'
Recently, I noticed this quaint backyard in a small town in Madison County. Looking old, yet a bit lonely, with its mature apple tree and a vintage two-car wooden garage, it enticed me to stop and snap a few pictures. Scattered on the ground, dropped from its mature tree, were lots of apples that I could tell had not been sprayed this year.
The gnarled apple tree had lots of bare branches that looked like old grey bones.
Sitting together, the apple tree and garage, reminded me of how backyards looked before plastic swimming pools, large garages, patios, decks, and all other types of outdoor paraphernalia came about.
I let my imagination kick in -- I could easily see my great-grandmother sitting under this tree peeling apples into a large granite dishpan.
Yes, I remember backyards looking like this, too; there'd be several types of fruit trees, usually 2 different apples, a pear, plum, apricot or a peach with expanses of lawn between, and possibly a regimented vegie patch tucked out of the way somewhere.
ReplyDeleteA bit of a shame that all those lovely apples are going to waste. There is a wild apple tree around the corner from where I live. I picked up all the apples off the ground and put them in my compost. The silly me thinks that they would be happy to be used this way.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. I can see my grandmother under the tree too. Or she would put them in the outside cold storage shed that was off the main house. I could always smell apples when I went in that room. :-)
I too could picture an old lady sitting peeling apples here and she would have been happy I think.
ReplyDeleteLovely tree. Love your photos.
Can't you just picture that? I wonder if, at night, the deer will come and eat those fallen apples. I hope that they don't get a belly ache.
ReplyDeleteJayne -- Interesting that you have the same thoughts on town backyards in your part of the world. Old farm back yards were different as they usually were full of chickens, ducks and geese plus a few dogs and cats plus maybe an outhouse, smoke house and other small utility buildings -- all apart from the main farm structures. I suppose the same might have been so in your country. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteBirdie -- I think putting the apples in your compost pile is a terrific way to use them. In another state where I lived, there was an old apple tree that I knew no one sprayed -- I would pick up bags of them and store them on my enclosed porch where is was cool. I would cut away the bad spots and used everyone of them over time. Nice information on your grandmother's cold storage shed and the pervasive smell that lingered. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeletecuby poet -- I think anyone who sits with nature can be happy. Nature is such a wondrous place to go when you want to do a little reading, or work on on project or just think. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteLouise -- It would be a wonderful meal for the deer -- they sure love apples. Perhaps other critters do too. thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteAh, yes....someone needs to move in before those apples go to waste! Would make some nice applesauce, or even a pie!
ReplyDeleteElora
Elora, if I lived closer I would knock on the door and ask permission to gather the apples. Why i didn't when I was there taking photos is beyond me. One track mind at the time I guess. thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteWe have a small back yard, so the only paraphernalia is the screened porch. It was a patio, but we changed that. I need the screening to keep the mosquitos at bay. Love the photo of the apples. Sad no one wanted them. Maybe the birds will find them after they ferment a bit. Nothing funnier than a tipsy blue jay. Dianne
ReplyDeleteDianne -- Screened in porches are great on a warm evening night. No worry about mosquitoes. I bet you enjoy it. I think the birds will be part of the gang savoring a great food source. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that people now think back yards should have patios and pools and decks, many of which are used very little. A bench or chair under an apple tree is plenty of back yard equipment for enjoying a summer afternoon. A porch, front or back, with a rocking chair or swing will serve the same purpose. So what if the Jones next door have an above the ground pool? How much do they use it?
ReplyDeleteA nice memory you have there.
ReplyDeleteMy grandmother did the same thing. The apples were so wormy that she had more to discard than to can. Of course, that was just fine with the pigs.
ReplyDeleteI know some horses who would love a few of those apples.
ReplyDeleteI have a sweet memory of my grandmother peeling apples for us too.
Wonderful post, Barbara. And another great header!
ReplyDeleteThe color of the weathered oak boards of the garage are so pleasing to my eyes. A common color of old Kentucky tobacco barns and outbuildings. One could make a mess of sauce out of all them apples. Great fall scene in the new header by the way. You do good work.
ReplyDeleteGrampy - Thanks for the nice words about my header. It was taken in Kirksville on on older woman's porch -- pumpkins from her garden. Guess I should id it on my header. Fall is a great time especially with this cooler weather that has kicked in here in KY. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteVicki -- thanks for the nice remark about my header. Fall is a favorite of many folks -- and pumpkins are definitely part of its celebration. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteSheri -- I bet you do know some horses that would chomp those down in no time. Long ago we lived on a farm with an orchard that was fenced in. Some folks boarded their horses with us for a while. Those horses would stretch their heads across the orchard fencing until they could grab an apple off the tree -- was fun to watch. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteNCmountainwoman -- My great-grandmother would never throw a spoiled apple or any fruit or vegetable away if she could salvage some table food off it. I guess our grands believed in the old adage -- waste not, want not. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteJune -- I'm for the bench or chair under the tree. Maybe bring out the croquet set when one had company. Like your rocking chairs and swings on the porches. Thanks for the comments June -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI can envision the same thing! We never sprayed our apples this year, either, and the deer got most of ours.
ReplyDelete