Re-tooling for the Fall

Re-tooling the schedule for the school day has its own special challenges. The days of free wheeling out the door off to the bean patch and tomato field consumed in thoughts related to agriculture and the harvest are primarily shelved. Now it is the flurry of activity related to lunches, clothing, homework, music art, sports and transportation.

The mornings start just as early but for entirely different reasons. The coffee becomes a necessary ritual to combat the cobwebs of the nights rest and stimulate the mind for quick response and action.. Perhaps a second cup will come later after the madness dissipates for a few hours. The daily scramble starts quickly and ends fast as the bus never seems to be late.

After the morning rush hour the Schoolhouse Farmer begins the rest of the day. The portion of the day dedicated to things grown and harvested. The Heirloom tomatoes lie in a huge colorful mosaic pattern as the green leaves have primarily died off exposing the bright colored fruit. It is a rainbow of colors waiting to be harvested. The frost has not brought the season to an end. The farmer carefully collects the best to process for the season ahead. Time grows short as the school day is not long nor is the available sun light. The Schoolhouse farmer works with quiet purpose absorbing the reality of the seasons impending conclusion.

Beautiful jars of Quince paste, Quince jam and Tomato conserve fill the table. An incredible aroma fills the kitchen as the steam clouds the windows. The thought of impending cold has been temporarily put on the back burner. The threat of frost has moved farther away and so the fall harvest will continue for a couple more weeks.

The air is filled with swirling blasts of colorful leaves and the smell of crisp fall air. The sun peeks out from the clouds often enough that the windows still need to be cracked allowing in the sound of migrating geese and cackling free roaming chickens. The frantic panicked pace of September is turning into a regular routine as October begins. It is time to grab a cup of tea and wander the garden in hopes of finding an illusive late season treasure as well as to gather the seeds for the 2009 season offerings. But hang on the goats have escaped and are heading for the Swiss chard!* Quick get me the phone it is time to put an end to this! *Read Running with the Goats.

Richard Malcom
The Schoolhouse Farmer