Came
for a visit, and what did I see as I drove onto my parents gravel drive? Why, papa’s
vegetable plants stand there at the end of the field getting ready for business.
His big painted sunflower adorns its side. Arriving at the farm I visit one of the
greenhouses. Laid out within on makeshift tables are big piles of potting soil
and flats of little vegetable starts. Greenhouse floor is the template; as row
upon row just wait to get into the ground. They have sprung forth since being
seeded in late February to early March and can be just about any vegetable; lettuce,
bell peppers, beans, etc
I
take my Daddy at his word when He tells me; “Kathy I have enough for everyone
this year. So I march myself out the door of my parents home and to the little
vegetable plants that are calling, ‘pick me, and pick me.’ Choosing then bearing
my flat of jewels, back to the house, I present them to my Papa. He says to my
surprise; “Kathy it’s too soon, still too cold. They must wait a little longer
in the greenhouse.” Back I go to put them away. Then the thought strikes; Oh, I
was told after all. “Take all you want, of spring cabbage. They are about six
inches high in four inch pots in flats on the ground outside the green house door.
First
flat of gems I will leave to incubate till after Easter but today is the
beginning of a spring cabbage dream. Did you know it came with a bonus? The
Grande gardener and Father- Wallace, said, ‘Ok there are several new geraniums
growing from cuttings. So take your pick.’ I make out like a bandit; seven all
together four vegetable and three flowers.
My
papa is vital as a new lamb. He has a vehicle called a mule that is his great helper
to navigate the fields and check on his work. At 87 years of age his legs are
not what they used to be. But with hard work his strength is increased. I think
that sometimes he is pleased with how much that is accomplished. Five in the
morning is his wake up call every day with a nap every day right after lunch.In the reality of Age’s lengthening sun and
shadow he carries experiences so varied of life. Back in Minnesota the place of
his birth he worked at a tuberculosis hospital as a grounds keeper, Farmer and
maintenance man. in youth and in childhood many learning experiences and
helping within a family of ten. His
later years held the resume of Nurseryman, violin maker, with in retirement to
name just a few. Out in the field here he comes on his Kubota tractor, Dark
soil still waits; for what, we shall see.
Summer
brightness beckons
Watermelon
summer pickles canned from mother.
Growing
in rich garden plot fragrant dill stands tall.
Melons;
How can I forget, Musk, watermelon, honeydew?
To
the ready; basil and onion, garlic and bell pepper.
We
shall see tomatoes in quart jars so pretty.
Sweet
breezes will touch the apples trees.
Staked
up grapes and black berries grow in a flurry.
Fourth
of July reunion at parent’s farm is coming
We
anticipate juicy red strawberries atop homemade shortcakes.
This was written right before summer vegetable plants were ready to come out of the greenhouse including my four little cabbage plants. They are now a little bigger and in my garden. This warm summer weather is perfect for our plantings don't your think?
Hope everyone is finding summer glories to enjoy!
My Review
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Excuse me while I kiss the sky! This is so freakin' beautiful, I was floating away for a minute, on so many tangents where your words catapulted me! First, my dad (gone for decades now) used to always give stuff away, stuff he grew or cooked or discovered, as his only means of showing love. Second, I am disabled (almost 63) & I delight in gardening, which forces me to use my painful legs, leading me to forget about my bum legs as long as I can be puttering in the garden. Your story is so full of verve & affection & life lessons! Your storytelling itself displays the abundance of which you write! It's overflowing with all the things you feel about the awesome details you share. This is a precious commemoration of your dad & your relationship with your dad! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Margie,
Dear hearted one..do you know your transparent spirit is your energy. It gives others.. read moreMargie,
Dear hearted one..do you know your transparent spirit is your energy. It gives others joy. You did that for me just now. Iv'e not been on here in a while. Yes, we must keep at it. To use what we have and strengthen what remains is just the ticket. I wish you every success and continuing good as you do all you can to remain vital and strong in your own personal life.
I wish you blessings of the sun.
Kathy
PS. Your picture is darling!
5 Years Ago
Oh, and and also it is great to get to hear a little about your own background in that of your papa... read moreOh, and and also it is great to get to hear a little about your own background in that of your papa. He sounds so special. I think you picked up some of his (specialness!)
