Jar of Goodness 7.24.22: Menus for the Seasons

. . . The weekly virtual “gratitude jar.”

This week, I’m expressing thanks for my Uncle Richard.

He’s my godfather, he’s my woodsy uncle, my alternate daddy. He’s a retired conservation agent. He’s recently hit a rough patch, health-wise, and I feel like sharing one of his (((many, excellent))) writings. This is one of my favorites, because he didn’t work hard on it; you know it just flowed from his mind naturally, in a single, beautiful concept.

It’s also a testament to the women in his life, especially his mother (my Grandma Schroeder) and his wife (Aunt Carole), who always knew how to make the dishes of the seasons, which he clearly loved to the point of idealization.

Yeah, there’s longing in this list, the way we long for snow in July, warm sunshine and green things in January, rain during a drought.

Anyone from rural Missouri will understand at least some of this list. Understanding some of it means you get the rest of it, too, by extension.

To me, it’s poetry . . .

Feel better soon, Uncle Richard.

Menus for the Seasons

Winter
Stewed Rabbit
Dumplings
Cooked Carrots
Waldorf Salad with Black Walnuts

Spring
Baked Wild Turkey with Dressing
Morel Mushrooms
Asparagus
Mennonite Biscuits with Molasses or Honey

Early Summer
Creek Perch Fried
New Potatoes
Peas
Polk Greens
Raspberries and Ice Cream

Midsummer
Fried Catfish
Fried Potatoes with Onions
Coleslaw
Sweet Corn
Blackberry Pie

Late Summer
Frog Legs
Green Beans
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Blueberry Muffins
Homemade Ice Cream

Early Fall
Baked Doves
Baked Squash and Apples

Mid-Fall
Fried Squirrel
Biscuits and Gravy
Blackeye Peas
Sliced Tomatoes
Pecan Pie

Late Fall
B*B*Q Deer Ribs
Baked Potato
Cooked Turnips
Cornbread and Honey
Persimmon Pie

Early Winter
Baked Goose
Sweet Potato
Homemade Bread