Boy, are we ever scrambling lately. Besides harvesting here and there and drying beans and corn, saving seeds, and canning, I’ve been kind of crazy. We had the best crop of Who Gets Kissed sweet corn this year. I didn’t think we’d get any as I planted it so late and it never got weeded. Nice 12-inch cobs and lots of them! Then, of course, there is the firewood, which we’re getting in like mad as we’re really late doing so. They had even forecast a blizzard for the second week in October, which is unheard of for us — but definitely possible. That really put the pressure on! Mittens just lies on the driveway, supervising all the work.
Of course, we didn’t get it done, or the blizzard, thank God! But we’re definitely working hard now. Will has been cutting up all the dozens of big piles of logs while I’ve been pulling in some of the last pole beans and stringing up corn to dry for seed. I helped grandson, Drew, split a big pile of his firewood, which he stores under the house as it’s raised on pillars, to keep it nice and dry. I ran the splitter and he handled the wood. Yesterday our friends, Kevin and Kathy drove up from Duluth with the gift of several bushels of Seneca Sunrise sweet corn on the cob that she got mostly dried down. We really enjoyed their visit and were overwhelmed by their thoughtful gifts.
Today, I’ve absolutely got to can the last of our tomatoes! They’re slowly going bad on the front porch, but I simply haven’t had time to can them. I feel pretty bad about that. I always can some diced tomatoes to add to our chili. They’re a little labor intensive as I peel them before dicing, as that’s the way we prefer them. No, I don’t always peel the other tomatoes. We don’t even notice them in finely chopped recipes, such as salsa or tomato sauce.
Will’s busy sawing up the last (he thinks) of the firewood logs while I’m blogging and getting ready to can. When all that’s done, we’ll split another couple loads of wood until dark. Whew, I feel like a chipmunk, getting ready for winter! But all the work is also a blessing as it will keep us fed and cozy, no matter what comes.
— Jackie
