Thursday, September 28, 2017

Day 286 CJSM-book IV


Day 286

 

 

“Canning”-days---it was so hot in the kitchen

 

 

Daughter Becky got me to relent on my “swearing=off” of gardens. When I was a kid, my Dad had a vegetable garden in our back yard, a very large one at my Grandma’s house, three doors away and another at the “farm” with the great-Mother of all gardens and another three hundred tomato plants on a separate plot and a full acre of sweet corn. He managed to keep me fairly busy with “work” but I somehow still found time enough for “boy”-exploits. My poor parents must have prayed for the vey kind of Kids that I won---but…they got Me! Luck-o-the-draw? I reckon.

So, as time passed and I got out on my own, I swore-off the “gardening” treasure. For good!

Then, one fine day, after I move our little family to a real farm, daughter Becky comes to me one fine Saturday morning with her lovely, sweet-smiling face (I did not know what she wanted, had no idea, but, I knew I’d give in---I sure enough did!).

Those sparkling blue eyes danced in her six year young tender face and inquire with that lilt of an unspoken “Please! Daddy!”---“Can we have a garden?”…”Yes!” I smiled, softly.

We got out the pick-up and went to town, 11 miles, picked out a nice roto-tiller; went to work.

She helped like a champion; no chore to daunting or difficult; made the project a pleasure.

Then, the little village a mile from our residence had an annual Octoberfest with crafts and food and such festival-celebrations; Little Rachel “rented” a booth with her own money, set up shop and sold the produce from “our” garden. Pumpkins and gourds and Luffa; made a killing!

That girl sure enough had a knack for making money! Always!

Poor Nanny caught the brunt of the “garden”-experience; she canned all the vegetables that we did not consume fresh, or, give away. The entire family has a giving nature.

Beth got roped into the “canning”-culture---and, brother…was it ever hot!

We do not like to use the air conditioning in the house; we had a pool and enjoyed it every day. But, canning is a “hot” task, at best. We had an attic fan that blew stifling air around!?

I can’t say that I ever “hated” the garden; it’s just that my Dad had so much of it. I reckon he used it to keep a troublesome son (somewhat) occupied---nice try…I never was much of a saint!

Actually, I like to work, enjoy the “fruits” of my labor; like to do a good job.

My wife and kids sure enough aren’t lazy; that farm endeavor tested all of our metal.

 

Ah! Cookie Jar Sweet “Squirrels are in the corn!” Memories!


 

No comments:

Post a Comment