Nourishing Bites| Living On the Cusp Part 2
Part 2 (Read Part 1)
The old apple tree near Fort Vancouver died recently. This legacy tree was 194 years old and we’ve felt a special connection to it given that we have our own centenarian apple tree here at April Joy Farm.
When I was a young girl and Annie owned the land, farmer Harold Sutton lived right next door. He was adamant that “our” tree was older than the one at the Fort. We have no way of knowing, but it’s a story worth holding onto since Harold was a first class orchardist who lived here all his life.
Regardless of her age, our venerable Gravenstein produces the most delicious of all our apples, so much so that rather big limbs are prone to breaking in years where there is a heavy crop. Over time we’ve gotten all sorts of advice from ‘experts’ about how to prune and/or care for our incredible Gravenstein. But the only expert we trust is the tree herself.
Two weeks ago a fairly substantial limb gave way and narrowly missed landing on our healthy crop of potatoes. I noticed the fallen limb one morning while on chore detail, and it jolted me to a pause. I spent a few delicious minutes stopping for a visit. It was a joy simply being in the presence of this old soul. I remember thinking, everything this time of year is an unfolding, a shedding, an opening. No moment is ever really static, but rather a footstep, a breath, a subtle becoming.
And then again, sometimes in the blink of an eye, we crack wide open.
When my cup overflows with sheer abundance, I think of my apple tree and of the lessons of my pollinator plantings.
I remember that although my job is to tend that which is at hand, at times it is also, to simply stop and be with what is at hand. My walks through the fields help me to set down the doing and reflect on the becoming that is taking place all around me. This takes a shift in mindset, and vigilance to move from fixing/solving to witnessing/honoring.
I have always believed healthy agriculture is about having a conversation with nature. In addition to our special Gravenstein, our pollinator plantings have taught me so much. I carefully offer up rows of Echinacea, Self Heal, Pleurisy Root, and so many other plants full of food for our pollinators. Nature benevolently accepts my gifts, then resoundingly replies: “Yes!, and...”
It is so crucial that we stewards take time to listen to what she has to say.
Have you ever noticed how pretty flower buds are just before blooming? Think of all that tightly wrapped energy about to unfurl into our world. Step closer until you can see the lacy detail of the green buds, or the rippled pattern of the thick stems, or the tessellations of the petals, or the gorgeous pointed tips in perfect cylindrical formation.
We often race toward or fixate on sorrowfully few moments of culmination. But think of all the incredible, intricate, details of every-day life.
To be alive is to have the blessed fortune to choose to make any second the start of a gorgeous, unfurling, celebration.
Flowers throw open their arms and expose the very essence of their heart to the entire wide world. How unbelievably brave.
it takes courage to become who you really are. -e. e. cummings
Every morning I step out into the day, I never know quite what I’ll discover so I do my best to remain attentive and thankful. As I put on my chore boots and pick up my gloves, I don’t speculate about “What’s coming next?” Instead, breath by breath, I try to remain centered by asking, “What’s right here?”
Moving closer, listening intently, keeping curiosity close at hand? That’s what I call living on the cusp of grace. ~AJ
On the Cusp of Parenthood
On July 3rd, we stepped off the porch after lunch to a circus of peeping. For 21 days, one of our hens had been surreptitiously sitting on a clutch of eggs right at the edge of the driveway. She had tucked herself down inside the box blade, and through rainy June, without any protection from predators, remained on her nest to keep her eggs dry and warm. None of us— even eagle-eyed Brad— had any idea what she was on the cusp of. Much to our surprise and delight, she hatched eight chicks.
We named her Freedom.
Gifts of the Planet U-Pick Blueberries
Our friend George Brereton owns and operates Gifts of the Planet Farm at 42117 NW 34th Ave, Woodland, WA 98674. His fruit is certified organic and certifiably delicious.
George writes:
“We're open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. We are closed on Sundays.
The rest of the week we're open by appointment. Please call or text 360-356-5116.”
If you decide to visit George’s farm, be ultra-respectful of his crops and his home and make sure to exercise good social distancing practices. George is going above and beyond this year to open his farm to the community; it’s our responsibility to be courteous and kind. And remember to say thank you to those blueberries bushes for sharing their sweet goodness. It’s up to us to teach our kids how to be gentle with plants and grateful for the gifts of our planet!
“Thank you for being.”