Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Farm Stand Reflections


When I went back to college a few years ago, I did not know it would lead to this...
 
    I am sitting on a hot day in August on the side of a busy highway.  In front of me, there is a table partially covered in a red-striped cloth.  A basket overflows with sweet Walla Walla onions.  Beside them is a display of yellow cooking onions.  So far, no one else has noticed them.  Traffic flies by.  Busy people are on their way to somewhere.  But to me, these onions tell the story of my year.

     In the winter, I ordered seeds and onions sets.  In spring, I planted.  All summer, I hoed and weeded and watered.  Now, as cool nights and hints of color in the maple leaves remind me of Autumn's approach, I have harvested and cleaned these onions.
 
  I think they are beautiful.  They are large, and for the most part, unblemished.  They were grown with nothing but nature and good old fashioned exertion.

    So, I sit here, alone with my thoughts, as the cars fly past.

     It strikes me that life is like a maze; full of twists and turns, false starts and dead ends.  It doubles back on itself sometimes.  I wonder... am I spiraling out, away from the center of things, or flowing in toward the heart?

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you a heart full of gratitude.





7 comments:

Debbie said...

Smiling softly and wishing I could stop by for a visit and some onions.

Pom Pom said...

Hmmmmm. I like the mystery. We don't know for sure where we'll be in a year's time. I find that comforting.

Nan said...

I hope someone stopped!!

Marcie said...

Thank you, friends, for the comments. Eventually, people stopped. Between there and the flea market on Sunday, I sold close to 100 onions. Sold more in a few minutes time to a local grocery store, but at half the price. Trying to decide which is the best way to go. I think farming (like quilting) is one of those occupations where you are better off not to calculate your earnings per hour of labor! lol.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Thank you for your comment
and yes, life is a mystery, but really so good. Wish I could have stopped by for some of your onions.
Write me sometime and let me know of life at this time. Is this a farmhouse and land you found ?
Somedays my work load and pain is so great I think can I stay here
and this morning with dawn breaking, doors open, scent of nature in the air - my thoughts
tell me
I can never leave this special plot of lant...

Marcie said...

Ernestine, I hear that connection you have with your land in much of your writing. I think the term is "a sense of place." I really feel that as I read your blog posts.

Thank you for visiting. I will write an email soon! :)

The Vegan Gypsy said...

I wonder how much it would cost to send onions from you to me..only half kidding! I would love a taste of your garden. :)