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Smoking Weeds from Moms Garden

July 27, 2010 by athomewithrebecka 11 Comments

 

 Flowers and Taqui

 

Tended with care and flourish, my Mom’s garden was filled with a delightful array of herbs, fruits and vegetables. Witnessing the miracle of dried seeds being bedded in late Spring, transformed into the first shoots of life, was a much a joy to me, as was my mother’s promise of one day growing “my own green thumb” just like hers!

Fascinated by the growth of tiny green seedlings that became crispy sweet snow peas, and watchful as meandering, rough leaves gave birth to brightly colored, crooked-neck squash; I was rapt, by the age of six to the bond I shared with God’s creation.

Lacy blue borage flowers found their way into wilted spinach salads, accompanied by tender fried squash blossoms; while nasturtiums lent their bright orange color and spicy bite to an array of meals. Each new planting beckoned to be picked then transformed into delectable dishes in my mother’s kitchen.

I helped my mom weed and harvest the garden each day, early in the mornings and in the late afternoons.  It was just about dusk on a balmy summer day when moms garden proved to be much more than a place to find fresh garden fare for our family table.

I was sitting on the hot brick patio, in our small backyard shelling peas, and watching as my mother pick lettuce and tomatoes for dinner, when my two oldest brothers, “the twins” come out to join us.  They both had a peculiar expression on their faces, reminding me of the one I had, when mom heard me utter the “F” word for the first time only a few weeks earlier.  Unfortunately, that moment didn't turn out so well. Brother Brad was fidgety standing above me and Brother Jeff had his hands stuffed deep in his pockets. Mom continued gardening in silence while the boys waited to gain enough courage to spit out their request. “Mom”, they both blurted out at the same time (being twins they did that a lot), “we were wondering if, um…can we try to smoke, um…some of your garden herbs?”  Not even looking up from her work and without a second thought she said, “Sure, go right ahead”. What? Did I hear my mother correctly? I was only twelve so maybe I was missing something. Astonished by the fact that she really meant it, I watched in disbelief as my brothers started smoking weeds from mom’s garden.

Mother went right back to gardening with very little expression or concern as the boys starting picking herbs, grass, weeds and blossoms.  I felt a little light-headed about the prospect of seeing my brother’s attempt such a bold act, right in front of mom, especially after the grounding dealt for using bad language.

Mother’s garden ran the length of our house and then around the side; filled with yellow squash, pumpkins and zucchini we learned that this was a place to tread carefully. The boys, stayed clear of the area concentrating on the mint, borage, dill and chives. Gathering their sampling of “tobacco” they began the process of pulling apart the herbs placing the stems in one pile and the flowering bits in another. As I recollect, they seemed very adept at their work.

After much care separating and sorting, the boys began to discuss which combination of herbs they would try first. Once decided, they both produced cigarette rolling paper from their trouser pockets and deftly, began to roll.  Another, moment of clarity washes over me now, knowing full well they had this moment planned for some time. My brothers were seniors in high school and it was smack dab in the throes of the 60’s, so seeing this shouldn't have phased me in the least. I mean, I did watch the evening news with my parents, and knew about free love, hippie vans, peace signs and the like, and I’d even seen the movie “Hair”. Armed with my twelve years of knowledge, I sat there with my mouth on the ground and watched in horror as my Mom just kept on picking.

The times were ripe with curiosity about marijuana, magic mushrooms and other mood altering drugs, so I had to suppose this is what drove my brothers quest to experiment in such a way, I just couldn’t get over the fact that mom continued to ignore them with such blatant disregard.

The first experimental joint seemed to excite the boys as they puffed the wet tobacco; giddy and so proud of themselves, they shared a high-five, all the while looking to me, to be a bit deranged.

The next paper filled with the flowering bits, and after a few puffs into the borage laced dooby, I noticed a strange green tint come over their faces. Jeff eyes crossed and glazed over, and Brad looked as if he would keel over at any moment. The fun came to an abrupt halt as I heard a slight moan escape their heaving bodies. Slowly, then at a dead run, they both sprinted to the family bathroom! Gruesome, were the sounds emitting from the back of the house. As if ripped from a trance, I saw movement coming from my mother’s direction.  Collecting the basket of freshly picked tomatoes and lettuce, stealth fully calm, she walked deliberately into the house.  As she passed me, taken aback to see her stoic demeanor crack for a moment, I saw a familiar and all knowingly gentle smile creep over her face.

