Dave Blankenhorn: Dave's Bounty
Being Together While We’re Apart
Because we all miss our Fondren family, here are our Sequester Stories—a series of stories and photos by Fondren folks sharing what our “pandemic lives” are about.
Since this goes to our church family, I guess you could call this a second VERSE, in deference to the love Diane has for the Bell Choir. You probably know that she has been an elder in all of the several churches (and PW at all levels and jobs) that we attended during our corporate journey. Ask now for her choice to return to her favorite place to escape this horrible pandemoniac, and the Fondren Bell Choir wins easily.
First: Garden Update
Most people would ask about tomatoes. Honestly, this year's crop has not been a failure, but neither has it been a record like other years. There is enough to supply our needs, but it would have been more joy to have more to share. I remember, in years past, bringing 5 gallon buckets of tomatoes to distribute at church. That could not have happened this year. Early rains delayed planting and subsequent downpours created a muddy garden. There are still blooms, and maybe we will get more production. Thus far I have canned 1 gallon of salsa and 2+ gallons of tomato soup and dehydrated a real load of Juliets (ask Lynn Miller about this product).
Squash was a real success. It comes fast, produces a lot, and disappears quickly. We have several ways to cook and enjoy it fresh, including a great squash casserole—my favorite of all vegetables. I canned 2+ gallons squash bisque, one of my best efforts. I will probably plant more squash for a fall crop.
Butter beans and field peas are in full production now. I have already frozen some and expect to have more. Here’s an interesting fact—these butter beans don’t have a name. The seeds have been passed down through a friend’s family for over a hundred years. I joined the tradition and saved some from last year’s crop for this year. They will produce until the first frost.
Okra is in full production and will continue until frost or until I tire of harvesting and freezing it. Fried okra is a real favorite to everyone whose last name is Blankenhorn.
Green onions are growing—our second crop will be ready soon.
Garlic harvest was just o.k. My secret place to harvest was damaged by a county bush hog.
Blueberries. It was a great year—had several cobblers, and with cereal and Blue Bell ice cream. The neighbors also fared well. We all have berries in the freezer.
Figs are just ripening and I believe it will be a good year. My HAROLD (for Hudson) tree is loaded again (Jan and Warren, don’t worry—guess who they are).
Muscadine arbors are loaded for an early August harvest if the deer can be controlled.
Pickling cucumbers are almost ready for harvest and unusually good sweet pickles.
Second: Celebrations
June 19 was our 66th wedding anniversary. This year was very different than all the others. Our first was in occupied Germany, and many more in Jackson with two small sons.
Our entire family celebrated with us on two others—one in Tuscany and another in Barcelona. Our 60th was a dinner at Commander's Palace, with special gifts from our sons and their family. This year it was Diane and Dave in Madison with a take-out dinner from Amerigo. We were happy to celebrate here with the knowledge that we had our health and healthy families in NYC and Tennessee.
July 4th is a day to celebrate our nation’s birthday, and this year, for many reasons for many people, it was not given the respect that it deserves. Certainly the pandemic was a factor, along with civil unrest. With all its imperfections, America remains the best the world has to offer, and that’s why so many are anxious to come here. Diane and I chose to give thanks for our blessings and celebrate America's birthday with a traditional barbecue ribs dinner at home with Buster, listen to all the patriotic music on TV, and receive phone calls from our family.
Words cannot explain how grateful we are to have neighbors and friends that have kept us in supplies and out of harm’s way, and for Fondren friends who keep us in mind. It will be good when written sequesters are no longer needed and we’re all back together again in person.
That’s the story from Dave and Diane.