O Pioneers
September 14, 2011 
We're preparing for a frost tonight.
Darn tootin'.
Thaaaat's right... Even though it is technically still summer, we Minnesotans are preparing for a frost.
The good news is: the weather sounds lovely from tomorrow on. The bad news is: tonight = frost.
I'm a little out of sorts about it... The worry that my hard earned garden harvest might suffer. In some ways it's not all that big of a deal... A lot of things in the garden are about done anyway. On the other hand, I've got a truckload of pumpkins and squash out there that I am not about to part with, so this evening we'll be spending some time covering everything up with blankets.
This morning I spent more time than I would have liked making tomato sauce from the tomatoes from our garden. I was a little out of sorts about that, too. Making tomato sauce is a long, arduous process. At least it seems that way to me. And since the tomatoes are composed of so much moisture, which is hopefully discarded during this process, you end up with a lot of work and just a little sauce. I just tell myself to enjoy the task, even if I don't end up with quart upon quart of tomato sauce. It is still worth it.
As I took out a bag of frozen sweet potato fries and put them on a pan and popped them in the oven for lunch, I was struck with the thought, "What if the vegetables we had harvested from our garden this year were it? What if that were to be all we would have until another harvest next year? What if we were like the pioneers, who only had what they were able to grow off the land?"
We would be sorely lacking. Even with all our hard work this spring and summer to get our garden going and keep it going, we have relatively little show for it. And what if the frost tonight destroyed the precious pumpkins and squash we are patiently waiting for? Can you imagine? Living through an entire winter, spring, and even part of summer without fresh produce at your beck and call?
Those pioneers of this frozen tundra... They were unsung heroes. I don't know how they did it.
What I do know is I suddenly have an urge to check out O Pioneers! from the library and read up a little on the subject.
While snuggled up in a blankie.
And eating soup.
And sipping hot chocolate.
And listening to Garrison Keillor on the radio.
An impending frost will do that to ya'.
Gardening
Reader Comments (4)
Oh my, this darn frost warning. I'm in the same boat.................hoping my pumpkins and squash make it thru the night.
No frost yet!!!!
I'm not ready. It has definitely been cooler. I've been watching the weather like a hawk because there is so much just on the cusp of ripening.
JUST beginning to get tomatoes.
Oh by the way.....take a picture of all that canning effort. I LOVE pictures of that.
Pretty jars all sparkely and full waiting for a cold winter day to be enjoyed.
I want canned tomtato goodness - IN MY BELLY!!, send me some and I'll send you some peaches - dealio?