A Moment in M.O.M.’s Garden

The children and I have been busy cleaning out the plants from our first crop. This midwest heat and humidity have been a new experience for the Wood family and yet, we love this place that the Lord has given us. Surely our boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places! The bounty from the first crop has come in from the garden and been eaten or put away for winter days. Tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, cucumbers, and even some pumpkins have been brought in and turned into pumpkin pie mix for our Thanksgiving celebration.  We still have watermelon that are getting close to being gathered up. Otherwise the garden is getting quiet. This time of year takes perseverance. The details of harvest can become exhausting and overwhelming.  Yet, life experience tells me that I need to plant again so we can, Lord willing, bring in another harvest before the first frost hits.

The pear trees are drooping with an abundance of fruit that is almost ready to pick and enjoy! One of the details about a large family is the amount of food that we consume. In order to enjoy some fruit and produce in season as well, as put some away for winter takes an enormous amount of trees and plants. The apple trees are almost ready as well. Oh, what sweet treats!

There is a cycle of life on the farm. Planting, growing, harvesting, dying, composting and then back to planting again. It is a cycle that I try to become part of without causing to much disruption. As I work in the garden, my heart is thankful for all the little details as well as the baskets that overflow. I am thankful for the late nights over the hot water baths (not for me but my jars!), the sticky counters that need to be washed after cleaning and preparing produce, and the ‘leftovers’ that we were able to feed to the chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks.

Long, hot summer days filled with much work remind me that we are blessed!

With much love,

Mrs. Joseph Wood