Countryside Chronicles: Roots of Gratitude
My journey back into the countryside
For over 21 years, I resided in Burton, Ohio, a charming town, full of history nestled east of Cleveland, renowned for its unparalleled maple syrup, arguably the finest in the nation (fighting words I know!). This quaint locale also boasts the most delightful county fair imaginable! Our decision to settle there was no accident. My sister, Ellen, who is 13 years my senior, used to delight in taking us on winter outings to indulge in freshly made maple candy. Those moments remain etched in my memory—Ellen and I huddled by the fireplace in the quaint sugar house, relishing every bite of maple sugar and creamy maple walnut. To this day, I still indulge in this tradition at least once every other month and now I get to share it with my grandson!
Consequently, when Jim and I tied the knot, it felt only natural to find a small horse farm in Burton. I treasured that time. We had horses so we always had a never-ending supply of compost and blackberries that would ripen all over our land for the entire month of July. There was an artesian spring that had peppery watercress growing in it and an orchard with apples and pears galore. There was always fresh asparagus in the spring and lots of kittens! It was truly the best place ever to raise a child!
I remember my friends thinking that I had lost my mind when I wanted to buy that farm. Leave the city with all of its creature comforts? I came by the desire naturally though and so did Jim. He had been raised on his grandfather’s farms and knew the lifestyle well. I had been raised by a father who loved the soil; a master gardener long before there was ever such a designation.
Then there was Dolly Temple. She probably had more to do with it than anyone , but before I go on, remember this was all in the era before iphones…I wish I had pictures of what I’m about to share with you, but hopefully my ability to tell the tale will conjure the images for you.
When I was a little girl my mother made me become a Brownie in the hopes that I would follow in my sister’s footsteps and become a Girl Scout. My mother was a beloved troop leader and at 48 was just thrilled that she had one more chance to do it again! She spent my Brownie year choosing amazing activities for us, and wonderful places to visit. I don’t remember most of that year because it was all overshadowed by the one place she chose that was perfect.
One of her best friends when she moved into the Orange School District was a woman named Dolly Temple. My mom was the youngest PTA member and Dolly was the oldest, but the two looked at each other and became instant friends. It was because of the huge Navajo Squash Blossom necklaces that each was wearing around their necks in a community that was a hotbed of diamonds and pearls.
As my mother told it, she walked into this thoroughly stuffy group of very fine 1950’s housewives and then there was Dolly. She and mom became instant friends because of those necklaces, which at that time absolutely no one understood or valued. My mother looked amazing when she wore her Indian Jewelry and so did Dolly. Both were incredibly strong women, with striking features and even stronger personalities!
The Indian jewelry that neither of them were ever without simply mirrored the boldness that each of them carried within. Both wore black to set off all of that turquoise during the day way before it was acceptable to do so!
Mom and Dolly Temple were pretty fabulous, the last of a generation of the “they just don’t make broads like that any more”.
Dolly was a transplanted southern woman who owned 36 incredibly beautiful acres in Moreland Hills Ohio, complete with a gorgeous Georgian mansion, horse barns, orchards and pastures. She raised the most beautiful Arabian horses and had several lovely little Welsh ponies that she drove as teams. She reminded me a lot of Granny Clampett…even looked like her a little bit!
Dolly Temple was my first mentor, the very first women who ever put me on a horse and taught me how to crack a wild walnut. My mother in an attempt to keep her youngest daughter interested in the “Silly Brownie Stuff” as I called it took us out to Dolly’s farm.
She should have known ...I took one look and was smitten. The day came to cross the Brownie Bridge and approximately 5 minutes before it was to be my turn I looked at my mom and said, “I don’t EVER want to be a Girl Scout…I want to go back to that place with the horses and learn to ride and raise chickens. My mother, ever the essence of grace under pressure simply smiled and called Dolly.
If she was disappointed she never let it show. Her generosity that day completely changed my life. I don't live well without horses or fruit trees. My mother knew that and let it be.
