I’ve been keeping a secret from you this summer. There’s a fairy tale taking place just outside my kitchen window. A real live fairy tale.
It was early May when I first noticed its unfurling green leaves hugging up to my house like it needed to share its warmth. I knew it was there, and I swear it knew I knew it was there. Every time I’d walk up the hill to the kitchen door I could see it out of the corner of my eye watching and waiting to see what I would do.
One day The Deer Hunter said “You know you’re going to have to do something about that don’t you?” A few days later, Granny said “I walked up to your house to see if you had any ripe tomatoes while you were out of town. You know you can’t let that thing stay under your kitchen window don’t you?”
I told them “I know, I know, I’m going to take care of it.” But deep down inside I knew I wasn’t going to do no such thing.
The Deer Hunter and Granny soon forgot my promise to fix the little problem and I was left to watch, wonder, and be only slightly spooked every time I washed the dishes. I would stand on my tippy-toes when no one was in the kitchen and look down at its beauty. I’d think of the stories Pap told me about his Uncle Blaine that I’ve never even seen a picture of and I’d remember my own magical story that happened every year on the first hard frost of fall. I wished that I could leave my new fairy tale like pal where it was and see what other magic it would bring me, but in the back of my mind I knew I would have to dispose of it before summer was over.
Early Saturday morning as I stumbled bleary eyed to the coffee pot my brain tried to tell me something was different. As I stood by the sink stirring cream in my coffee, I noticed a shadow falling over my hand.
I no longer need to stand on my toes to see it, the fairy tale is looking in the window at me now.
——————–
Come back in a few days and I’ll tell you the rest of the fairy tale.
Tipper
Amy
LOL soon soon! I hope you have a great weekend!
Tipper
Blind Pig The Acorn
Celebrating and Preserving the
Culture of Appalachia
http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com
how much longer??? I can hardly wait!!!!!
Hmmm….are we any closer to more of the fairy tale?
A mulberry? Sassafras? Pineapple? Weeping Willow? Sweet Bubbie? Four leaf clover? Gardenia, whatever that is?
Okra? It has a pretty flower but it don’t last long. Neither does edible part when I fry it up.
Silver Lace? Spirea? Trumpet Vine? English Ivy? Watermelon? Mistletoe? Corn? Columbine? Alfalfa?
No idea what it is and looking forward to the rest of this tale.
Honeysuckle? Wild Irish Rose? Saw Briar? Blackberry? Volunteer cherry or crab apple? Cantaloupe? Pea? Bean? Cucumber?
If it was kudzu it would have growed over the house and down to Paps and back since May. So now I’m guessin poison ivy or Virginia Creeper. But the unfurling leaves must mean something, so I’m still buffaloed. It’s a poke stalk! If I guess everything that grows I’ve got to get it sometime.
Oh,since it is about the end of the growing season for most(I plan to put in some fast growing vegtables yet) could you post about preserving foods more?I read lustfully about making “leather britches” because I want to know more about preserving foods before canning came along.I have read about salting and smoking ham to preserve and it is very interesting.Do ya’ll do that too?(you and your hubby) Hoping to hear some more.Thanks for all your wonderful stories.
If your granny told you to get rid of it then it probably doesnt have any real practical use.I have to admit I am bumfuzzled about what it is.I cant wait to find out what”IT” is.I so enjoy “Blind Pig and the Acorn.” I am new hear and love the music,culture and stories.I am from Louisiana and have a rich heritage from east Texas from my parents and some cajun influence as well.I hope that plant hurries up and finishes so you can post about it.
Oh my…such a delightful way with words you have Tipper. Can hardly wait to hear the next installment! I love fairy tales! and mysteries too…
I agree with someone’s comment:
It’s good to see a soft
heart from such a strong woman.
That describes you, tipper.
I’m curious about your mystery.
Awww shucks, you really got my curiosity up…Can’t think for the life of me what it is…
Tipper,
Surely it is not a pumpkin from the seeds you dropped when raking out the pumkin guts last fall?
Jim, If it is Kudzu, Tipper is going to have to go into the goat business….Only thing I know to really that’s known to munch the plants to the ground!…
I’m looking forward to hearing the rest of this story! 😀
I don’t know what it is, and I can’t wait to find out! I love fairies… yours must be delighted in whatever this is. Maybe the Blue Moon is making it grow!
I sometimes wish I lived in the country just to experience daily Mother Nature’s amazing beauty. You are so lucky , Tipper. Filakia xxxx
I love a fairy tale, even in a serial format… Keeps us coming back for more! And a story, perhaps, about your Uncle Blaine?
Have a good weekend.
Tipper,
You beat anything I’ve ever seen
for adopting Nature’s little
things. It’s good to see a soft
heart from such a strong woman.
