It used to be that everyone had a member of the family
who lived and worked on a farm.
When the day started with the crow
of the only rooster
who despite what many think was the original
alarm clock.
There was no time to dawdle or meander
take in the sweet smell of the haystack
or the pure smell of amonia
as the shovel scooped
a day's worth of milk cow poop
for fertilyzer.
The last generation in my family to be farmers
was the last generation of our country that raised or grew
more of their food than they ever bought.
Gone are the small chicken coops,
the garden and fruit trees
churning butter and saving cream.
I don't know if we are better off
with technology
or if it is making us less productive
less healthy or maybe just forgetful of the past.
I grow fruit and have a garden
Some goes to friends and neighbors
Some is eaten by the yard birds
the rest is put up for the winter.
My backyard farm
produces flavorful and costs me in energy alone
Some years are good and some not so
but it is time to return to being
self-sufficient
and reduce our carbon footprint.
barb
