Back in the 70's we lived on Lake Coeur d'Alene in Northern Idaho. Sounds kind of upscale but this wasn't. Looking for work, two small children. Caretaking was all we had. We drove through fields of peas and lentils up on top of the hill above the lake on our way to town.
My parents payed us a visit and my father told me as we drove through these fields about gleaning with his mother when he was little. After the farmer harvests his crop there are grains and legumes left on the ground and the gleaners come in and pick them up. He said they would have enough beans to last through winter until Gran could grow her garden.
This sounded like a romantic notion, me being a child of the 60's and all. So Shawna, Jason and I gathered peas and lentils that fall. The peas weren't split but they cooked up OK and I learned more ways to cook lentils than I ever imagined (lentil chili, lentil bread?) It felt good to glean from the land, to take care of ourselves and know that food wasn't wasted.
On my way to work this morning I saw a flock of Canadian Geese in a barley field gleaning and preparing for the long flight south.
I thought about my own little flock.
Thank you Daddy
5 comments:
I miss grandpa, too. Thanks for sharing the memory...
This is a great little story. Thanks for sharing mom!
J&Y:
I'm so glad I remembered this. I haven't thought about it in years but the flock of geese brought it back to me...
What a small world it is. I live in Hayden... just north of CdA. It's funny to think that you and your family once lived within a few miles of where I live now
Speaking of Grandpa Scott... he is such a sweet man. I LOVED visiting with him when I was a kid. Thanks for the happ memories. :)
Corine, Your welcome. He has such a special place in the hearts of many. I am so grateful to have had his influence in my life and in the lives of my children and friends! In this way and others he will also influence my grandchildren!
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