by Stephen Morris
Sunday was a classic September day on the Gilead. There was morning valley fog, but by eleven a.m. it was starting to lift and by noon the area was buttered in golden sun. It was a tug of war day, but in the best possible way. The air is summer, but the leaves say autumn. The garden offers bounty, but the dry corn stalks and brilliant colors say “this is the grand finale.” Enjoy the hell out of it, because it won’t last long.
Silverbelle Carolyn is the official flower farmer, peddling her wares as Vermont Morning Glory at the local farmer’s market on Saturday mornings and the small, portable stand that was built by husband Fran. But for today, the flowers are free.
In fact, everything is free! And all are welcome.
Fran Kelly is a Silverback, even though he doesn’t know it yet. He’s not an Internet-kinda guy, but he has all the admirable qualities of a Silverback–gentleness, generosity, power, and strength– and a heart that is deeply in The Jungle. He planted what, by all accounts (“What-are-you … crazy?”), was an ambitious garden in the spring, defying all conventional garden wisdom. He just smiles when asked what he’s going to do with all the pumpkins.
Conventional garden wisdom is “Plan your garden, then cut it in half, and cut it in half again.” Not Silverback Fran, however. He plans his garden, then quadruples it! Unbeknownst to the rest of us, however, he has a plan. He is going to give it away. And there is a lot to give!
The handwritten flyers arrive in mailboxes during the week. Free pumpkins for the kids, but even more, free flowers from Carolyn’s cutting garden, hot dogs with all the fixins, sweet corn, and an assortment of homemade breads and baked goods. Carolyn is as accomplished a baker as she is a flower farmer.
Fran shuttles the kids to and from the patch, and even gives them a little extra ride.
