Corn, Corn and more Corn

Dad came down Thursday night with his van loaded down with sweet corn. Yesterday morning at first light, he and Becky were out shucking and setting up tables to work on getting it all into freezer bags. I joined them around 7:00 and got busy cleaning and blanching ear after ear of pretty yellow corn. Last year we estimated that we froze between 70 and 80 quart of corn. This year I purchased enough bags and freezer boxes for 80 quart thinking that would be plenty. Had we actually finished it would have been a little short I think.

I still have corn from last year in my freezer and it’s still quite good so I wasn’t in a big rush for more. Dad didn’t really want much for himself, he just grows it for us and as much as I appreciate it, I was not in the mood to be on my feet and in the heat yesterday. However, once I got into it I really started to enjoy the challenge. Something about the rush to get it done before the heat really sets in, seeing it all complete and in bags, cleaning that final piece of silk off that last ear of corn and knowing that all the hard work would last us a long long time is rewarding. Oh, and it tastes really good too.

We were about 40 quart in when we really began to feel the weight of it all. There were still more than 8 dozen ears to husk and clean when dad brought me another load ready to wash. He sort of smirked and said, “I’m tired…I just want to take a nap.” And with a comical whine added, “I don’t want to do this anymore.” I had to laugh. If you know my dad, quitting or even acting like he’s bored or finished before he’s actually finished is not in his nature. Becky and I agreed however, that we really had more than enough. She didn’t have space in her freezer for more than about 20 quart and though I have a little more space I didn’t need it. So we began making phone calls and decided to give bags of sweet corn away by the dozen. I knew I would be seeing Tisra and Amy today and knew they would appreciate the bounty. Amber also, could use some I was sure and indeed I am hauling it to the church this morning in coolers to hand over to them after my diaper shower.

The rest of the corn that we had already husked and cleaned was waiting for our hands to get back to work. We scuttled about with renewed vigor knowing we had the last of it in front of us. When all was cut from the ears, bagged and counted we had nearly 60 quart to divide between us.

I only wish I had brought my camera or even stopped long enough to use my camera in my phone. Owen helped husk at one point in the morning and he and Hope looked so cute sitting in the back of Grandpa’s van pulling the green husks from the corn. I was told later that one of them mentioned this being his or her “grandpa” and the other insisted it was not, because it is “my grandpa.” I guess the argument went on for a little while each insisting ownership of grandpa.

I was able to get it home and unloaded while the boys slept in the van. Their only nap for the day was interrupted but not conquered when I brought them inside. It was almost dinner time so I was hoping to wake them and get them happy before Kris came home. They were too exhausted. Owen dropped into a ball on the rug in the laundry room and never moved, Ivan got to the couch but quickly regained sleep there. I was nasty sweaty and needed a shower desperately. Showers are such a pleasure at such times. My little stand up, fake tile pod of a shower was like a spa retreat at that moment.

Kris brought dinner home and the boys woke up just enough to eat. We all relaxed and enjoyed each other the rest of the night. It was, all in all, a good day.