I just wanted to mention the bonanza I lucked into. We have six and a half acres of pasture land and since we don't use it and have no interest in haying it, we let our neighbor's three horses graze it which allows them to rest their own pastures. Also, once or twice a year the neighbors go away and ask us to keep the water trough filled with water (pump right there). I was out talking to the neighbor and getting the key to their house so I could bring in the mail when she said, oh by the way, the peas are coming in now and since we won't be back in time to pick them help yourself. Yippeee! I will be out there picking my little heart out and freezing them because the woodchuck has managed to lunch on mine before the plants are even six inches high. I was lamenting the fact that I wouldn't have any peas when I fell into this kind offer. She has quite a few pea plants so I should get a nice little haul.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), June 10, 2001

Answers

Thats great, English peas,you must live where it is cooler, I do pretty good with the snap kind if I plant in feb.and then we usually only get a taste, as they don"t like any heat and mildew. I admire you for picking, shelling , and freezeing, that is a job and a half. With love Irene

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), June 10, 2001.

Colleen, I agree with you. It is the right thing to do and while I do not believe I can change the world, I know I can do right by my friends and neighbors and associates, helping a little here and there, a dozen eggs or some pasture etc. Keep up the good work there! Maureen

-- Maureen Stevenson (maureen@mtaonline.net), June 11, 2001.

It really is true about giving and receiving. Years ago I had a bumper brussel sprout and celery crop (sorry, we like them), but my squash were destroyed by the squash bug. A firend came over to visit and noticed my sprouts. Said her family loved them but she never had luck growing them. Gave her a bunch and some celery. Next week she pulls into the drive and opens her trunk...it was loaded with squash.

What goes round, comes round and the more you give the more you seem to receive.

-- Cordy (ckaylegian@aol.com), June 11, 2001.

When I was a teenager, my dear grandmother fell and broke her hip. The neighbor who saw her and summoned help for her was hesitant to even recieve a verbal thank you from my family. He said something that stuck with me and I've tried to make it my life philosophy--"You can't always do a kindness for those who do one for you, but you can do one for someone else and pass it on." I guess he was paraphrasing casting your bread upon the waters or what goes around, comes around.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), June 11, 2001.