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!
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