Hi Kathy! A beautiful and appreciative account of the figurehead of your household; your dad. His life story is a testament to his work ethics, his love for God and his goodness bestowed upon us through nature's bounties. I sensed your admiration, pride and close connection to him, to your childhood memories, past and still till the present. I sensed his generosity in his offerings. We reap what we sow and we enjoy the fruits of hard toils and soft soils. I love the way you narrated this snapshot of your visit and then connected it all to his upbringing.
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Sami Khalil,
It is interesting how one thing in our day to day can spur on memories of anothe.. read moreSami Khalil,
It is interesting how one thing in our day to day can spur on memories of another day and even the memory of others in their own lives. "Hard toils and soft soils: Oh I like that so much! He plays the guitar and when I and my siblings were growing up it was wonderful always seeing him sitting in his chair after working all week playing and we all would sing. Dad and mom sing together still. I am thankful. And Sami thank you also for your time and thought in responding here. It is very special.
Bless you much!
Kathy
Just love the idea of your dad, 87 years young, still working away like it was still tomorrow.
He's sure packed a lot of life in, and hopefully a lot more to go.
Must be great turning up to fresh fruit and vegetables. Definitely one up on us store dwellers.
Always wanted to drive a tractor. Must be a little boy thing.
We've had three hot days of summer now, and the trains and planes don't work, people are stranded. Beats me how we managed to rule the world at one point. Hope life is treating you well, Kathy.
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Paul Bell
I sure do wish the best for my papa. His generation are the last of a generation fa.. read morePaul Bell
I sure do wish the best for my papa. His generation are the last of a generation fading away. He grew up with many experiences so different from anything I experienced. Your right about the changes in our world. Fortunately right now things are looking pretty good. We must hope and pray for the future.
Thank you so much for your excellent review Paul.
Bless you and oh I am doing pretty good. My own garden is coming along. Have even planted carrot and broccoli seed and they have sprouted.
Kathy
5 Years Ago
My dad always grew veg, really need to get back to doing something similar. Quite like gardening, bu.. read moreMy dad always grew veg, really need to get back to doing something similar. Quite like gardening, but have this bad habit of changing it too often.
i love this guy, Kathy! your Da is a fine hero to emulate ... a man who works the soil .. gathers his family and his goods .. with tenderness, care and strength .. that's what i see and feel in reading .. a privilege to read ma'am! thanks for sharing
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Thanks Einstein Noodle for your wonderful words. It is
as if we writers and readers can gathe.. read moreThanks Einstein Noodle for your wonderful words. It is
as if we writers and readers can gather and just celebrate one another. Your review did that for me. He works really hard and now he and my mama do their best to care for one another.
Bless you.
Kathy
5 Years Ago
good on 'em, Kathy! your family get togethers must be something else! ten children plus ... glad you.. read moregood on 'em, Kathy! your family get togethers must be something else! ten children plus ... glad your Ma and Da are still with you guys
Lovely Kathy. Being a vegetable gardener myself this ticks all the right boxes. At present I'm also harvesting which is so fulfilling and connects you to mother earth. Also distributing to friends and family is a great feeling .
This is a real feel good, hands in the dirt story.
All the best.
Alan
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
alanwgraham,
I would love to see your garden. It is a great feeling to have something to shar.. read morealanwgraham,
I would love to see your garden. It is a great feeling to have something to share and to eat for ourselves. Not easy but the end result is worth the toil. Tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, bell pepper, cantaloupe strawberries, rasberries, cabbage and I just planted broccoli and carrot seed as a late crop. We shall see. Lot's of mulch I am hoping will help. I'm no farmer just a town garden girl.
Thank you for your dear review.
Blessings,
Kathy
Summer brightness beacons with beauty of filial love. Daddy is remembered ever with great emotion that blooms in mind and a child growing in rich garden plot remembers his father with his all efforts. This poem is an excellent poem that makes readers emotional. Your effort is highly appreciated. Thank you very much dear poet for sharing this beautiful poem with us. ..100/100
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Kumarmani Mahakul,
I appreciate your lovely review! To be able to be thankful for the love of.. read moreKumarmani Mahakul,
I appreciate your lovely review! To be able to be thankful for the love of those which invested in our lives was surly my feeling when writing this.
Thank you again and blessings to you.
