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It probably dates to a mid-summer in
the early '70's. Sophie is smiling. Urban is bored. He obviously has places
to go and things to do. If it was in color you would see that Sophie is
wearing a red felt hat and green striped shirt. The hoe she has in hand
is taller than she. They are on their way out to do irrigation. I didn't
do a very good job getting them centered in the picture, but centered
is a vastly overrated state of being. The ones that truly stand out are
the asymmetrical, off kilter, unbalanced. Casual, amateurish photographs
such as this one are very desirable today. Do you have any idea what they're
worth? More than words can say.
June returned to earlier spring type temperatures, unseasonably cold and
wet. Fruit growers in Washington's Ferry and Okanogan Counties reported
hail damage during mid month. Some cherry growers resorted to flying helicopters
over their orchards to blow dry the fruit, in an effort to reduce crop
loss due to splitting.
Despite the late rains, by the end of June, the Washington
State Agricultural Statistics Service reported that "With a water
allocation of 38 percent on junior water users from the Kittitas Reclamation
District, many farmers have used this up and were no longer irrigating...Others
generally had more senior rights and will continue to irrigate. Around
75 to 80 percent of first cutting timothy has been harvested....in areas
that didn't receive much winter precipitation and missed out on the larger
spring rain, conditions were very dry, with ponds and springs that normally
have water in late June sitting dry or nearly dry." - Source: USDA
Agricultural Statistical Service, www.nass.usda.gov/wa/cw2005/wacw0627.pdf
A "whoo-whoo-whooting" from the tree tops in the yard gives
away the presence of a Great Horned Owl. Described in one Bird Encyclopedia
as the Executioner, evidence dropped from on high suggests this mighty
bird has well earned such a reputation. But little was known about the
preference of prey by the two Screech Owls that moved into the woodshed
last month. These two now have proved to have gourmet taste for baby quail.
In previous years, we were all entertained by large families of quail
that came home to the shrubs along the driveway to roost each night, emerging
from the thicket as day dawned. As with life everywhere, dramas played
out and crises came and went, but vigilant adults and swift, whirring
flight for cover saved most from these threats. Not so this year, Grandma
and Grandpa report that the pairs of adult quail make their wandering
rounds sans chicks.
In an additional note, "You
asked about our owls and they are still at their nefarious nighttime work.
Although the baby quail remain noticeable by their absence, the mice and
gophers seem to lose their heads only after breeding. The great horned
owl is also labeled the Cat owl. I think that they pick off the cats so
that the mice/gophers will proliferate and be all theirs." - DRE,
7/3/05
Wherever Nature has commissioned one creature to
prey upon another, she has preserved the balance by forewarning that other
creature of what she has done. Nature says to the cat, "Catch the mouse,"
and she equips her for that purpose; but on the selfsame day she says
to the mouse, "Be wary,--the cat is watching for you." Nature takes care
that none of her creatures have smooth sailing, the whole voyage at least...She
has taken especial pains to enable the owl to fly softly and silently,
because the creatures it preys upon are small and wary, and never venture
far from their holes. - Source: Touches of Nature - Birds and Poets by
John Burroughs (1877)
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Here
the verse is from "Song of the Soldiers" written by Private
Miles O'Reilly in 1862. Private O'Reilly was the pseudonym of Charles
S. Halpine. Halpine was a journalist first, an officer (and gentleman)
second, who found it inconvenient or inappropriate to publish under
his own name when presenting the point of view of an uneducated
Irish soldier who was presumed to serve with the 47th New York Infantry
during the Civil War. In his own right, Halpine distinguished himself
as a member of the General Volunteers, becoming a brigadier general.
More of his biography can be found at www.civilwarpoetry.org/authors/oreilly.htm.
You can find many good reproductions of classic
Fourth
of July and Independence Holiday Postcards in the James R. Heintze,
American University, Washington, D.C. collection.
I must not close this paper without some reference
to Walt Whitman's prose writings, which are scarcely less important
than his poems. Never has Patriotism, never has the antique Love
of Country, with even doubled passion and strength, been more fully
expressed than in these contributions. They comprise two thin volumes,--now
included in "Two Rivulets,"--called "Democratic
Vistas" and "Memoranda during the War;" the former exhibiting
the personality of the poet in more vehement and sweeping action
even than do the poems, and affording specimens of soaring vaticination
and impassioned appeal impossible to match in the literature of
our time. - THE
WRITINGS OF JOHN BURROUGHS WITH PORTRAITS AND MANY ILLUSTRATIONS
VOLUME III BIRDS AND POETS WITH OTHER PAPERS.
