September 6, 2012
Quote of the Week:
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
–Thomas Edison
Reflection from Norm
I hope all of you had a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend.
I traveled with my 20 year old son, Noah, to the farm of my youth in west central Iowa. My mother is closing in on 93 and still rules her roost, if not only for 8 months out of the year. She is actually moving into her mother’s old house this winter in the metropolis of Westphalia, Ia., population just shy of 100. We went there to visit mom, no doubt, but also to walk the 160 acre farm, visit Harlan Community High School and St. Boniface Church. You see, Noah is an English major at Luther College and is writing his senior paper on what I will call ‘legacy’. He wanted to hear and record stories from my formative years, particularly those relating to my father.
I enjoyed growing up on our farm, being outside much of the time, eating things we raised or grew for the most part, and making a living from the land. Although I dressed like Dad as a kid and tried to always walk in his actual shadow, I did not ever think that I would be a farmer. To be honest, it still kind of shocks me to think that I farm for a living. The other day, Laurie was mentioning a study looking at the possibility of someone having a farmer gene or a hunter/gatherer gene. I guess I would definitely be inclined to the former. And so it goes.
Noah and I enjoyed our time together and it was a trip that brought us closer. I think it was helpful for him to clarify the direction of his paper. It was grounding for me to talk about the rogation days procession, to remember the prayers at the St. Isidore shrine, to tell of our blessing of the four corner posts with holy water and palms from the Easter Vigil each spring. The stories went on and on as we walked around the farm. We all have them, you know. These stories that are so integral to who we are as individuals. We just need the chance to tell them a little more often. And now that I‘ve had the chance, it shouldn’t really surprise me of my vocation.
Farmer Notes on this week’s delivery:
- Zucchini will be mixed with summer squash in coming weeks
- This is the last of the cantaloupe deliveries
- Everyone receives the Sungold cherry tomatoes
- Eggplant will continue to be a mix of Italian and Japanese
- Farmer’s choice is carrots/roma tomatoes (full shares)
- Sweet corn, fennel, and green beans next week
- 2 separate half inch rains this last week
- We welcome the cooler days here on the farm
- Wash all of the produce please
