties and many well wishes.  Lisa was able to spend the last week before his deployment with him in San Diego.           

We continued to get our weekly reports on how and what he was doing in Afghanistan.  She’d relay stories of sleepless nights and again, the unknown.   I quickly relayed these stories of angst to Russ so he could start feeling sufficiently guilty over his life decisions.  I could barely make it through wrestling season!  How am I ever to endure my child’s participation in the army?

Two months later one Saturday morning, while the bowling alley was very busy, the phone rang.  Not recognizing the number, Lisa let it go unanswered.  At noon a second call came from the same number.   This time she picked up.

It was the Marines notifying her that earlier that morning while Tomy was on patrol with his platoon in search of buried land mines, he had stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device).  By the grace of god, he was still alive.  I’m not sure how Lisa made it through the day!

That evening, her daughter starred in the middle school play “The Wizard of Oz” with Chloe.  It wasn’t until after the play in the dressing room we heard what had happened.  I spotted Lisa in the parking lot and all we did was cry and hold each other for several minutes.  At that time, all we knew was that he lost both legs, his partial left arm (he’s left handed), incurred damage to one eye and he had a great deal of shrapnel that needed removed, but he was still alive. The news of what had happened to Tomy spread through the state like wild fire!

He was flown from Afghanistan to Germany where he had both legs amputated and his partial left hand.  The surgeons were able to save his thumb.  They removed several fragments of shrapnel and fortunately his eye was never injured.  A nurse from Montana was working at the same German hospital and had heard he was there.  She visited Tomy and gave him a Montanan donated blanket with her signature.  This way he had a little bit of home across the world.

We learned that two days prior to Tomy’s accident, he was on patrol with his platoon when two of his comrades stepped on an IED.  Being blown against a rock during the explosion, he quickly regained awareness.  The medic was unconscious and unable to assist.  Tomy deftly put tourniquets on both boys severed limbs and radioed for help.  He is credited for saving both of their lives!  What a strong man it takes to endure this experience and then return to work knowing and experiencing personally all the permanent hazards!

Within the week, Tomy was transferred to Bethesda, MD where his family was anxiously waiting.  It was there, he was awarded the Purple Heart.  His roommate was one of the two men he’d saved.  Regrettably, the other man developed an infection in his severed limb and passed away while in the ICU.  This was almost unbearable for all the mothers.   

Back at home across the state, signs of support for Tomy and his family popped up EVERYWHERE!  Billboards, newspaper articles, radio interviews and advertising store signs all state “Pray for our Hero, Tomy.”  A face book page; Keeping the FAITH for Tomy Parker, has been established.  There are 2218 members!  I have never experienced such community support for one person. 

There is a country song by Lambert Miranda titled “Famous in a Small Town.”  The lyrics represent Montana more than anything I could ever express. 

Tomy has now been transferred back to San Diego where his rehab can begin.  The Marines gave him a week of leave so he can come home and attend a benefit on his behalf to raise funds to help in his recovery.

When news of his impending arrival was heard, the local towns went wild with preparations.  His plane arrived a week ago Wednesday evening during one of our usual snow storms to the Missoula airport.  The temperature was in the single digits.  The airport was FLOODED with people to welcome Tomy home.  Many were strangers.  No parking was available and there was standing room only!  At 10 pm his motorcade of 454 cars began the 71 mile trek to Polson, MT.  With heavy snow falling, police cars and fire engines with their sirens blaring, cars sporting flapping American flags from windows, vans and buses with banners snapping in the wind, led the way.  Tomy was overwhelmed to say the least and cried for the first time.

Families lined the roads.  Children were kept from bed to see Tomy’s arrival and to wave their poster they had made in school.  Soldiers and Vets were standing at honor with flags as the motorcade passed through their towns.  Bands played and fireworks burst above while people cheered and waved flags.  Tomy was not the only one to cry! 

Then came his benefit!

 What an eye opening experience for a MT newbie.  Approaching the community hall where the twelve hour event was being held, we were greeted with an enormous American flag proudly flying, hoisted from a crane.  All I know is that at sunset, it took 18 men to fold and carry the flag after being lowered.  They had a spaghetti dinner ready to feed over 2,500 people.  Three barns were filled with donated items for a silent auction.  A touching and very sentimental presentation was made where Kleenex’s were even donated.  This was all followed by a live auction and then capping the evening, was a concert.  Throughout the entire twelve hours, this large hall was again standing room only!  From his wheel chair, Tomy greeted EVERYONE in line waiting to speak with him.  His stamina is amazing.  The amount of money raised has not yet been disclosed. 

