Making Do and Hanging On

The end of February, 2009 and I can almost smell the garden when I go out the door.  The weather hasn’t stabilized yet, and we could even get snow again tonight, but little greens are growing both in the homemade greenhouse and in the recently constructed coldframe.  I haven’t gone outside yet this morning to check on the baby greens,  but I feel that a little chill won’t hurt them as long as they are under the protection of their covers.  There is something corollary about  the hardening off  of plants, and  the hardships of life that gives strength to the individual.  

I have been reading the book  “”Making Do and Hanging On,” with the subtitle “Growing Up in the Apple Country Through the Great Depression”, by Bruce Foxworthy.  I feel honored to learn about the challenges that the generation that grew up during the 30’s  has to share with us.  The history of Entiat is very young, and Mr. Foxworthy’s family epitomized the kind of people  that lived by principles of hard work and honesty that living in a beautiful but harsh environment required.  I can say that I have met no more friendly and giving people than those from that generation, and from this valley.  As we and our children’s generation are entering our  own hard times ahead, I hope that we can thrive and come out even stronger than before.  In a way, (as I was telling Ruthie last night) I am kind of looking forward to a  Depression.  

You are all invited to attend a program at the Entiat Public Library (or the Entiat Grange if need be)  featuring Bruce Foxworthy on Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 PM.  He stopped by the library the other day to donate a book to the branch and we arranged a date for him to speak.  The next week, Tuesday, April 21st at 7:00 PM we are hosting Carl Allen who performs Woody Guthrie songs of the Depression era, as well as the song Roll On, Columbia – Washington’s State  Song.

Picking Plums

 

Don’t you love the way he gracefully picks the plums from the tree? The trick to growing a good Italian Plum tree is so simple. Plant one or find one where it happens to be, and when the season arrives, pick the fruit. The birds will eat a few, but happily, bugs don’t seem to like them very much. We have found that the fruit is most easily preserved by drying it. A simple commercial dryer works great. This year we are experimenting with putting sliced fruit in the greenhouse on a piece of screening. On a hot day, the temperature in the greenhouse gets up above 120 degrees. The texture of the finished dried fruit is nicer than in the electric dryer.  Later in the year I will use the fruit in fruitcakes and breads, or just as a snack with nuts. I’m interested in more ways to use it. Sometimes I wish I had a cook living with us so I could just grow the garden and fruit trees, harvest and preserve the produce  and someone else would make delicious meals or treats with it.  Anyone interested??

Pops said he knows just what it feels like to be pregnant when he wears the pickin basket.  I appreciate that he tries to imagine what it must feel like.

What can a mother say?

My mama was and is a beautiful shining star.  This mother’s day I want to once again share her wisdom with you, my children and loved ones.  I feel a great joy in sensing that she is aware of her beautiful grandchildren and now little great grandchildren.   These words have been directed just as truly to you as to each of us.  The best I can give you is written here.

“My darling children,

If anything should happen to me there are a few things I should like to suggest you think about.

First, you can never know how very greatly God has favored me in giving me not one but five of the most lovely and talented children I have ever seen. I feel very humble and yet very honored that He should consider me the one worthy of being your Mother.  Always honor Him and know that the answer to every problem you may have is to be found in the Bible if you read it wanting to accept His word for what you should do rather than your own.

Try to make all your decisions on information you can assemble and then of your own free will decide the best course of action.  Dream and spend some time alone – reassembling your thoughts, verify your ideals, and establish the best method of achieving what you want of life.

I have great confidence in all of you. You must love others but be self sufficient and able to carry on alone, should the need arise.  Remember – God says, “Lo, I am with you always” You must be able to adjust to any and all situations.

Have compassion for all who are less strong than you – give them some of your strength. Use your talents fully.

Believe that everything works for good if you believe in God. Don’t dwell on sentimentality or reminiscing – it isn’t healthy. Be realistic – if you find it difficult – look to helping little children and you will soon forget anything but the present.

Let the search for beauty and excellence be your goal – in whatever field you putsue. See beauty in nature, in people- don’t let anger or hate corrupt you or make you ugly.

Fear nothing – yet use judgement. Live fully in order to be understanding of others and thereby enjoy their company and help them with their problems.

Try to exercise every day in the sun – a healthy body is most important to success.

Do not be tempted by others to smoke, drink or participate in other vices. Popularity with such persons or groups is only fleeting and cannot injure anyone but yourself.

You have been very ’spcially endowed, but know that there is an obligation attached to the awarding of your talents. You must use them for good purpose. I am very proud of all of your present accomplishments.

I ask only that God take care of you and that you will know He is ever near and that I, your Mother, love you all as much as is humanly possible.

Love each other, help each other – and remember I would kiss each of you goodnight if I were with you tonight.

Your Mama”

Everything you want to learn from Mom!!

Hi! This is Ruthie posting. I am starting a blog for Mom, because she is amazing, talented and very skilled. I’ve learned so much from her, but there are still so many things I still would like to learn more about with and from her. Here are a few: How to make bread, how to grow vegetables and herbs, how to can veggies and fruit, how to stay as healthy as she is, how to make a welcoming home, how to train a baby…. there is so much!!! Please post what you would like to learn from Mom, or what you have already learned!!!