Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Grandson of San Joaquin
The rains have come and worklife has moments lately where I feel like I am chained to a diner booth am forced to drink a bottomless cup of coffee. So I think about very big skies and temperatures of over 100. In August, I visited relations in the part of the country where my father grew up, "mid-way between Bakersfield and Fresno" was how my my grandmother used to describe her coordinates.
This former feedlot, now dairy farm, is the most memorable landmark near where my family has farmed for over seventy years. I was beginning to doubt the GPS instructions when I saw this structure and new I was in the right place.
This is Spot, noble farm dog and pickup partner for my uncle when he does his water rounds during the day. He truly has the dog's life, if it gets too warm he lays under a tree, on the cool porch or a wet row or ditch, like the one he stands next to here.
During the summer, a farmer's irrigation concerns are 24/7. Over the few days I spent with family, I could not help but be exceptionally impressed by the amount of skill, concentration, problem solving and endurance it takes to grow crops. I came away from my visit with amounts of admiration for those who are engaged and are successful at this activity.
Spend some time in the San Jaoquin and a trip to the grocery store will be met with a new appreciation. For instance, here is the first stop for those prunes we have in the fridge in that yellow and purple tub. My aunt was amused by my city boy mis-identification of trees and crops we drove by. "Those are walnut trees, right?" "No, those are prune trees." You know, that kind of thing. I look forward to revisiting this country again in the Spring.
posted by well-executed buffet at 6:59 AM
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