I enjoy the Blind Pig post each
day cause one never knows what’s
on next…Ken
Tipper–I hope I’m off by a country mile, but the first thing that came to mind when I saw your photo was, “Lawsy mercy, Tipper’s being attacked by kudzu.” If so, I’d simply remind you that this alien invader from the Orient will eat houses, grow so fast it might just encircle a small child playing in the yard, and is almost totally worthless (the blooms do smell nice, deer like the plant tips, and I reckon if I was starving I might once again try kudzu quiche–though for now a single helping years ago suffices quite nicely). I’m always amazed that a plant which grows so fast can die so quickly with the first frost.
It probably isn’t kudzu, but the very thought of you harboring an invader set me off down this literary rabbit trail.
Jim Casada
http://www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com
Tipper, You have certainly aroused our curiosity, and we will be awaiting the conclusion of your little Fairy Tale mystery! The picture is interesting but does not completely give away the secrets. I think I had my own earlier this summer, even here in middle Georgia at Milledgeville. I took a beautiful picture of mine before Alvin (my faithful yard man) took it on himself to “destroy” mine! We’ll see if our “Fairies” are anywhere near the same! And at the Old Union County Courthouse and the Mock House Annex this weekend–Saturday and Sunday, the highly acclaimed Fall Festival. I had a special invittion from Edie Rich to attend, but I won’t be able to go. Maybe some of you who live nearer will like to attend. Don Byers (and company!) is playing on Saturday afternon at 2:00.
I can’t wait to hear the rest…I have my suspicions but I’ll keep them to myself:)
I was holding my breath waiting to hear that when you were no longer bleary eyed Saturday morning, you would find that The Deer Hunter had been busy with the Roundup. Can hardly wait for part two!
Hmmm, I’m thinking Kudzu…it was a really cool thing to see how it grew and took over things…but then I learned of its deadly beauty…can’t wait to read the rest!
Chef E
Tipper,
You have my full attention. There is nothing more fun than a mystery to work on. Yes, I have a touch of the compulsive detective in my nature and I have a feeling this one will tickle my brain cells off and on all day! 🙂 Shabbat Shalom!
Can’t wait to hear the rest of this! Have a great weekend!
PSSS….I love the picture…and the wings of the fairy plant…
Could it possibly be a gourd?
B. ruth
i am thinking it will be along the lines of Jack and the beanstalk, hope there are no giants involved
Tipper,
You don’t have any critters that lay golden eggs on your roof do you? Reminds me of “Jack and the Beanstalk,”
Whatever it is growing…I know I’ll love it..I love those big leafy plants that grow on deserted un-nurished dirt heaps near construction areas or grow up thru the cracks in sidewalks in the old part of cities…Have you ever seen these tree like plants that grown from just a crack in the brick morter out the side of a building? That used to fasinate me as I sat in my Dads truck while he picked up some concrete mix, nails etc…I would look and wonder how that big plant grew out of tiny crack in that old building and did the wind or a bird leave the seed there? The desire to grow must have been strong…
Here’s what I think. If it feels it needs to grow that bad, it should be left til frost…
Thanks Tipper, PS….However,
I have a Wisteria, out of control, that is climbing over shrubs, and beginning to tumble up and over trees…hmmmm, and my husband hates it…Until it blooms in the Spring and the lavender hanging down flowers bring a fragrance that drifts thru like ocean waves….
Ok me again and I’ve got a good idea what it is…but I won’t share even a letter. 🙂
Ok, you’ve got my interest peaked! 🙂
I’d like to hear some of the stories about Pap’s Uncle Blaine. You owe us a book or two or more, you know!
Humm! Looks like the fairy tale got a lot bigger. Pretty soon you might not have any light over your sink as you drink your coffee. A little trim here and a little trim there might prolong its life of being a fairy tale. But as old man winter enters the picture, poof, it goes into a new world. Happy imagination!
Interesting. Does this have anything to do with Jack and the Beanstalk?
I am usually pretty good at unraveling these mysteries but this one has me bumfuzzled. When I first looked at the picture I thought kudzu but I know that The Tipper wouldn’t be harboring a fugitive kudzu vine. So maybe a marauding muscadine or a meandering morning glory?
I saw it last time I was there. It really was impressive then but with greater stature it must be extraordinary.
I didn’t realize you had developed such an attachment for it.
Sheryl-thank you for the comment-and nope its not black : )
Blind Pig The Acorn
Celebrating and Preserving the
Culture of Appalachia
http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com
I can’t wait to see what it is, I know it will be beautiful. And is it black??
Tipper,
I have this feeling that I know what this is ging to be and if I’m right it is going to be great. I once knew someone that had these type attachments for so many things in life. Can’t wait to hear the rest of this story!
You are such a tease.
Tipper, I have never seen any one more in touch with nature, do you have Indian blood running deep in your veins like me? The meek has inherite the earth.