Still overwhelmed and amazed from the community support, Tomy made a wonderful humble speech.  The first thing he said is “I’m glad to be from such a small town!”  When he stated that he is even more popular than the president here, everyone stood and cheered with Kleenex in hand. 

The personal sacrifice he made for our country’s freedom is greatly respected and appreciated.  God bless our brave soldiers and keep them safe!

I wanted to follow this blog with a favorite recipe of Tomy’s.  His favorite food is spaghetti.  Not wanting to write a recipe for spaghetti, I went with his favorite desert - Cheesecake.  Lisa, not having her recipes available in San Diego, I went with my ALL-TIME favorite company pleaser.  Tomy, I hope you like it! 

Chocolate Chambord Cheesecake

Serves 12

4 tablespoons Butter

2 cups crushed Oreo crumbs

2 pounds Cream Cheese (4 packages)

¾ cup Sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla

3 Eggs

12 ounces of Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

1 cup Sour Cream

3 tablespoons of Chambord Liquor

½ teaspoon of Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325*

Butter 9 inch spring form pan.  Melt butter and toss with crumbs.  Press crumb mixture on bottom and sides of pan.  Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth.  Add eggs one at a time.  Add melted chocolate and mix.  Add sour cream, Chambord and cinnamon.

Pour mixture into shell.  Bake one hour or until center is firm.  Cool completely, then chill.  Can make one day ahead. 

Garnish with either red raspberries and whip cream or top with ganache.

Ganache Recipe:  Boil 12 ounces of heavy whipping cream.  Chop 12 ounces of chocolate in processor.  While chocolate is spinning, slowly pour in hot cream.  Blend until smooth, cool.  Pour over top of cake and sides.  Garnish with red raspberries.

Christine, Our Lawn Tractor

Living on sixteen acres, one of our first purchases was a lawn tractor.  It’s really just a glorified riding lawn mower with a higher price tag.  We bought it from our neighborhood Ace Hardware Store with a five year warranty.

After we had only used the mower for two months we noticed the blade was not cutting the grass evenly.  Dwynn and the boys hoisted the mower up to see if they could figure out what was wrong and make the repair themselves.  No such luck, we had to call Ace.  They sent a repair man with a truck and trailer to retrieve it.  The young man grabs two 18” wide folding steel ramps and lines them up with his flatbed trailer.  His intention is to ride the tractor up onto the truck which is about three feet high.  It didn’t look like a secure solution and being the nervous ninny I am, I expressed my concern.  He assured me, he does this multiple times a day and its fine – He’s a country boy.  I assured him that I couldn’t catch him! 

As he rides the tractor up, my eyes are barely open with my head turned.  I hear him stop, open my eyes and he’s stuck dangling from then edge of the truck.  After he wiggles for a couple of seconds, one of the ramps give way, he falls off and the tractor falls on top of him!  Being a country boy, he pushes it off and says “Wholly Cow, that’s never happened before.”  I explained that’s because he’s never been here before!  He arranged to come back the next day with a different type of trailer and an assistant.  I arranged NOT to be home.

Ace delivered the repaired tractor a couple of weeks later.  Within two months, the tractor broke again.  When making my appointment for the repair, I explained on the telephone what transpired the first time, but they already remembered. 

This time Ace sent an older gentleman in his late 60’s.  He returns with the same original flatbed truck and the same ramps!  While he aligned the ramps up on our stone driveway, I quickly warned him and spoke of our last experience.  He ASSURED me, “that kid didn’t know what he was doing.”  He’s done this for forty years and I have nothing to worry about – He’s a farmer. 

As he rides the tractor up, my eyes are barely open with my head turned.  I hear him stop, open my eyes and he’s stuck dangling from the edge of the truck!  He says “Oh Boy, that’s never happened before.”  I explained that’s because he’s never been here before.  He wiggles for a couple of seconds, one of the ramps give way, he falls off and the tractor falls on top of him!  I quickly help him free and wipe off all the stones stuck into his arm.  This man happened to be on blood thinners so his arm started spurting blood everywhere like a pin cushion.  As I was trying to not throw-up, which now we all know I do when nervous, he assured me he was fine, got a red rag from his truck and left.  I’m still not sure if the rag was originally red or not!

Since we don’t burn our pasture, we need to mow with our undependable tractor mower.  The next spring, we drive it out of the barn to cut the new spring grass.  Sure enough, the tractor is broken AGAIN!  When I called Ace to set up an appointment, I told them I would definitely not be home when they came and to NOT bring the same kind of trailer.  They guaranteed me they would bring the low bed this time and I could be home.  Been there, done that –twice, I was not going to be here!

