Our grandsons, ages seven, five and two-and-a-half live on the family ranch about five hours away in northern New Mexico. We visit frequently and when we do, I usually go on a hike with the boys through the trees and brush over rocks, up hills, and down the creek. We enjoy these adventures exploring, discovering, pretending. This last week, they wanted to go down the hill to a pond formed by a dam across the road filled by recent heavy rains. We all knew that when boys are near water, they are likely to get muddy, so they wore old shoes and boots for this adventure; I, however, did not. The boys wanted to ride their bikes down the winding narrow road for the thrill of speed and turns. I drove the Expedition to the pond to bring their bikes back up the hill and take the youngest with me.
Once at the pond they located flat rocks for skipping or finding the biggest ones they could lug to the edge to toss in. I do not think there is any limit to how many rocks boys can throw into water. The edges of the pond near the dam are steep, so the two older boys started around the edges of the pond where they could get closer to the water. A sand bar at the far end of the pond offered a chance to get close to the water; this area was sandy and only slightly muddy. I observed their route and declined to come with them because I had on shoes that I did not want to get dirty, but I saw no reason they could not proceed. Soon the oldest hollered out that he was stuck and the middle grandson echoed his plight. They tried to help each other pull their feet from the muck but to no avail. A grandma to the rescue was forthcoming.
I took off my shoes, rolled up my jeans to mid-calf and went out to help. Since I am quite a bit heavier than these small boys, I sank to the edges of my rolled-up jeans quite quickly. With effort, I pulled each foot out of the muck to reach the boys, shaking my head at our predicament. The youngest was wearing cowboy boots, so when he pulled his foot up, the boot remained in the mud, but I could pull each mud-encased empty boot out and to set him on firmer ground with his boots in hand with instructions to scrape the mud off. He had on socks, so his feet were still clean. The older boy had on athletic type shoes that sucked in the mud the moment his foot pulled free. I had to quickly dig down to the shoe or there would be no chance of finding it. Once he was on firmer ground as well, I brought his shoes to the shore. We found sticks to scrape the gooey mess from their shoes and boots. I scooped handfuls of mud from inside the shoes and then rinsed them in the pond water so he could get them back on.
With both boys rescued and their shoes and boots at least wearable, I had to figure a way to clean my feet so I could put my shoes back on. We tried putting rocks down to the edge of the pond to give me a path to the water. The boys searched for larger rocks and packed them down to the edge. We thought we had a good path set, but when I set foot on these, the rocks started sliding into the water, throwing me off balance onto my bottom. We all laughed at our hilarious failed efforts. The boys were getting thirsty from being out in the hot sun and working so hard packing rocks, and I decided that I was not going to be able to get my feet clean to put my shoes back on. I began slowly picking my way through the pasture around the edge of the pond back to the car. The cactus, yucca, dried sunflowers and rocks along the way demanded carefully placement of each foot step.
Once back at the car, I loaded the bikes and boys and headed back to the house. There I scrapped dried mud off my legs and feet. The boys brought me a bowl of water and I rinsed the mud off to get cleaned up. We all laughed, got a cook drink and shared our adventure with their mom, dad and papa. This might have been the biggest mess we have been in to date, but it was a memorable adventure!
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Freezing Sweet Corn
Fresh sweet corn, full yellow kernels bursting with flavor, lasts only for a short time in the summer, but freezing this corn on the same day it is picked preserves this peak fresh flavor all winter long. My dad's sister and her husband raised sweet corn and other crops on their farm about 70 miles from the ranch. Every year my aunts, mother, brother, sister and cousins would load up and drive to their farm early in the morning to pick the sweet corn. The thick rows of corn filtered the hot sun, but the moist soil in the irrigation rows made the humidity rise. Corn stalks offered multiple ears sprouting transparent silk with brown tips. We had empty burlap sacks to fill with ripe corn, pulling back the husk slightly to see if the kernels were filled out enough. With so many people picking we soon had the back of the pickup filled with sacks of corn. After a quick lunch, we headed back home to preserve our harvest.
All the kids were sent to the garage which had a dirt floor and provided a shady place to work to shuck all those ears of corn. We all had something to sit on and a box to put the corn in. We had a great time laughing, teasing, and working together. Sometimes we would find a big fat corn worm eating away at the tender kernels, which we would flick onto the ground and squish--disgusting! The silk on each ear of corn needed to be carefully removed as well. One of the kids would take the full box into the kitchen where our moms were busy preparing the ears of corn for freezing. One would wash the ears, check for any remaining silks, and cut off the worm-damaged portion. Another put the ears into a pot of boiling water to blanch for several minutes. Once the hot ears came out of the boiling water, another mom plunged these into a sink of ice water to cool them down. Then another person cut the kernels from each ear and finally bags were filled with these kernels to be put into the freezer. We all kept at this process until all the corn, except for what we would eat in the next several days, was tucked away in the freezer to enjoy throughout the year. This might take until way into the night, but we saw it through to completion. We would put up enough corn to feed four families until the next year's harvest.