From that day on I practically lived at the Temples and at least 4 times a week I would go there after school, catch and brush the horses, saddle up the ponies, have my lesson and then go riding around her woods. I’d come into her house afterwards for homemade hot chocolate and huge slabs of crusty warm homemade bread with her home churned butter. Sometimes I’d walk in and she’d be plucking a duck or a chicken that she’d just butchered herself and the end result that day would be the most incredible homemade chicken and dumplings which she served on lavish Royal Worcester plates with her mother’s gorgeous sterling.
Once or twice I accidentally walked in on her in the middle of the butchering process, but I actually didn’t mind because she truly walked her talk. She loved her fancy chickens and Muscovi ducks, treating them beautifully right up to the end. Nothing was wasted. Dolly had more than enough money, but she did everything herself. She used everything that she raised from the fruits and vegetables she grew to the animals that she kept.
She taught me to forage on her property for food and was the first woman to teach me about the value of eating wild plants. She took me hunting and showed me how to clean and cook a freshly shot wild duck.
I adored her. She had blueberries everywhere and raspberries and plum trees surrounding the riding ring. There were French chestnuts that lined one of the lanes and the pastures were filled with apples tree. Everything had a purpose and was in just the right place. She let me explore all of it as if I were her own child.
One day in the spring when I was riding I noticed one of the most beautiful bushes that I’d ever seen. It was growing down along the driveway and it was the filled with the heaviest clusters of creamy flowers that I’d ever seen, draping on beautiful purple stems with thick green leaves. It was also emitting a very strange musky sweet aroma that reminded me a bit of my grandmother not in a bad way, but more like a bottle of vintage violet perfume that’s turned a little bit dark and dirty.
I later learned that the beautiful blossoms were Elderberry flowers and that the plant although most parts are filled with more than a little bit of cyanide was one of the most beneficial of the wild tonics. Dolly made wines, cordials and syrups out of her Elderberries and she also took some of those flowers and made wonderful fritters, covered in a very light batter and dusted with a bit of confectioner’s sugar. They were amazing, the heavy flowers were delicious prepared that way, although definitely not for anyone who suffers from a battle with seasonal allergies! She used to give me tiny glasses of the Elderberry wine, pretty heady stuff for a young girl like me. When we bought the farm, she was the first person I called. “Of course you did” she said. “Welcome home!”
As I reminisce about the cherished memories of my countryside upbringing and the profound influence of mentors like Dolly Temple, I am so filled with gratitude for the timeless wisdom they gifted me with. Their legacy of nurturing the land, embracing simplicity, and savoring life's simple pleasures continues to inspire me on my journey. With each season, as the earth awakens and the seeds of possibility are sown, I find solace in the rhythm of nature and the enduring lessons learned amidst the beauty of rural living. As I cultivate my urban garden and honor the bounty of the land, I carry forward the spirit of those who shaped my love for the soil and the profound connection it fosters with the world around us. Here's to embracing the timeless joys of gardening, cherishing the memories of days gone by, and savoring every moment of our shared journey.
Our next event for paid subscribers!
🌕🌸 You are cordially invited to bask in the enchanting glow of the May Flower Moon! 🌸🌕
As the celestial curtain rises on May 23rd at 7:00 PM Eastern Time, embark on a mystical journey beneath the shimmering light of the May Flower Moon.
Join us virtually among the blossoms of friendship, as we sip on delicious herbal mocktails or cocktails, sharing in the magic of this lunar spectacle. With a simple ritual, we will honor the significance of the May Flower Moon, a time of renewal, growth, and the blooming of nature’s finest.
Prepare your favorite cup, don your most mystical attire, (Hats please!) and come ready to share your recipes as the lunar energies guide us through an unforgettable hour of connection and joy.
Please RSVP in the comments to let me know if you’ll be joining us. The Zoom link for our gathering and delightful moon ritual will be shared here several days before the event. 🌟 This special event is for paid subscribers as a thank you for helping me keep this newsletter available for everyone! Remember that there is a 7 day free trial for our paid subscription that you can try!
With love and lunar light,
Beth
Loved this post!
Beautiful post!! 💖💖💖