And what, pray
tell is vaticination? Something that is divined or foretold, as
an oracle or prophecy. Now that's cleared up, we can absorb Burrough's
point that Walt Whitman may have been the greatest of all American
literary voices. Even today Whitman's reputation as an original
stands intact. He was more than an astute observer and prolific
scribbler. He was engaged in every facet of being from his observances
of nature's smallest, pedestrian bug to the lofty and spiritual
ideals of democratic existence. He did not crawl into a shell like
Emily Dickinson (who explored in depth the inner truths) but lived
largely and wholly, shaped by the powerful events of his day. Every
school child should be confronted with "O Captain! my Captain!"
or "When Lilacs Last..." until they can regurgitate them
word for word upon demand. Whitman did not abandon his love of America
even when his heart was broken by the sorrows of his day. If there
is a lesson here, it might be that old-fashioned love of country
requires one to care deeply and passionately, to speak and write
the truth. That was Whitmam's great gift.
BATTLE
OF GETTYSBURG July 4th -- The weather to-day, upon the whole,
is very fine, warm, but from a smart rain last night, fresh enough,
and no dust, which is a great relief for this city. I saw the parade
about noon, Pennsylvania avenue, from Fifteenth street down toward
the capitol. There were three regiments of infantry, (I suppose
the ones doing patrol duty here,) two or three societies of Odd
Fellows, a lot of children in barouches, and a squad of policemen.
(A useless imposition upon the soldiers--they have work enough on
their backs without piling the like of this.) As I went down the
Avenue, saw a big flaring placard on the bulletin board of a newspaper
office, announcing "Glorious Victory for the Union Army!" Meade
had fought Lee at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, yesterday and day before,
and repuls'd him most signally, taken 3,000 prisoners, &c. (I afterwards
saw Meade's dispatch, very modest, and a sort of order of the day
from the President himself, quite religious, giving thanks to the
Supreme, and calling on the people to do the same.) I walk'd on
to Armory hospital--took along with me several bottles of blackberry
and cherry syrup, good and strong, but innocent. Went through several
of the wards, announc'd to the soldiers the news from Meade, and
gave them all a good drink of the syrups with ice water, quite refreshing--prepar'd
it all myself, and serv'd it around. Meanwhile the Washington bells
are ringing their sun-down peals for Fourth of July, and the usual
fusilades of boys' pistols, crackers, and guns.
- Walt Whitman, Specimen Days
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"Still whatever fate betide us,
Children of the flag are we."
Song of the Soldiers By
PRIVATE MILES O'REILLY (1862) aka Charles
S. Halpine
Comrades, known in marches many,
Comrades, tried in dangers many,
Comrades, bound by memories many,
Brothers ever let us be.
Wounds or sickness may divide us,
Marching order; may divide us,
But, whatever fate betide us,
Brothers of the heart are we.
Comrades, known by faith the clearest,
Tried when death was near and nearest,
Bound we are by ties the dearest,
Brothers evermore to be.
And, if spared, and growing older,
Shoulder still in line with shoulder,
And with hearts no thrill the colder,
Brothers ever we shall be.
By communion of the banner,
Crimson, white, and starry banner,
By the baptism of the banner,
Children of one Church are we.
Creed nor faction can divide us,
Race nor language can divide us,
Still, whatever fate betide us,
Children of the Flag are we!
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The
FruitFromWashington.com
Archive Feature of the Month
Civil War Veterans, Fourth of July or Decoration
Day, Ortonville, Minnesota. On review in center of town, ca. 1880.
Source: Farrington Collection, ca. 1880
Location: Still Picture Records LICON, Special Media Archives Services
Division (NWCS-S), National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi
Road, College Park, MD ARC Identifier: 558761
The FruitFromWashington
Archive Feature metaphorically blows the dust off of an image or
document from our past and brings it to the light of day for a new
audience to see.
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YOUNG AND OLD From "The Water
Babies"
by Charles Kingsley (1819-1875)
When all the world is young, lad,
And all the trees are green;
And every goose a swan, lad,
And every lass a queen;
Then hey for boot and horse, lad,
And round the world away;
Young blood must have its course, lad,
And every dog his day.
When all the world is old, lad,
And all the trees are brown;
And all the sport is stale, lad,
And all the wheels run down:
Creep home, and take your place there,
The spent and maimed among:
God grant you find one face there
You loved when all was young.
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Special
Days in July -
Independence
Day - Monday, July 4, 2005
Bastille
Day - Thursday, July 14, 2005
Perseid
Meteor Shower Begins - Sunday, July 17, 2005
Moon
Day - Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Special
Days in August -
National
Friendship Day - August 7, 2005
Anniversary
Elvis's Death - August 16, 2005
Women's
Equality Day - August 26, 2005
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DEEDS OF KINDNESS
Suppose the little Cowslip
Should hang its golden cup
And say, "I'm such a little flower
I'd better not grow up!"
