Land Gifts vw#5 – Nature’s Food Bank
Today as I glanced out the kitchen window, a movement caught my eye. There they were, the makers of the tracks I‘d observed on the snow for the last 2 weeks! California Quail, approximately a dozen of them at the top of the lower orchard, running around on the new snow and thrusting their little heads down (while never mussing their curved head plumes) retrieving the food they had come for.
I suddenly realized what was feeding them. Why, it was last year’s apple harvest which had been so plentiful, so late, and with so many small-sized fruits! I hadn’t picked many; just the biggest ones, disdaining the small ones. I was too busy with other priorities; too hot, too tired.
Now, as I watched the busy cluster of these beautiful creatures, I felt my heart healing a small weight that I had been carrying since last fall’s abundant harvest (or should I say, my non-harvest?). Having been raised by my parents, both of whom were children of the depression and a pre-social-services government, I am deeply instilled in the moral imperative of not wasting food and fiber. I had been feeling somewhat guilty for leaving so much good food on the old apple tree.
As I watched the quail families, I
understood the lesson. I am forgiven for “wasting” these apples. Nature is
compensating for my deficiencies and transforming my neglect into her own bounteous
food bank. Our quail families were feasting on the apple seeds, the fallen
grass seeds, and maybe even on the remaining shriveled fruit lying under and being
softened by the snow.
Again, the Land Gives!
I love this for several reasons! One is the breaking of guilt for not always harvesting for, like you, my parents coming out of, not only the depression but where wasting even the smallest piece of just about anything could cause hardship. Our learning to trust natures goodness so those beautiful birds could thrive. your whole pot warms my heart!!
ReplyDelete"post" not "pot":) What you wrote remined me of "Braiding Sweetgrass" and what I learned in Alaska ~ to only take what you can or will use, leaving the rest.to be so deeply grateful and ~ notice the beautiful results ~ the quail. What our world needs to learn so we stand in balance on the earth. I feel a sermon coming so will stop for now. Thank you for our words!
ReplyDeleteA sermon ... good place to stop for a comment! Hee, hee. Yes, I have to remind myself often to just be present from time to time and not be rushing off to the next "priority."
ReplyDeleteRegarding "leaving the rest": I guess that is not very good gardening conventionally? Aren't we supposed to clean up and dispose of to minimize disease?
ReplyDeleteIs your hope/plan to garden conventionally in the orchard? Or see what can take place since an orchard in your high desert country is an outside introduction to begin wit? My only experience was in Two Rock where grazing animals (deer as well as livestock), yellow jackets, etc. did any cleanup over time.
ReplyDeleteVery good observation, Carol! No, I can't see my garden/orchards as ever approaching conventionality. I know that I work best WITH Nature; it's just too much effort and energy to fight it. Even a more natural approach requires much effort!
ReplyDelete