When I arrived home the afternoon of the appointment, I noticed the tractor was still here.  I called Ace to see what had happened this time.  They said they came and picked it up with no problems.   YES, they stole the neighbor’s tractor instead!  We’ve decided to name our tractor “Christine.”

This recipe is an ALL time favorite of everyone’s!  I am always asked for this recipe whenever I serve it.  It’s so easy, I’m embarrassed!

GOLDEN CARROT SOUFFLE

SERVES 4

1 pound Carrots

½ cup melted Margarine

3 Eggs

2/3 cup Sugar

3 tablespoons Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

1 teaspoon Vanilla

Cook carrots until tender in a small amount of water, drain.  Combine with margarine in blender or food processor.  Add remaining ingredients, blend well.  Pour into greased one quart soufflé dish.  Bake at 350* for 45 minutes until firm.

This dish can easily be doubled, just bake longer.  Also, this can be frozen raw or made the day ahead.  Defrost completely and bake just before serving.

                                             Enjoy, Aimee   

When is a fire NOT a fire?

Transplanted from San Diego and unfortunately having close experience with forest fires, I thought that I knew all the signs to look for to be safe. 

In Montana, the late spring is fire season.  In Montana, the late summer is fire season; of course, two completely different things.  I’ve always been told it takes three years to acclimate to a new area.  Relocating for Dwynn’s job so many times, I’ve found that always to be true…until now

It’s gonna take longer

In the spring, while leaving to run an errand, I noticed a fire had started across the street from our home in a potato field.  Actually, there are no streets in Montana; they are all “roads.”  The temperature outside had been warm so I figured a tractor back fired and unknowingly to the farmer, it lit some brush.  Being a good concerned citizen I called 911. 

We have an all volunteer fire department.  When there is a fire, a deafening siren blows to alert the WHOLE community.  The trained firemen drop whatever they are doing and rush to the firehouse.  They gather the needed information; get into their fire rigs and GO!  Everyone in town is aware.

Since we were leaving, I waited parked in my car until I was assured the firemen had arrived.  We then left, feeling secure.  A few hours later when we returned back home, we noticed that flames were still blazing, yet the firemen had left.  Again, I figured there were hot spots that had just reignited.  Being the concerned citizen, I immediately called 911, again. 

A “nice” dispatcher explained that many people in Montana burn their fields, gardens and yards before planting season to enrich their soil and to remove weeds.  This fire in the potato field was a controlled fire and I wasted many men’s time by calling.  Who would have known, silly me!

Ok, now feeling embarrassed and really stupid, everybody in town knows we are Montana newbie’s.  The next morning we get up and notice this “controlled” fire is still burning.  At this point, several trees had been caught and an abandoned house was in flames.  There was no way I was going to call a THIRD time!  Sure enough, when all was done, the comments were “Why didn’t someone call the fire department?”

During the late summer and early fall is the other fire season.  Things are extremely dry and there is a lot of flammable brush.  Our first summer, the smoke was so thick we couldn’t see the animals in the pasture.  I couldn’t imagine how they were breathing.  I pleaded with Dwynn to let me bring them into the house.  They could stay in the bathroom, we had a big tub!  I think the cow would have fit but he wouldn’t let me.  Many hours were spent inside with the air conditioning on and continuous air filters circulating.  We had just purchased our ranch and it was our mountain range that was ablaze.  At the time, our property was being logged of all sick and dead trees.  For once, things worked out and the fire was extinguished before it reached the property line.  Over the last few years, we’ve been fortunate and there have been very few wildfires, except for those in the springtime!    

 After we moved here, I purchased a cast iron tripod with a cast iron kettle to use when cooking over our campfire.  Never being a fan of baked beans, my sister told me to try this recipe of hers.  We made them over the fire and I loved them!. It’s the only way my family ever gets them now!  Don't worry, the recipe below is using the oven. 

M’s Baked Beans

Serves 8

 1/8 cup Bacos

½ cup Onions, chopped

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

¼ cup Brown Sugar

1 ½ tablespoons Cider Vinegar

¼ cup Ketchup

1 drop Liquid Smoke

2 - 15 ounce cans of Vegetarian Baked Beans

1 – 15 ounce can of Dark Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed

Preheat oven to 350*

Saute onions.  Combine all ingredients.  Bake covered 30 minutes.  Reduce heat to 300* and bake 1 hour.  If time allows, bake at 200* for 1 more hour.

                                             Enjoy!