Kathy
Wow your papa has a greenhouse yay! I enjoyed all the mention and description of fruits and veg and tour muse painting the scenery awesomely. Kudos,
I like interaction for the human touch, so pls pleez do review/ comment/ give your thoughts on my newest poem
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
S.zaynab kamoonpury,
Yes, Thanks. I love my wonderful hard working papa. He is very productiv.. read moreS.zaynab kamoonpury,
Yes, Thanks. I love my wonderful hard working papa. He is very productive still. Words hardly do justice to the wonderful gardening and work of summer.
Blessings,
Kathy
' Back in Minnesota the place of his birth he worked at a tuberculosis hospital as a grounds keeper, Farmer and maintenance man. in youth and in childhood many learning experiences and helping within a family of ten. His later years held the resume of Nurseryman, violin maker, with in retirement to name just a few. Out in the field here he comes on his Kubota tractor, Dark soil still waits; for what, we shall see.'
Takes a man who's lived so many experiences to understand what Earth truly means! You've written with your heart here, You've written with respect and warmth, Kathy, and can only imagine that as you wrote this warm-hearted write, you might have closed your eyes and looked back seeing your dad at various stages of life.. As someone who would lovingly work on gardens, I think this is such a delightful lesson on how to rest in the past but, BUT, take the knowledge into your happy Now. My example was our darling little mum.. ..
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
emmajoy,
Yes, I can imagine your mother being a warm and loving person. I appreciate your abi.. read moreemmajoy,
Yes, I can imagine your mother being a warm and loving person. I appreciate your ability to enjoy and find beauty as you identify other's beauty with your own feelings and ideas and experiences. You are right I can hardly imagine the seasons my papa has walked most of the time. His life and times being so different from my own. Your re
review was well thought out and thoughtful. Thank you so much.
Blessings
Kathy
dear Kathy... you have captured the essence of life... wherein we
need nourishment from berries and fruits, along with vegetables.
Being raised a vegetarian, I find solace in your poetic persuasions of plants
in a greenhouse... and a father and family who thrive on being a part
of the cycle of growing. Now in my golden years, I long for the delicate
taste of celery and sweet carrots... the planting of potato eyes planted in hills...
waiting to mature with the unique flavor topped with butter and cream.
My grandmother cooked her home grown cabbage with a lust or bust attitude of
divine guidance. She made Jam from the Berries in her yard... waiting for home-made
bread and churned butter. So many veggies... each deserving a Chapter in a Book of
Grandma's Cooking. Kathy, you have awakened my taste buds as I await the blossoming
of newly planted Cherry trees and Concord grape vines, along with Blueberries.
truly delicious, Pat
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Pat Wedel,
There is an anticipation when it comes to fresh grown fruits and vegetables. I tr.. read morePat Wedel,
There is an anticipation when it comes to fresh grown fruits and vegetables. I truly enjoyed your description concerning your own grandmother and the memories of her work and canning. Good healthy nutrition how very good for heart and life.
Well it is blueberry season right now....yum.
Thanks and blessings to you.
Kathy
Excuse me while I kiss the sky! This is so freakin' beautiful, I was floating away for a minute, on so many tangents where your words catapulted me! First, my dad (gone for decades now) used to always give stuff away, stuff he grew or cooked or discovered, as his only means of showing love. Second, I am disabled (almost 63) & I delight in gardening, which forces me to use my painful legs, leading me to forget about my bum legs as long as I can be puttering in the garden. Your story is so full of verve & affection & life lessons! Your storytelling itself displays the abundance of which you write! It's overflowing with all the things you feel about the awesome details you share. This is a precious commemoration of your dad & your relationship with your dad! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie
Posted 5 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
5 Years Ago
Margie,
Dear hearted one..do you know your transparent spirit is your energy. It gives others.. read moreMargie,
Dear hearted one..do you know your transparent spirit is your energy. It gives others joy. You did that for me just now. Iv'e not been on here in a while. Yes, we must keep at it. To use what we have and strengthen what remains is just the ticket. I wish you every success and continuing good as you do all you can to remain vital and strong in your own personal life.
I wish you blessings of the sun.
Kathy
PS. Your picture is darling!
5 Years Ago
Oh, and and also it is great to get to hear a little about your own background in that of your papa... read moreOh, and and also it is great to get to hear a little about your own background in that of your papa. He sounds so special. I think you picked up some of his (specialness!)
Everything in and about me has become materiel to ponder, analyze and find meaning and beauty. This life journey is all about revealing lessons many times hidden until dug up and planted then finding .. more..