The kids loved being together and had a great time. Moms were exhausted but satisfied with their work, and our dads enjoyed the fruits of our labor. These memories make me appreciate the extended family circle we enjoyed.
All the kids were sent to the garage which had a dirt floor and provided a shady place to work to shuck all those ears of corn. We all had something to sit on and a box to put the corn in. We had a great time laughing, teasing, and working together. Sometimes we would find a big fat corn worm eating away at the tender kernels, which we would flick onto the ground and squish--disgusting! The silk on each ear of corn needed to be carefully removed as well. One of the kids would take the full box into the kitchen where our moms were busy preparing the ears of corn for freezing. One would wash the ears, check for any remaining silks, and cut off the worm-damaged portion. Another put the ears into a pot of boiling water to blanch for several minutes. Once the hot ears came out of the boiling water, another mom plunged these into a sink of ice water to cool them down. Then another person cut the kernels from each ear and finally bags were filled with these kernels to be put into the freezer. We all kept at this process until all the corn, except for what we would eat in the next several days, was tucked away in the freezer to enjoy throughout the year. This might take until way into the night, but we saw it through to completion. We would put up enough corn to feed four families until the next year's harvest.
The kids loved being together and had a great time. Moms were exhausted but satisfied with their work, and our dads enjoyed the fruits of our labor. These memories make me appreciate the extended family circle we enjoyed.
Monday, August 5, 2013
A Perfect Summer Day
Birds begin to chirp and twitter in the pre-dawn morning light. A light cool breeze gently drifts in the open window bringing a fresh scent of abundant foliage. No alarm, no pressing schedule to meet, just savoring the freedom of a summer day. Although no alarm buzzes, I am eager to savor the delights of a long summer day. Soon the sun is up. First thing after breakfast, we go for a walk through the neighborhood lined with mature trees observing the beauty in the variety of landscaping. On the final leg of our walk we meander through the neighborhood park with an island in the small lake which various birds use for nesting and raising their young and a lily pond with a bridge over a waterfall. These daily walks provide ample opportunity to talk and enjoy each other's company uninterrupted.
When we reach home, we focus on taking care of the yard before the day warms up too much. We start with picking raspberries requiring bending and searching for the ripe luscious berries that we enjoy on homemade yogurt or ice cream in addition to freezing enough to savor throughout the entire year. We water the flowers and garden noting the growing plants and produce. It is fun to see the progress we have made over the years in the yard that had nothing more than grass and several old trees on the perimeter when we moved in twenty years ago. Now a tree in the center backyard provides ample shade and the fish pond adds serenity and a focal point surrounded by flower borders. Two trees in the front yard keep the house cool from the morning summer sun. Flower beds hug the house in front and a berm with perennials, flowers in pots and bushes anchors the grass next to the street.
We enjoy lunch in the backyard under the tree in the center. With the vine covering the fence, the abundant shade, the pond and flowers, we have a secluded venue to visit and enjoy deviled eggs, homemade yogurt and fruit. Even after school starts and I am back at work, we do lunch outside as long as the weather permits. During the heat of the afternoon, we find projects inside to work on.
After supper, I feed the fish, sprinkling their food on the surface of the pond, watching them hungrily nibbling till the surface is clear. They swish and swirl around the water hyacinth that floats on the water and the tall grass spikes. I enjoy sitting in my Adirondack chair savoring the beauty of the growing plants in the garden and flower beds. The evenings usually cool off enough to open the windows before going to bed. Through the open window I listen to the crickets happily chirruping in the evening calm. I love summer!
When we reach home, we focus on taking care of the yard before the day warms up too much. We start with picking raspberries requiring bending and searching for the ripe luscious berries that we enjoy on homemade yogurt or ice cream in addition to freezing enough to savor throughout the entire year. We water the flowers and garden noting the growing plants and produce. It is fun to see the progress we have made over the years in the yard that had nothing more than grass and several old trees on the perimeter when we moved in twenty years ago. Now a tree in the center backyard provides ample shade and the fish pond adds serenity and a focal point surrounded by flower borders. Two trees in the front yard keep the house cool from the morning summer sun. Flower beds hug the house in front and a berm with perennials, flowers in pots and bushes anchors the grass next to the street.
We enjoy lunch in the backyard under the tree in the center. With the vine covering the fence, the abundant shade, the pond and flowers, we have a secluded venue to visit and enjoy deviled eggs, homemade yogurt and fruit. Even after school starts and I am back at work, we do lunch outside as long as the weather permits. During the heat of the afternoon, we find projects inside to work on.
After supper, I feed the fish, sprinkling their food on the surface of the pond, watching them hungrily nibbling till the surface is clear. They swish and swirl around the water hyacinth that floats on the water and the tall grass spikes. I enjoy sitting in my Adirondack chair savoring the beauty of the growing plants in the garden and flower beds. The evenings usually cool off enough to open the windows before going to bed. Through the open window I listen to the crickets happily chirruping in the evening calm. I love summer!
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