Harvest Time

Cynthia Allen-Linck

August 9, 2008

There is something so luscious about seeing the fruits of summer languishing in the fields or bending the tree branches that it often inspires thievery in some people. Who of us hasn’t heard a story of someone stealing watermelons under the cover of darkness?! Pumpkins are prime targets for pranksters in the fall. Mr. MacGregor isn’t the only one to have problems with thieves in the garden. Anything out in the open is fair game it seems.

All the sweetness to be had is just too much of a temptation I guess. And oh so sweet it is. Melons, and berries, peaches, plums, pears, apples and grapes.... Endless possibilities for sure. Of course you can just eat your heart’s desire right off the tree or vine. But you could opt for jams and jellies, pies and cobblers, maybe some pickles, or try your hand at some homemade wine. It’s all good!

I remember as a child at my Great Uncle John’s farm helping to pick berries. They were sweet and warm from the sun. There were blackberries, and raspberries. What we didn’t eat in the berry patch got mixed together in the kitchen. I sat on the hearth with my bowl of berries - plain thank you. Dad and Uncle John had theirs with fresh cows cream. Yes, I said fresh. Like still warm from the cow in the yard! I passed on the cream saying I preferred mine naked. Uncle John looked at me and shook his head ..... then with a smile offered up his beautiful bowl of bright berries and creamy white goodness.... and said "You can’t get too much of this baby girl". I’m told tree ripened peaches are equally as good served up in the same manner.

We have a couple of peach trees, a couple of apricot trees, and a few blackberry vines. Not a grandiose orchard yet, but we are working on it. There were enough berries this year for a nice big cobbler. Not bad for their third year.

I don’t think we are destined to have apricots. We have had problems with the blossoms freezing in the spring. Last year there were lots of apricots - - but that late freeze got them! It looked like we had grown raisin trees! This year was looking good. We made it through the freezes and frosts and the trees were laden with golden fruit. But.... wouldn’t you know.... every one of them had a worm in it!

So, we set our sights on the peach crop! Our 2 trees suffered no damage from the ice storm. The blossoms made it through the spring frosts. There were peaches on the trees! Our little 3rd year trees were going to give us enough peaches to say we had our first real crop. We looked at them nearly every day- checking their progress - waiting. They were small, but healthy peaches, and finally they were ripe. We were going to have fresh peach pie! Maybe even some homemade peach ice cream. As we approached the trees with our baskets in hand we stopped short.... staring in disbelief.... SOMEONE STOLE THE PEACHES!

****************************
desire
smoldering like peat below the surface
waiting for exposure
to burst into the flame of passion
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~**~ Luna ~**~
(1999)

I have never been to the Moon
but I've felt Her pulling me toward the light
drawing me in to get lost in the iridescent glow
surrounded by the smooth darkness of the night
ancient shining orb of many phases among the stars
guiding lives thru the ages
did the Old Ones unlock the mystery
of the Goddess ruling earthly tides from her lunar realm

A Secret
Invader of Peace-
Interrupter of Sleep.

01-14-02

The Ruin
(1980)

Many storms have passed over the cabin.
The years have plagued and eroded its walls.
Only the faint outline of a foundation remains.
How long has it been there?
What kind of life was sought in its shelter?
The stream running nearby is only a trickle now.
Stone steps were crafted down the bank
To make access to water easier.
Who was the builder?
Was he a trapper of long ago,
Or a fugitive seeking refuge in the wilderness?
Generations have come and gone since its beginning.
Nature has taken over the obliteration of the cabin.
Trees have grown amidst the foundation stones.
Grass covers the pathway to the stairway.
The steps are broken and falling into the stream bed.
The cabin is gone,
Taking with it the answers to the mysteries.
Where once the hearth glowed,
Where once life thrived,
Now, nothing but the ruin.

My Ozark Mountain Dulcimer
(1977)

The crafter’s hand so sure and slow,
Makes the wood with lustre glow.
The lovely sounds from mellow strings,
Give the joy that music brings.
Although it’s just a simple tool,
It seems to me a priceless jewel.
It brings the sounds of by-gone days,
That warm my heart in many ways.
I’ll treasure long this precious thing,
That gives my heart a song to sing.
Praise the muse who worked his craft,
Bringing joy forever aft.

