WordSisters

Author: cmkraack

  • Work is Work

    This past week I drove a loved family member to cancer radiation treatments, a first for me. One round of appointments was completed which, with agreement of the patient, was celebrated. Staff wearing silly headbands clapped as the patient rang a large bell. Lots of hugs and high fives were exchanged as music chosen by the patient played. Some folks danced. I took pictures for my relative’s wall. 

    Thankfully the media carried Kamala Harris and Tim Walz sharing smiles and high hopes in their political campaign because a lot of people need to see other people enjoying their labors, even twenty seconds of joy. I wouldn’t want their jobs unless something truly despicable was the alternative. I would love to spread some of their positive energy across all whose work is unseen or unknown. Work is work.

    This Labor Day weekend I wish I could embrace every person who works where the emotions and decisions are so immense. For those who hug, shake hands, wear sparkly hair baubles, bring cold water, sit in the quiet of difficult times, may you also find comfort. For people carrying hard news to virtual strangers or closing the doors of valued places, know that emotions projected by the impacted are not personal. It is hard to be on either side of that work.

    For the caregivers, the news bearers, everyone working to keep family alive, building tall buildings, fixing tires, mopping, cooking, gathering eggs whatever honest labor you do, thanks. Even the writers. We’re in this together. Happy Labor Day. 

  • Summertime Expectations

    This time of summer talk turns to tomatoes whenever a few Midwesterners gather. Leaf color, plant height, fruit size, bugs, skin splits suggest gardeners dominating the discussion. The rest of us wait to add our dinner plate observations about juice, pulp, flavor, returning to juiciness. If you like BLTs, caprese salad, a plate of tomato slices, the conversation always features juiciness. A BLT that doesn’t drip some combination of mayo and tomato down the side of the bread is just a sandwich that could be made any time of year.

    We’re having a mediocre tomato harvest in this part of the state. There’s tales about plants growing taller than their gardeners, producing a few blossoms, and two or three golf-ball sized fruit that stay green. More people had plants that developed brown leaves on the lower stem and minimum blossoms or fruit. A friend who usually pushes tomatoes and cucumbers on anyone who comes near his house has had about eighteen tomatoes this year from a half dozen plants. 

    The juice factor isn’t ranking as well as past years either. Caprese salad at a very good Italian restaurant last week had solid, almost too solid, tomato slices. Firm texture and minimal taste. Farmers market tomatoes had woody white streaks throughout the insides. The experts say these are signs of stressed plants as well as highly humid conditions during the wrong time of the season.

    So our tomatoes are stressed. That condition we all understand. So many things out of our control, but we all do our best to do our best. Makes me feel kind of bad for dissing tomato plant output. At this time of summer, optimism for awesome fresh produce dishes stays high. Heading back to the market to bring home new tomatoes with great expectations. Maybe the plants found a happier time later in the growing season to forget their stress.

  • July Thoughts

    The Fourth of July was a bittersweet holiday this year. The day before at a small-town store a husband told his wife that the dress she was considering made her look like a Democrat. That was worth pondering. The local parade crowd was silent when Republican candidates walked past, showed more enthusiasm when Democrats passed. Neither presidential candidate had a float or handed out materials.

    The Supreme Court has determined that we vote to be kind of governed, or maybe ruled. Presidential politics are represented by two old men who could be advisors, definitely not candidates.  Imposters are running for office in places where they don’t live. Folks throw tarantulas at the people they want to represent and seek election without the slightest idea of how to govern. It’s all about power these days. 

    I want my children and grandchildren to have the American life generations fought to build. We might have to fight for its return and hope the spirit of the veterans will be with those on the side of democracy. Stay strong. Happy birthday, United States.

    American marine tank rolls through Garapan, capital of Saipan