How many a weary traveller
Would miss its fragrant smell,
How many a little child would grieve
To lose it from the dell!
Suppose the glistening
Dewdrop
Upon the grass should say,
"What can a little dewdrop do?
I'd better roll away!"
The blade on which it rested,
Before the day was done,
Without a drop to moisten it,
Would wither in the sun.
Suppose the little Breezes,
Upon a summer's day,
Should think themselves too small to cool
The traveller on his way:
Who would not miss the smallest
And softest ones that blow,
And think they made a great mistake
If they were acting so?
How many deed of kindness
A little child can do,
Although it has but little strength
And little wisdom too!
It wants a loving spirit
Much more than strength, to prove
How many things a child may do
For others by its love.
- Epes Sargent (1813-1880)
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Q&A
from the FruitFromWashington Mailbag--
Q:
I have been given permission to start a victory garden
in Kitsap County, WA. Our church is going to allow us
to use their property. The children and I want to grow
produce to donate to local food ministries. Any information/advise
you have to offer would be appreciated. Thank you. - A.M.,
5/20/05
A:
Sounds like a great project. Be sure to take advantage
of your local resources. Most counties still maintain
an Extension Service office. Find out if there's one available
in your area. The Extension Service employees are very
willing to work with the public on all kinds of home,
farm or land improvement projects. Many offer a "Master
Gardener" program. I hope that there's one in your area
for you to tap into for specific advice and help. The
Extension office in our County was a place where classes
were held, where we could pick up brochures or booklets
on just about any farm/home subject including 4-H, animal
care, fabrics and textiles, cooking and baking recipes,
and gardening. It was a fun and instructional place. The
Extension Service also has information available online.
Here is a link to their website for your area: http://kitsap.wsu.edu/
You'll find that there are publications listed that contain
advice particularly suited to your part of the State which
should be very helpful in growing a successful garden.
Here is a link to one such booklet you can download for
free (you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent program
to view) - http://cru84.cahe.wsu.edu/cgi-bin/pubs/EB0422.html?id=qUBoxGzH
Good luck! Have fun! - C.E.
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Months
of July/August Feature Recipe
Fruit & Chicken Pasta Salad
Quick to make...uses up chicken leftovers...serves
6. Adapted from Quick and Healthy, Low-Fat Cooking (Edited
by Jean Rogers, Rodale Press, Inc., 1994)
3 c. rotelle pasta (tricolor makes a pretty salad)
1-1/2 c. cubed cooked chicken
1 c. cantaloupe, cubed
1 c. seedless grapes
1/2 c. drained crushed pineapple
1/2 c. diced apples or pears
2 T. raisins
1 c. plain yogurt
1 T. honey
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1/3 c. minced fresh mint
1/3 c. minced fresh parsley
1 small head lettuce, washed and torn
2 T. sunflower seeds
Cook the rotelle pasta in boiling water for 10 minutes or until
tender. Drain, rinse with cold water. Place cooled pasta in large
salad bowl.
Add chicken and fruit. Toss well.
Make dressing in a small bowl by combining yogurt, honey and vinegar.
Whisk together. Stir in mint and parsley. Pour over salad and toss
again. Serve over a bed of lettuce. Garnish with sunflower seeds.
For more fruit salad recipes
(using Fruit From Washington apples and pears) see FruitFromWashington
Salad Recipes!
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ENTERING A LONG FARM-LANE
As every man has his hobby-liking, mine is for a real farm-lane fenced
by old chestnut-rails gray-green with dabs of moss and lichen, copious
weeds and briers growing in spots athwart the heaps of stray-pick' d stones
at the fence bases--irregular paths worn between, and horse and cow tracks--all
characteristic accompaniments marking and scenting the neighborhood in
their seasons--apple-tree blossoms in forward April--pigs, poultry, a
field of August buckwheat, and in another the long flapping tassels of
maize--and so to the pond, the expansion of the creek, the secluded-beautiful,
with young and old trees, and such recesses and vistas. - Walt Whitman,
Specimen Days
Eastern
Washington acreage for sale
Vanderbilt Country Estates (VCE) is located within the orchard districts
of the south hills of the Kittitas Valley in central Washington, on the
eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. Covenants are attached to land
sales to protect the overall quality of the entire development.
VCE features amenities
such as a pedestrian and equestrian trail system for the private use of
members of this rural development. Some of the Phase II lots that are
currently available are about three acres to about seven acres in size
and prices vary accordingly. New residents may either farm their own open
land or have it farmed for them contractually to preserve the current
tax status. (Click
for more).
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It's
the usual state of affairs in the orchard during the summer months with
all the steps taken to grow a good crop to size between now and harvest.
So we'll leave it to it and take this moment for a backward look. 