Forager or gleaner??

St Bartholomew. Monday 24th August, 2020

In the gospel it is reported that Jesus said of Bartholomew that he was a man without guile. That is something I would have been hugely proud of and is one of the great compliments of today when we seem surrounded by guile and deceit. Also at my Father's funeral many said of him that he was a man of total integrity. That too is to me one of the greatest of accolades....he was truly so. I fail yet try to emulate.

Starting with that claim of Jesus I was in ebullient mood as I set out for a day to myself. Starting at the local and very helpful garage I presented my car with two damaged side mirrors. Both over the last months have been swiped by passing cars and in neither case was a note of apology left. Deceit....indeed. Asking the chief mechanic re replacements he sagely nodded his head and gave me an estimate or two. The correct direct via the makers way would cost about £560. Quite honestly the car, an old Ford, is not worth that amount in itself. It is not my car but borrowed so I now turn to the owner and gulp!

In a mildly depressed mood I sallied forth to pick plums from a friend's tree. With a shepherd like crozier and surrounded by buzzing wasps and bees and stinging insects I rescued and picked about 8lbs worth, still leaving sufficient for an army of wasps. I ate quite a few...delicious but I have an incipient stomach ache. Greed leading to a fall!

Then somewhat surprised I was asked to stay to lunch...mouth watering. Prawns and avocado, then scallops in cheese and mushroom sauce followed by chocolate delight...three types of chocolate in mousse form with cream and butterscotch.....greed again.

My hostess gave a garnish of broccoli in butter and pine nuts. Delicious. I was amazed when she said she and her husband had gleaned them. She pointed to a field being ploughed nearby. The farmer was ploughing broccoli in to the soil and he was then going to do the same on a nearby potato field. Off we shot and joined a few others and I picked two carrier bags of broccoli and potatoes. I was utterly delighted by this and the farmer beamed. But then saddened that masses of broccoli and potatoes were being left to rot or to be ploughed in, enough to feed at least a thousand people. The farmer dare not tell of the pickings for fear of theft, abuse and much else but invited me back next year!

On my way home the sun came out for half an hour so I stopped, looked over the Tay, breathed deeply and marvelled at life. Then I drove on to deliver part of my gleanings to a friend who is ever supplying me with fresh produce.

A truly remarkable day once I suppressed the £560 bill!

I feel so refreshed....having been with the soil again and forgetting the Covid disruptions.

Just before writing this an email came through telling me of the death of a wonderful, kind, good nun who helped me for years through feeling of gloom and depression. She will, I am sure, rest in peace. And she will be at the heavenly banquet with the others of no guile and with I hope gleaned goodies to enjoy. Her joy added to mine for all shall be well and she lived to see God and will be face to face with Him now.