Sunday, April 26

Memories: The Farm in Springtime

This time of year, memories of the farm in springtime come to mind. There were so many delightful sights, sounds and smells to enjoy.

The orchard was right behind our house and I would awaken to the fragrance of apple blossoms drifting in the open window, along with the sweet music of birdsong...a glorious way to start the day.

Around the house, the feather ticks and quilts were aired and every room was cleaned from top to bottom. Curtains were either washed or replaced, depending on their condition. Floors were stripped, scrubbed and given a new coat of wax. If painting or wallpapering needed to be done, this was the time to do it. The house was filled with hustle and bustle during the spring...the busiest time of the year for housework.

In the fields, the earth was plowed, cultivated and sown. If our chores were done, we kids would follow along behind to look for arrowheads and pieces of pottery that were turned up.

In the garden, the earth was tilled, raked and seeds were sown. Beans, corn, potatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins and squash were planted, along with all other types of vegetables that would keep the table replenished throughout the long winter months.

In the barn and barnyard, new babies made their appearance and were welcomed into the world. Calves, foals, piglets, chicks, ducklings, goslings and other babies filled the barnyard with their voices to create a cacophony of noise. The barnyard pond was an interesting place. Along with all the waterfowl were frogs, tadpoles, turtles and other creatures that piqued a child's interest.

In the orchard, apple and pear trees were pruned in February so they would be healthy when the blossoms appeared in spring. We were always thankful when there wasn't a hard frost or hail storm that would damage the fruit of the season. When it was fully developed and ripe, it would all be picked and preserved.

Spring on the farm was a feast for the senses and my favorite time of year. It was a time of rebirth for all things...a time to celebrate life in all of its glory. A time that I would love to experience once again.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Remember to do a random act of kindness. Even a smile can mean so much to someone who has the weight of the world on their shoulders. ~Blessings, Mary~

21 comments:

  1. Oh, thanks so much for coming by tonight. It is always so good to hear from you.
    I loved this post....sometimes, we want to go back so BAD we can taste it but...you can't ever go back, can you? I've got memories of the best times...and I, too, would love to experience them for just a tiny while...just one more time!!
    xo bj

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  2. Loved this post also... and I can still do all those things. We don't do fields of corn, tobacco, cotton, etc.. but the young animals and gardens are still happening around here. And of course the fields across the road are planted each year with a rotation of crops.

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  3. gosh what a childhood mary, wonderful memories :-)

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  4. mary, as always you have painted a lovely memory with your words. Thank you!
    ~AM

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  5. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmm, what a glorious awakening this morning for me. To go back in time. I found myself at my grandmother's farm. Collecting eggs in the hen house and then traipsing around with all the farm field hands and just learning and playing and enjoying the whole countryside.

    Thanks for the memories.

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  6. What memories! I think children of today are missing out and lead a boring life in comparison. Your post led me to the dictionary, cacophony is now in my vocabulary.

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  7. What happened to the farm?

    I remember Spring cleaning. We girls and Mother had so much fun. Sometimes we'd decide to swap bedrooms, move the furniture from place to place. My Daddy laughingly said he was afraid to come home in the dark because he wouldn't know where the furniture was.
    Such good memories.
    I have one in mind to write but haven't had time yet.
    Mama Bear

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  8. I would like to go back to my childhood on the farm too. It was fun to read your memories!

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  9. I always love to read of your memories on the farm, dear Mary. Spring certainly was a busy season but I can well imagine the sense of satisfaction once everything was planted and growing, as well as having so many new baby animals. You're so making me wish I had been raised on a farm! lol xoxo

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  10. Indeed, those are precious memories. Although we didn't grow up on a farm, we did visit one and I remember those times as good times. :)

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  11. How nice this was to read..those wonderful memories that stick in our heads..Mine was similar today too..Hm!! nice hearing from you..Sandy

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  12. Such great memories...felt like I was there with you...

    Loved this.

    Have a great week

    Love, Jess

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  13. I enjoyed reading your farm memories! My grandparents had a farm and I would spend summers with them, sweet memories!

    Katherine

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  14. I really liked this post. Have a wonderful week my friend....m.

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  15. Mary a time and a place that we all would love to relive..those were the days wern't they.I did not live on the farm but those memories of around the house sure were sweet memories!
    Thank you dearest one for stopping by and giving me a nudge this way. Life is stressfilled these days and I find it hard to focus on blogging. Loved my visit with you. hugs NG xo

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  16. There's something poignantly nostalgic about a fine spring day.

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  17. What wonderfull thoughts of spring!

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  18. What a delightful post!!! Nothing like the good ole days, huh? Don't you just love great memories like that? I sometimes wich I could go back to my childhood for just a day even. How the years change things.....

    Beautifully expressed, too, Mary! One can certianly tell you are a writer!

    ((( HUGS )))

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  19. It should read.....certainly, not certianly.

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