Grafting allowed one tree to produce four varieties — the original Nerchinsk as well as Goodland, Kerr and Garland
Every spring, the crabapple tree in my backyard sent forth sensory blessings to the neighborhood —white blooms with a fragrant aroma, a sort of “the white way of delight” as Anne in the story Anne of Green Gables labelled it. Neighbours, family and friends dropped by to gaze at the blossoms and whiff in the […] Read moreStories by Frieda Martens
Prairie fruit continues to deliver its goodness
The distinctive almond aroma as we approached our farmyard as we came home from school spelled saskatoon pie. We quickened our pace. In late June, when the fruit started ripening, our mother navigated the underbrush and picked the first ripe berries from the tall bushes, enough for a pie for supper. Mother’s delectable crust and […] Read more
Life on the farm made memories, taught lessons
Animals played a major role in the lives of children growing up on mixed farms, but sometimes the reality was hard
The three-week-old calf we named Green wobbled to the rail fence bawling as she tossed her head. She saw us approaching with a bottle of skim milk. As I placed the nipple in her mouth, she tugged and pulled it back and forth, managing to guzzle most of it, although some dribbled from the mouth […] Read more
Christmas joy delivered in a brown paper bag
This simple symbol of giving stands out like a sentinel in the flood of unforgettable memories from bygone Christmases
The school Christmas concert was an unparalleled event at the time — with the last item topping all the rest on the program schedule. Santa Claus followed by his elves (the chair of the school board and trustees) stomped in from outside, brushing off the snow and cleaning their boots, making us shiver not only […] Read more
Chocolate cake secrets revealed
When the birthday girl cut the cake and dished it out to her classmates, the boys chimed in with their accolades. “Yummy, this is good.” With sticky, chocolate-stained fingers, they applauded Kiera, hoping there would be seconds. Kiera, one of my Grade 5 students at a Christian private school, brought a chocolate cake to celebrate […] Read more
