Sunday, August 8, 2010

* Back to School

August brings with it so many wonderful things.  Peaches ripen along with pears, plums, and apples.  For teachers, thoughts divert from the liesure of summer and begin earnestly toward the time known as "back to school".  Most teachers begin working in their classrooms August 1. Most mornings will find them arranging bulletin boards, removing loved books from storage, hanging the ever-present classroom rules along with the Pledge of Allegience. Teachers meet with each other in rooms and in the hallway to discuss the school year in as much anticipation as the students and nervous parents.

Over the summer custodians have been busy, working in the heat and humidity.  Buildings have been mended, walls have been painted and the floors have been waxed to a high gloss that will not be seen again until the beginning of the next school year.

But, there is absolutely nothing like the very first day of school.  Returning students, who know the rules and procedures, help direct the younger students who are frightened by the seeming confusion.  All students have brand new school supplies, brand new shoes and, most importantly, brand new crayons.  When the bell rings, students walk into the newly  waxed hallways and their new shoes squeak on the floor inspite of teacher warnings.  Sitting in their new classroom with their new teacher, they carefully remove all the newly purchased school supplies.  Crayons still have points, markers still have ink, pencils still have erasers and desks will never be as organized as they are the first day of school.

Of course, the school calendar is determined by departments and politicians who seem to forget child development.  In the heat of August, everyone is completely wilted by noon and all the students who looked so fresh 3 hours ago are now sweaty and tired.  And so, at the teachers' expence, popcicles will be part of the afternoon's activities.  Lights will be out for a while as children rest a bit and cool their bodies.  During that time the teacher will read a book which will become a favorite.  Most of my favorites were heard during "popcicle time" ~ Little House on the Prairie, Ramona the Pest, Sarah Plain and Tall, Wind in the Willows, Anne of Green Gables ...
I dearly miss the excitement and challenges of teaching.  I miss conversing with other teachers.  I miss the joys and hurts of children.  However, as you begin a new year full of promise and hope I will be thinking of you and watching from a distance.  God bless you all.
 




Sunday, August 1, 2010

* I Saved The Last of the Raspberries for Margaret

As August approaches and peaches come to harvest, raspberry season wanes.  Each day brings less and less.  I cannot pass our patch without thinking of Margaret.  Last summer she enjoyed taking a walk to the briars, picking the fruits and eating them ... one after another.  This morning, I returned from church and noticed several ripe berries.  However, I also noticed most of the plants were bare.  Remembering how wee Margaret enjoyed the berries, I decided to save these last delicious fruits for her. I anticipate the time her sister, Helen will join us for berry picking walks.
The garden is producing vegetables at nearly break-neck speed now.  Beets, onions, potatoes, peas and green beans are harvested and preserved.  August is time for tomatoes and peaches.  A batch of salsa has already been made, with at least one more to made tomorrow.  There will also be jars of tomato sauce, tomato juice and canned tomatoes.  But peaches, ah, peaches ~ are my favorite.  Canned peaches, peach jams, peach jellies, peach pie ... and, of course, peaches for just plain eating!
Pears are on the horizon.  Next to peaches, I like pears best.  Tristan always liked pears and when I can pears, it is always with Tristan in mind.  This year, I am going to experiment with pear pie.

I confess when I am in my summer kitchen canning whatever produce there is, I am thinking to the future.  The spices and herbs I use are chosen with specific people and events in mind.  While I am cleaning jars and cleaning the produce, I am imagining various holidays, special occasions, everyday meals.  I am thinking about the people who will be eating my carefully preserved foods and their particular tastes.  I will make a batch of salsa very hot and chunky because Tristan likes it that way.  I will take care to use organic, non GMO ingredients for foods Ashley's family will eat because Ashley is conscientious about the quality of the foods her family consumes.  I will think about what spices and herbs compliment various holidays. 

Sometimes I sit in my root cellar and just look at the rows and rows of preserved foods on the shelves.  Let winter come ... my family is secured for the winter. It is so satisfying.  And Margaret & Helen, I have saved some special treats just for you.