I went to a short lecture on grafting fruit trees today. Very delightful fella and his wife hosted. I can’t help but reminisce about my Great Grandfather on the drive back. I used to spend time with him in his fruit orchards in the mountains of North Carolina when I was 9-11 years old. I would help him all day and he would pay me a quarter. It wasn’t like work to me,the quarter was kind of a bonus. I got to drive a tractor, climb into trees and hang out with my Great Grandfather. He was born in 1889 and it was like time travelling talking to him. He had his odd ways and curious beliefs. I came know he employed a lot of Rudolph Steiner methods in his orchards and small farm. I thought he was just superstitious. I remember there was a lot of concern with following the moon phases, microdosing minerals and the belief that he, the animals the land the farm equipment and Grandma were all in a magical, cosmic rhythm with the universe and they all required his full attention, if he wanted to be successful and happy. They were early 20th century hippies, grew almost all their own food and lived to be very old. . Great Grandpa explained to me the idea of seeking out the good, praiseworthy, and positive aspects of all people, things, and situations. This is transformative when you can stop and remind yourself in the moment of the current shit storm, to perceive the hidden good in all things and events. I clearly remember the tractor breaking and hearing some 19th century cussing. He sits down, looks at me and says” We are going to have to go to town and get the parts for the tractor, I need to do some maintenance on that old pile anyway. While we are in town getting the parts, I am going to get that new seat cushion for her (the tractor) and that will make her look better, and if she looks good , she will run better. Speaking of, boy, why don’t you run to the house; tell Grandma we’re going to town. Going to town makes the old woman so happy and we haven’t been in ages. Hell, we’ll go to the diner for lunch, that will tickle your Grandma. Run tell her so she has plenty of time to gussy up for some scooter pootin. Instantly a shitty morning is becoming a golden day. Grandpa and I, after shopping for tractor parts, go to the drugstore for “Browns Mule” chewing tobacco for him and a Tootsie Roll for me, while my sweet little Grandma is in her going to town outfit just beaming, shopping and happy to be away from the house. We meet up with her after her day at the market and head to the diner. I’m walking behind them-they’re holding hands, in their seventies and glowing. They were not very big people, Grandpa may have been 5ft.5, Grandma 5ft. he was in his newest Liberty overalls, and fedora. She was in a crisp flowery dress and white sun bonnet, just adorable, I’m hugging them right now.
