Cooper and I pulled the peas on Friday night. They were ready to come out. We saved some dry wrinkled pods for next season,
On Saturday morning we made Huckleberry Jam. I never make enough to really feel comfortable that it will turn out. The berries are hard to come by this year.
Later we dug the garlic. It was a heck of a job under the sun. We laid them to dry on a canvas tarp. We tried to find shade but there wasn’t any.
On Sunday we went to the the drugstore and bought a toothbrush to clean the dirt off the garlic. We trimmed the beards and cut their necks. They looked good. Copper negotiated a good deal for his Mom and Dad. At first I said only one clove. The next thing I knew they are going home with pounds.
It’s been warm. I look at the edges. The leaves dyeing, yellowing under the plants. The cool that hits before light. The squash that puts out. The snakes that scatter near the railway. The plants that don’t belong, but thrive. The shore line, altered, but still recognizable.
It always makes me wonder. The clock, the river, sun up, the stars, all that. Times have changed. No matter how hard I close my eyes and imagine, it will never go back to the way it was.
That’s a goddamn good thing.
Diving off the clay banks into the young Columbia. Swimming among the weeds.
Cooper and Scarlett hold my hands while they walk. I want to both protect them and set them free.
Palliser Pass 
Carol A. Hand
A wonderful photo of Cooper, Willow, and the bounty of garlic from your garden, and a deeply beautiful way to pass on your love of nature. Living that love with your grandchildren and helping them learn to care for themselves and all their relations is the best way I can think of “to both protect them and set them free.” <3.
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underswansea
Thank you for your very kind comment. It was a wonderful weekend. Cooper loves having a job. Take care.
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Jim R
Those garlic plants are as big as Cooper. He looked thrilled to be of help. Good job, grandpa.
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underswansea
Thanks Jim. It was a good weekend. Cooper loves helping and having a job. Take care.
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Julie@frogpondfarm
Fabulous photos Bob .. how big has Cooper got! And that garlic, I’m so jealous 😃
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underswansea
Thanks Julie. Cooper is certainly getting big. He is a contemplative boy who is happiest helping out. I think that garlic needs some good olive oil. Do you want to trade? 🙂
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Julie@frogpondfarm
Now that would be a great trade! I think this oil is our best 🙂
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underswansea
I’d even throw in a some spuds and a couple jars of Huckleberry preserves.
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Julie@frogpondfarm
Sounds brilliant! 😃
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