Annual Newsletter 2000
Dear Friends,
As girl growing up on a farm, I seem to judge the quality of the approaching day by the sun streaming into my east bedroom window. If i am jolted awake by this brilliance, the day seemed cheerful and well begun. If it was cloudy, the day loomed uneventful as I tried to go back to sleep. A wise man once said “observation is more of the mind than vision.” While reality and perception can widely differ, the growing season has been beset by cloudy days and persistent rains. This unwelcome consistency interferes with ideals. Thus, the urge to sleep in.
Home is where the heart is, but the heart must roam. These are words that the Gammie family has brought new meaning to. What Ben thought would be a semester abroad in Scotland is going on month ten. The excitement of rugby games, “trekking” the highlands, and exploring the European continent with friends from Belgium and beyond, was much too to do in the short time he had planned to stay. Mom, Dad & I went for a short visit over Christmas to Glasgow and London to see what all the rage was, and found it to be true. While the weather was lacking, the tearful reunion was wonderful. We now await with anticipation, especially Mom, for hi return around mid July, hopefully in time for peach season.
Although our roots have now been spread, we still find that the rest of the world is not home. There is little in life more satisfying than to drive down Mason Road and watch the apple trees blooming row after row, or sit on the back porch after a long day in the orchard, and rub Webster’s belly (a habit that seems to enjoy more and more at his tender age of 10). These always make June the transitional month. A short lull works its’ way into the frantically busy days of preparation and harvest. Home is truly where the heart is, and where it will remain forever.
This strong sense of harvest that will peak in autumn, was the first felt when Dad brought in the first six peaches yesterday. I again have found myself working alongside Dad in the orchards, as well as seeing a gown in preparation to run for the local Basket Festival queen. Mom has been enjoying the summer. the rigor required to energize a classroom and planning the annual 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. is readily transferred to garden, flowers, and of course mowing. My father remains the busiest man I know, yet I fear the farm demands too much.
Due to an early spring and wettest May & June northern Ohio has seen in a long time, events are a bit early this year. Here is what we expect:
July 10-15 First peaches (cling type)
July 25-Aug. 10 Red Haven season (1st freestone peach)
Aug. 5-10 Nectarines begin
Aug. 10 First white peaches
Aug. 15 Gala apple harvest
Aug. 15-Sept. 10 Plums
Aug. 20-25 Pears begin
Sept. 10-20 Last of Peaches
Sept. 5-15 Fall apples & pick your own begins
Oct. 15-25 Fuji apples begin
Hope to see you this season.
The Gammie Family
