EPISODE 138 THANKSGIVING…PUMPKING PIE TIME
alan skeoch
Oct. 10, 2020
Thanksgiving this year is like no other in all our lives. Covid 19 takes the joy … the smile…and
hides it behind a mask. The trees … the swamp … the sky …all seem to know that the season
of change is upon us.
Cheer up…Marjorie has made two PUMPKIN pies… which we thought would be eaten in
isolation then Andy and Jack drove in the lane and everything changed. The trees got
a little brighter. The pumpkin pie a little sweeter. Even Woody got a taste as he
waited patiently to lick the dishes.
But most of my readers do not know Andy and Jack. So here is
a challenge for you. Enjoy the colours for sure. But see if you
can identify the machines. What is the job they did on 19th century
farms.
These machines of the past were once the pride and joy of young farm
families…
“Alan, I do not like this Covid 19. It is ruining thanksgiving. We usually have all kinds of people
up here…with a 150 pound turkey (or thereabouts)…to day there is just you, me and Woody.
“MARJORIE, Look closely at Woody . He senses someone he knows is coming. Look at his posture.
We will not be alone, Marjorie. But please do not tell whoever Woody senses that you have
made a pumpkin pie. I want the whole damn thing.”
“Oh, Alan…it’s Andy and Jack “
“Do not tell me they look hungry….”
WILD GRAPES ARE READY. SMALL AND SWEET. CANADIAN…ONTARIO… WILD GRAPE ROOT STOCKS RESCUED THE ENTIRE
FRENCH WINE INDUSTRY WHEN A BLIGHT HIT THEIR ROOT STOCKS. NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW THAT.
THERE ARE VERY FEW SILOS MADE FROM FIELD STONES. I HAVE ONLY SEEN TWO OFTHEM AND THIS IS MY FAVOURITE BUILT
LONG AGO, AROUND1873 BY ANGUS MCLEAN AND HIS SISTERS JEAN AND JANET. OUR SON ANDREW IS GOING TO RESCUE
IT. REPAIR. ANGUS MCLEAN ONCE HAD A BLACKSMITH SHOP RIGHT WHERE THAT BIG MAPLE STANDS.
ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION OR ARE YOU THINKING OF PUMPKIN PIE?
THIS IS OUR BIGGEST POND…NOW ALMOST BONE DRY DUE TO THE HOT SUMMER. LUCKY WE EXCAVATED A DEEP
SPOT FOR THE SNAPPING TURTLE TO HIDE FOR THE WINTER…
My brother and I actually worked with this machine. Same one. it belonged to Angus McEchern. I bought it for a few dollars
just for the memories
PAUL CARON, a friend of ours, carefully crawled close to this turtle with his camera. He got a great picture then
discovered the turtle was made of cement. I bet it fooled you as well.
For those of you who have failed my identification test…THIS IS A HORSE DRAWN HAY TEDDER…ONNCE UPON A TIME
IT FLUFFED UP NEW MOWN HAY SO THE HAY WOULD DRY FAST AND KEEP ITS NUTRIENTS. THERE ARE NOT MANY OF
THESE MACHINES AROUND TODAY. I HAVE TWO OF THEM. THIS ONE HAD TWO TREES GROWING THROUGH IT. ANDY
AND HIS CHAIN SAW LIBERATED IT.
You may wonder why I am not cutting the grass. Not helping. The answer is simple
and brilliant. Marjorie does not think I do a good job. Which is true. Avoiding that kind of
work is a skill I have honed.
alan skeoch
Oct. 10, 2020