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Today is a warm 24 c and the lawn mowers are humming steadily. The squirrels are running around wildly because the owner of the lot is mowing below "their condominium" of branches, holes, and nuts. I imagine they are deep into their little burrows with their little ones until this 'usual' interruption ceases and all will return to normal. The smell of the fresh cut grass is heady and memories of "once was" return to my heart, my soul, and my happiness. Through good times and bad, I always felt comfort with the smell of life.The apple blossom brings me so many memories of where I grew up. The Okanagan is a place like no other. Everywhere you turn you will see miles of orchards. Apple, apricot, peaches, plums, & pears. We used to go to the farms and pick our own fresh tomatoes (still warm from the vine). We ate alnong the way because it was absolutely impossible not to bring up that juicy tomatoe to your mouth and bite into it as though it were an apple. We picked our own dills for pickles, zuchinni for relish, beets to pickle, jams to make. Summer holidays were very busy but we loved it.
We coordinated our family holidays and would meet at Mom & Dad's and begin our r&r by canning up to 8 hours a day for several days. We supplied ourselves with a years worth of preserves though. It was such an awesome treat for fall & winter. Those days are gone now but not in memory. The laughs, big meals, kids playing, and much love kept us closely knitted together.
The kids have all grown now and even though this tradition isn't followed as it had done for almost 15 years, I know that in my heart the families will NEVER forget those precious days. I know it brings me great comfort in knowing that I was a part of it.
I bring this to a close now as I listen to the still running lawn mower and I feel drawn to the outer doors to feel the sun upon my face. I hope your days are filled with sunshine and love as it is with mine,
Glady
