Tabla de contenidos para May/June 2023 en Grit

Few things in life are as useful as a good tool. Whether fixing a fence or working in the garden, the right tool makes all the difference. As a kid, one of the big rules on the farm was “don’t touch the tools.” And if we did need to use a tool for some task, we were instructed to immediately return it to its resting place once we were finished. I recall a couple of times when tools were accidentally left out in the elements. Once my dad discovered the often-ruined implement, he was pretty disappointed. I didn’t really understand why back then, but I certainly do now. The loss of a good tool is something to mourn. Now, I’m gearing up for the growing season, which means bringing out…

“Daddy’s home!” I yelled as I heard my dad’s old, red Chevy spit gravel in front of our house. The faux-crystal door handle jiggled in my hand as I twisted it, the wooden screen door flapping behind me as I tore down the concrete steps and skipped across our small front lawn. There in my dad’s hand was his coal-mining bucket, and inside that bucket was something for me. I loved my dad for more than his bucket. From the time I was 3 years old, I was up at 7 a.m., ready to go to work with him at his second job as a handyman. My sister had written my name on the front of his white milk truck, which he used for his second line of work. People…

In spring, direct-sow the seeds of leafy greens into the garden once the soil is workable (not frozen and not overly wet). For a fall garden, check the seed packet for the days to harvest and add about four weeks. Count backward from your first frost date and plant on that day. Although you should always consult the seed packet for planting instructions, the seeds of most leafy greens are small and usually should be covered by only ¼ inch of soil. An easy way to sow them is to run your finger across the soil, making a small, shallow furrow. Sprinkle seeds into the furrow, then run your thumb along one side, lightly pushing a small amount of dirt back over the seeds. Pat the soil down firmly. If…

After leaving the city and moving to rural property, I was confronted with an odd predicament: All my clothing wore out at record speed. Rather than sitting at a computer or commuting to work, I was putting up fencing, foraging in thick brush, and trimming goat hooves — and getting tired of constantly adding patches at night. But tough commercial outdoor wear came with a hefty price tag, and often the frivolous styling didn’t match my needs. Furthermore, the clothing industry in general galls me with the way it exploits sweatshop labor. So, with no knowledge about sewing garments, I took up needle and thread and blundered my way into making my own clothing. Although my methods are informal at best, I’m able to customize and craft clothing that’s comfortable,…

They say smell can be a strong trigger for memory, and it certainly is for me. A robust barn-cleaning emptied on a field can fill me with dozens of childhood memories of playing with my cousin on his family’s dairy farm. When other people cover their noses and complain about such smells, I breathe in deeply. I close my eyes and can feel the sun on my skin and the dirt (and manure) between my toes as we’d run through the fields and climb the ladder from the milking area to jump in the haymow. But I also spent a fair amount of time around another cousin’s beef cattle, and it was a different sort of smell. Similar, but different. I first noticed this because I’d associate the smell with…

Simply put, the quesadilla is a delightful package of flavorful foods and melted cheesy goodness — all sandwiched inside crispy tortillas. It’s the ultimate blend of Southwest traditional foods and modern fare. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in present-day Mexico in the 16th century, they found the indigenous people eating what they described as “corn cakes.” These corn cakes were the ancestors of what we call “tortillas” today. They were used as a side dish for meals and as utensils — a sort of edible plate or spoon to hold other foods while eating. “Quesadilla” loosely translates to “little cheese snack.” Since the popular filling for these bundles is cheese, the term fits. I grew up a few miles north of the Mexican border in Tucson, Arizona, where quesadillas were…

“Mmmmm.” A sigh of delight escapes me as I savor the giant red raspberry I just popped into my mouth. Perfectly ripened, warm, and bursting with the juicy sweetness of summer sunshine, this berry tastes like jam! Standing knee-deep in berry bushes, I’m convinced this is what summer should taste like. Berries like that one keep me going back for another and another … and another. This is a great thing in our garden, because during the peak fruiting season for these berries, there are a lot to pick! My family has grown red raspberries on a small scale for years. Red raspberries grow wild and are quite nostalgic for those who live in the northern United States. I’ve heard tales from folks who’d go out as young’uns to pick…

You’ve decided to take the plunge and increase your rolling stock remuda by adding a nimble, light, utilitarian vehicle to help with daily chores, but you aren’t certain whether you should spend your hard-earned cash on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or a utility vehicle (UTV). The decision isn’t really that difficult if you park your emotions and systematically consider how you’ll make use of the machine. The ATV is generally a single-person, four-wheeled, cycle-like vehicle that the operator straddles and steers with handlebars. The UTV is a four- or six-wheeled vehicle that’s like a small truck. Both ATVs and UTVs can save you time, money, and future medical bills by reducing physical labor and stress. While many experts suggest UTVs are the wiser investment, they’re typically more expensive, and in…

BUTTONS I’m interested in collecting buttons. If anyone has old or new buttons they’d like to give away, please send them to me. Gulo Maxson 410 N. 75th Ave. Pensacola, FL32506 PEN PALS I’m a new grandma who would love to send and receive letters from ladies of all ages. I love to read and talk about books. I love to cook and try new healthy meals. I’m learning to knit and sew. I love to explore small towns. I hope to make lifelong friendships. Julie Petty P.O. Box 508 Comanche, TX 76442 BOOK I’m looking for an old book titled Farm Homes In-Doors and Out-Doors by E.H. Leland, preferably an original copy, copyrighted 1881. Rachel Bennett 4221 Day Road Lockport, NY 14094 PEN PALS I’m looking for pen pals.…

Years ago, I watched a video about creating a survival garden in which the host said something along the lines of: “Leafy greens are nice, but they aren’t high-calorie enough to bother planting.” My reaction? Well, let’s just say I couldn’t disagree more. In fact, I think leafy greens should be part of everyone’s garden — especially if times are tough or you want to be more self-sufficient. Here are eight reasons why. 1. Leafy greens are packed with nutrients. What the survival garden guy failed to consider was that leafy greens are much more nutritious than the other vegetables he focused on. Kale and collards are just two examples. One cup (67 grams) of raw kale contains 68% of the daily value (DV) for vitamin K, 6% of the…