My hillside neighbor was old school. Even my grandson referred to him as “joe on the hill.” He spoke of not being able to grow anything for the deer on the farm he moved from. He grew many old varieties, and we shared gardening tools, tips, and produce as long as he was able to garden. I would awaken to small sacks of produce all the time on my side stoop in the shade. In return I would send my grandson scurrying up to the hillside to take my neighbor excess peppers or anything I had an abundance of.
On the hillside below Joe’s house would be planted all kinds and types of greens each fall, and they would thrive under his masterful hand. One of the best crops was his huge crop of turnips. He would give me a call and tell me to come get all I wanted anytime I wanted. He would also dig the turnips and take them to distribute to other church members. Many folks I know do not eat turnips, so I hope those he gave away so willingly were well received. My favorite way of preparing was to peel and slice them like potatoes. Then in a cast iron pan sprayed with oil cook them very slowly and then when done turn up the heat, spray some more, and slightly brown. It was a meal fit for a king with a pan of cornbread. This was like weeks of turnips before the weather and soil was just right for him to plow for summer crops. He always hired a man to plow his soil deep with a big tractor, then he would be out there going over every inch with his tiller. He used 10/10 /10 fertilizer the old way, and had the nicest crop of turnips that was the envy of the neighborhood. I sure miss those turnips, but much more I miss my dear neighbor as he used to be always out there on the hillside doing what he loved best. I laughed because I would take somebody out to show my garden, and their eyes would just naturally veer to that lush garden on the hillside. He saved his tomato seeds by marking a particular tomato on his vines. He would take them to the local greenhouse, and they would plant the seeds and give him new plants each year. Those old timers knew their stuff. When I count blessings I always have to count all the wonderful neighbors I have had throughout the years.
—PinnacleCreek 2021
What a neighbor Joe was! Free turnips for the taking sounds like a very good thing to me. And in turn, PinnacleCreek was a good neighbor to Joe. Their relationship reminds me of the old Louvin Brother’s song “Love Thy Neighbor.”
Last night’s video: Matt Makes His Favorite Hot Tomato Pickles.
Tipper
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I didn’t grow up eating turnips; it was yet another vegetable my parents didn’t like so my sister and I discovered them later. Unlike our parents, we like almost all veggies, the greener, the better. Anyway, husband and I love turnips cooked with their greens, yum yum yum!
I like turnips fresh, sliced potato chip thin, and sprinkled with salt. Radishes and cucumbers are good that way too. All three together along with halved tommytoes are a fine dining experience for me.
PS: You cut the tommytoes in half only so the salt will adhere to the cut side.
The only way I enjoy turnips are in beef stew.
Thanks for sharing this sweet story. I’m so very blest with wonderful neighbors..who is your neighbor; anyone in need!!!
As for the turnips, I’d eat them three times a day like Randy!!
Everyone have a great day. Get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather. Pray for our country.
Hey Brenda, not the turnips themselves but the greens-sallet to some of us southern folks.
I hear you!!!
My daddy was another “Joe on the hill.” He loved his garden and always planted way more than we needed but he also gave away to neighbors and would even make a two-hour trip to one of his sisters so she could enjoy some of his bounty. When I moved, there were many times I would come home and on the back porch would be a couple of five-gallon buckets with more of daddy’s bounty. I miss those times. Also, if you have a good neighbor, you are blessed. I have always got such a blessing in giving to others. I wish more folks would “love thy neighbor as thyself.” These days it seems more like just “love thyself.”
Amen. Thank the Lord for good neighbors, close by or virtual. (Hmmm, wonder what would be the best name for the BP&A virtual neighborhood?) Always enjoy Pinnacle Creek’s posts (but not just her’s). Have to smile at “Joe on the hill”, tickles my fancy somehow. Don’t know about other folks, but I believe the good Lord blesses the ones who share and more especially the ones who share not out of abundance but out of want themselves. Remember the widow’s mite? We are not told about what happened after. She gave ” all her living” away but the Lord noticed. Can there be any doubt she was abundantly blessed. We don’t even know if she ever knew who had noticed. She wasn’t doing it to be noticed. Somehow I’m inclined to believe she didn’t think it extraordinary. She was just being a Joe on the hill or a Pinnacle Creek in the holler.
What a great story of Joe on the hill and the song Love thy Neighbor was one I’d never heard until now. Thank you for sharing!
This world certainly needs more Love Thy Neighbor.
Looking forward to the next reading of The Thread That Runs So True later today.
I love that song so much. It’s probably my favorite Louvin bros song. I’ve watched that very same video probably 100 times. We’d be doin good if everybody would listen to what they’re telling us and take your neighbor a turnip 🙂
I’m seldom at a loss for words but dude summed it up when he said OLD TIMERS KNEW THEIR STUFF!!!! Who can add to the wisest observation you’ll see all day??? I liked the Louvin brothers tune Love thy neighbors as thyself. It’s very peppy and happy! What a way to start the day!!!! Thanks Tipper and y’all have a blessed day!!! I lift you all up as friends in the Lord and pray for your good health, peace of mind, a warm bed, a dry place to stay and plenty to eat!
Love the story about good neighbor Joe, but loved the Louvin Brothers “Love Thy Neighbor” even more. It reminded me of when someone used to leave buckets of freshly caught fish on my front porch. I never knew who it was, but found the gesture to be sweet and so appreciated. This went on for three or four winters. When it stopped, I heard that a neighbor, an old man, had died. I suspected he was the angel that gave me fish as mostly old timers ice fish the big lakes.
Good neighbors are priceless and becoming more rare as years go by. Thanks, Tipper!
Such a sweet story to enjoy this fine morning. Thank you.
What a wonderful story. Thanks Tipper for sharing.
Such a sweet story. I would have liked to meet old Joe and to see his garden.
I am one of the ones that do not like turnips but will eat turnip greens and cornbread 3 meals a day. I remember when neighbors would help one another either by giving things to them or help one another out with work. I especially remember and have personally experienced neighbors pitching in to help one another in times of sickness or some other problems and not expecting pay or anything else in return except for knowing you would do the same for them if the shoe was on the other foot. It was common to go visit or even spend the day with one another. Nowadays, many people don’t even know their neighbors name. I also remember and still use 5-10-10, 10-10-10 fertilizer and sody- 33% nitrogen. In the early years of my life, I remember in my area when the Bulldog brand of fertilizer was the favorite brand. The bags would have a picture of a bulldog on them. I have an old time mule drawn fertilizer/guano distributor. I am proud to say this still goes on among the older lifetime native neighbors in my area, many of the newbies that are now moving in from other parts of the country won’t even throw their hands up or wave at you when they pass by.