Sir Gawain and I
(1980)

When the winter wind is blowing
And on the hill it’s snowing
I get such a warm feeling in me
When on the bookshelf I see
"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"
A familiar, welcome sight.
I take the pages in my hand
And already I’m in that wonderful land.
With Gawain I journey far and near
And I can sometimes even hear
The joyous laughter in Arthur’s hall
Just before the Green Knight comes to call.
But alas I am sitting still
While the snow falls on the hill.

Riddle
(1980)

I am guided firmly by a master
I am a creator or I am an imitator
I have the colors of a rainbow
I can be pushed or I can be pulled.
Unguided, I am nothing; Guided, I can be anything.

Vision Collage 04-08

(photo by my friend Patsy Terrell)

Living A Passionate Life

clocks mark the passing of time

as I seek to unlock the door

to a world of fiery passions

The passion for balance

a life well fed

by positive thoughts

whole foods

and simple pleasures

The passion for beauty

smooth stones in a stream

leaves of color

and daisies from a lover

The passion for creativity

pottery from the earth and hand

music for the soul

poetry from the heart

The passion for Spirituality

the guiding moon

uniting mind body and soul

The passion for adventure

to see feel smell and taste

an ocean

choosing the happiness

of a passionate life

filled with

gratitude and desire

Live Daily
(2005)

Delight in the ordinary
Appreciate beauty
Inspire creativity
Learn from the universe
Yearn for peace

Love unconditionally
Indulge your passions
Feel deeply
Enjoy the simple things

Who Am I ~ What Do I Want to Be
(2004)

To others I am
a mother
a wife
a daughter
a sister
a friend
a secretary
a healer
a cook
a gardener
a housekeeper
a banker
a chauffeur

I want
to be a better writer
to be a singer
to be self sufficient
to be less to everyone and more to me

Creating a Monster

by Cynthia Allen-Linck
07-10-08

We have come a long way from the sourdough of the pioneers. I am sure that many of you have been blessed with a gift of Herman the Sourdough Starter. Herman is a delightfully active little creature that you keep in the refrigerator. You lovingly stir him daily and "feed" him on the 1st and 5th days before using part of him on the 10th day to make wonderful baked goods. Herman makes delicious cookies, cakes, pancakes, and of course breads.

On a warm Sunday morning I created Herman 2 (I killed Herman 1 somehow). I put him into a ½ gallon glass jar and sat him on the counter. I was gone for a bout 3 hours and when I came home, there was bubbling sourdough all down the sides of the jar and pooling around the base of the jar. So... I put the active little fellow into the refrigerator.

Each day I stirred Herman 2 and realized right away that he was quite aggressive. He was difficult to handle. I feared he was going to outgrow his jar! On Thursday, the 5th day, I dutifully fed my baby, and he continued to grow by incredible proportions.

On the following Sunday, I opened the refrigerator (just 7 days after the birth of Herman 2) to find the zinc lid - with a glass insert - on the jar was bulging from extreme pressure inside the jar. I was scared to open it for fear something would break. I carefully removed the lid, and before I could lay it on the counter the beast within was flowing from the top of the jar like lava from a volcano!

I baked bread and cake and started over with my very active friend. I mistakenly thought Herman 2 would settle down and be "normal. Not so. In that second week I fed him Sunday and on Thursday - then had to bake again the next Sunday! I had bred a 7 day Herman somehow! I created a monster capable of mutating out of control if I did not keep an eye on him. I didn’t want the creature to sprout legs and take over the farm! Maybe Herman 2 was attempting to exact his revenge for the murder of Herman 1.

Create your own Herman..... if you dare....

Herman Yeast Starter
2 cups warm water 1 T sugar
2 cups flour 1 T yeast
Combine in a large glass container. Cover with a towel. Put in a warm draft free place. Stir 2-3 times a day for about 3 days or until starter is bubbly and produces a yeasty aroma. Cover and refrigerate.

When you bake (or share), use all but 1 cup of Herman. Then replenish by doing the following:

Stir Herman every day.

Day 1 - Feed Herman 1 cup flour, 1 cup of milk, and ½ cup of sugar.
Day 5 - Feed Herman again.
Day 10 - Bake or share.

Try these:

Sourdough Biscuits
1 cup Herman starter 1 cup flour
1/4 t. baking soda pinch of salt
Mix well. Using a tablespoon, drop onto ungreased baking sheet. Let stand for 10 minutes, then bake in 375 degree oven for 15 minutes. Serve warm with lots of butter and jelly!