Early this morning, before the dew has dried on the tall fescue grasses of the pastures, before the big black Angus cows have stirred from sleep and before my second cup of coffee, I hear the big John Deeres moving through the early sunrise as the puff and cloud of the engines amble through the barbed wire gates sheltering the big mama cows and their small calf babies. These big green machines are traveling to the back three hundred or so acres of the thick pastures in front of our house to cut the hay to feed the mama and baby cows this winter when the grasses are no longer green and lush from the rain and sun but dried and brown from the winterís cold. This is a sight I love to see and to recognize that this is the somewhat continuation of life here on our farm. Growing season, harvesting season, and consuming season, a continuing cycle year after year. But this year it has a cycle of life that brings this so much closer to home for me. This year one of my babies, a grandson nineteen years old is driving and operating one of these big green machines. How in the world can this little boy operate this big farm tractor as he is just a little boy himself? I remember so well sitting in the floor and in the dirt as he built hills and valleys with his John Deere not too many years ago, so many short years ago. I realize I am getting older as each day passes but these little boys, they will forever be little boys in my mind and heart. Like I say, itís a cycle of life ñ they are born ñ harvesting season ñ they are maturing and becoming men and their lives are harvested into grownups, and consuming season ñ they are consuming life with a passion that I see coming to fruition before my eyes. They began to choose their vocation and job in life, they choose a life mate, and settle into their expending and utilizing or living their own lives season. I will readily tell you, itís hard to let the little boys grow and go. I have ten of these ìboy wondersî and I am forever blessed and happy for this miracle and marvel that has been afforded to me. Some of them are harvesting their lives by staying in school and taking time to decide which vocation they want for a lifetime while others are already in the workforce, but all are still so young and just beginning life and I honestly hope they take their time, enjoy their lives in the harvesting season and learn to roll with and overcome all the, and there will be some, blunders and bloopers that life will throw at them and that they will always remember just how much this Meme believes in them. Our garden harvest has been so substantial this year and we have loved eating all the delicious vegetables. I have a new Egg Plant recipe for you. EASIEST EGGPLANT. 1 cup of seasoned breadcrumbs, 1 good sized eggplant peeled and cut int ½ inch rounds, 4 T. of mayonnaise or as needed. Coat the eggplant slices in mayonnaise and dip into breadcrumbs. Place on a foil lined cookie sheet and bake at 375* for 20 minutes and the turn the slices and bake 20 more minutes.