Leading by example, Mom not only taught me how to garden, but to cook with heart and to be an adventurous eater. Now that I’m a mother and have experienced some teenage angst from my own children, I understand how Mom had remained so calm in the face of such defiance. You see, after years of experience and mature grace, mother’s and some father’s, are able to see into the future, read minds and see out of the back of the heads!

 

 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathie

    August 28, 2010 at 11:37 am

    I LOVE IT!!
    I was wondering when your brothers would glaze over. It didn't take too long and I'm sure your Mom did know exactly what would happen to them. LOL

    Reply
  2. Kimmie

    August 02, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    Hi from tropical QLD Australia. Thank you for stopping by my blog. It would seem we have a lot in common as well as we are both in blended families.

    Your blog looks gorgeous and I am off to read some more of it now :]

    Squishy hugs

    Kimmie
    x

    Reply
  3. Rebecka

    July 29, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    Alisa,

    I'm so happy you got a giggle out of my story. There are many more where that came from.

    My father traveled for his work about 60% of the time, so mom had to be pretty tough to put up with twin teenagers in the 60's plus my other older brother John. I was a perfect child so no problems there!

    We saw some pretty strange stuff during those years and mom perfected her "scary stare". She could freeze water with that look!

    I know you'll learn the same abilities as us "older mothers” as your son grows up. Believe me, perfecting the "stare" is imperative to your survival"

    Many Thanks for the visit!
    Rebecka

    Reply
  4. Alisa

    July 29, 2010 at 1:01 pm

    I couldn't stop laughing after reading your post! Your mom was so cool!I hope I could be as calm as you and your mom when my son gets to that stage too 🙂

    Reply
  5. Karen Harris

    July 28, 2010 at 9:09 pm

    Great blog Rebecka! I too was born in Texas and now live in Colorado (Castle Rock to be exact). I also love to can but am not as good at it as you appear to be. I have just put up some local tart cherry and serrano which came out great as opposed to my gasoline dill pickles of a year ago. Oh well, sometimes you win sometimes you lose! I'm looking forward to reading your future posts.

    Reply
  6. Rebecka

    July 28, 2010 at 4:48 pm

    @ Year On The Gril...Thank's for visiting my blog and for the nice compliment.

    I'm having a blast but I'm learning as I go. It's gonna take me some time to get it all figured out.

    I just moved back to the Rocky Mountains after living on an island in Florida for 5 years. I miss the ocean!!

    Enjoy your beautiful weather and a fancy island drink for me!
    Will be following you too.

    Reply
  7. A Year on the Grill

    July 28, 2010 at 2:00 pm

    1st time visiting. i am loving your blog. especially the drunken infused post.

    Will eb following close to see what you come up with... very poliched look for a new blog. Excellent

    Reply
  8. Rebecka

    July 28, 2010 at 10:45 am

    Thanks for visiting my blog Codee.

    Your blog is beautiful! I'll be following you as well.

    Being a newbie blogger it really helps getting advice from someone like yourself. Any comments or suggestions about my blog are appreciated.

    Reply
  9. Readable Eatables

    July 28, 2010 at 9:38 am

    Your blog looks great, I'm exited to keep up on it, I want to start canning in the near future. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. Rebecka

    July 28, 2010 at 8:36 am

    Thanks! I took the picture in Estes Park, Colorado while on a camping trip with my kids and husband.

    Thanks for checking out my blog. I hope to see you often!

    Reply
  11. Simply Life

    July 28, 2010 at 6:07 am

    Oh what pretty flowers!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Rebecka, living my best life in Denver, Colorado with my darling husband Blake. I’m a mother to five children, Gam Gam to seven priceless grandchildren, and doggie mommy to two fur babies. My most notable wins are Food Network’s, Clash of the Grandmas, and the title of BACON World Champion.

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Rebecka Evans-Freelance Writer at FYI50+ Magazine

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