Tomato Joys and Woes

Hello, We were able to pick a nice number of tomatoes in two days. I did give a small bag away, but I was happy to do that. Today was canning day. We think it has been three years since we have had enough tomatoes to can. My memory of how to, is a bit rusty. About how many make a quart? How long should they be in the water bath? What pans did I use to sterilize the jars and lids? Do we have enough jars? Where are the jar rings? What did I use to put the jars in the canner without burning my fingers? With some help from the internet, my brain, and Leroy’s memories it got done. All was good until I went in the spare bedroom and saw a tray with tomatoes on it. Neither of us remembered to bring that to the kitchen. We only had enough for five jars, but really there was enough for six jars. Now those tomatoes will have to be used another way, especially as they are quite ripe. Blessings overflow. At noon we ate beans from the garden and squash that was a gift. We have a very rich life. Food to share and more clothes than we can wear. We also have some mysteries. Why is there a dead mouse on the sidewalk close to the house and then another out on the main sidewalk? Why is there a dead bird by the fence? Is there a cat that hunts but does not eat the kill? Paula