Let the earth bring forth grass, plants yielding seed of each kind, and trees bearing fruit of each kind

2009-11-22T09:53:37-05:00

And God said "Let the earth bring forth grass, plants yielding seed of each kind, and trees bearing fruit of each kind, that has its seed within it upon the earth." And so it was... And god saw that it was good, and it was evening and it was morning. A third day.

My Dad had four passions, one he cultivated, poorly, but with great gusto. That was golf. Another, his garden, -vegetables (tomatoes in particular), not flowers, was merely an ornament, a backdrop for his third and fourth passions. The third passion was listening on the radio to the Boston Red Sox baseball broadcasts. The fourth, and the greatest passion was drinking; beer, and when feeling flush with cash, boilermakers.

I do remember that the bible is loaded with "begats". A quick google search on the word "begat" gave me the following:

Though it may not be initially obvious, the “boring begats” are some of the most fruitful, comforting, and compelling verses in the entire Bible. ...

I didn't click on the link, but that writer needs to get a hobby. I am sure, one day, I will offer my opinion on the use of "begat" in the bible. Not today.

We are the children of our parents. Even if so inclined, no matter how hard we try, we can't escape the long period of ancestral indoctrination. Patterns, habits are stamped genetically and through long hours of life in the home.

My Dad begat for me (proper grammatical use of begat can await the "begat" post) many things, but I do offer thanks for the introduction to the vegetable garden. My early years were in the city, some in a housing project: steel doors, fences and asphalt. I have no memories of murder or violent crime. Bad things did happen. I'll have to answer to god for one such act if it comes to that (I don't think "youthful indiscretion" will cut it, but, that excuse is in the mix).

Soon after we moved to the suburbs my Dad bought a shovel and a pitchfork. I was enlisted to start digging. He wanted a garden. The Tomato was the crown prince of our family garden. Flowers had no place in the backyard garden. My Mom did have me plant a few seeds and bulbs in the front of the house, but my Dad didn't care about the front. The backyard was his kingdom. As he sat in his lounge chair, beer in hand, the Red Sox baseball game, or sports jocks yacking on the transistor radio, he would stare at his tomatoes growing taller, laden with fruit. This was his kingdom dappled in the golden hues of the setting sun.

Burpee Hybrid tomato was introduced by W. Atlee Burpee Co. in 1945. I believe my memory is failing me, because I thought that we grew Early Girls in our garden. However, "Early Girl has been a perennial favorite among gardeners since the 1970s, when it was introduced to the United States from France."

We were a meat and potato (a Celtic) family, so the addition of some tomato slices separated us from the rabble. I don't think I have a happier memory (maybe a few games of cribbage) of my Dad than when he was able to present ripe, red (scarlet maybe better describes the color), perfect slices of tomato on a plate accompanied by a little salt.

O God,
who has commanded us
to honor our father and mother:
in your mercy
have pity on the souls of my father and mother
and forgive them their trespasses;
and make me to see them again
in the joy of everlasting brightness. Amen.

I have no direct proof of a a druid in my immediate family tree, but I have no doubt that a half day of research would reveal more than one or two examples of cattle rustling in branches of this swineherd's tree. The man known as Johnny Appleseed was really named John Chapman, born in Massachusetts on September 26, 1774. Popular folklore has Johnny spreading apple trees throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio through generosity. This isn't entirely true, as he planted trees as nurseries and returned periodically to tend them and claim whatever profits sales of trees generated; although usually a small amount. Trees were sold on credit. I guess my Dad was like Johnny. There was a price for my introduction, those early lessons on gardening. That's the one thing about "credit". Interest is added to the bill, day after day, through trial,turmoil, rain or shine. That small seed, lovingly (I believe) planted, that childhood advice "dig deep, the roots, need room", comes at a high cost. We pay, and pay. Amen for today. We'll continue tomorrow:

And God said "Let there be lights in the vaults of the heavens to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs for the fixed times and for days and years, and they shall be lights in the vaults of the heavens to give light upon the earth. And God made the two great lights, the greater light to dominate the day and the lesser light to dominate the night and the stars. ... And god saw that it was good, and it was evening and it was morning. A forth day.

May I recommend for your enjoyment: The gathering of waters He called seas, and god saw that it was good

Also, of a lighter tone, may I recommend for your enjoyment: Earl, you're outta luck. Mary Anne's a 4 H'er.

You may also enjoy reading: Sometimes I have believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.

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Waldo County, situated in mid-coast Maine along scenic Penobscot Bay, has genuine New England character evidenced by working port towns and quaint rural villages. Visitors are awed by the area's unspoiled beauty. From striking coastal views to sweeping mountain vistas, dramatic natural settings abound. In addition great care has been taken to preserve and refurbish numerous historic landmarks, homes and buildings. Consequently, the Maine of yesteryear is still found here.

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Let the earth bring forth grass, plants yielding seed of each kind, and trees bearing fruit of each kind