Prologue
“Karen Grace how are you on this fine day?”
“Still in the struggle. The world will not save itself, only
we can. And many of the we’s are all me’s.”
“I read through these stories. Your aunt sounds like a woman
who could change a world.”
“Carol changed her world, one small speck. I hope her story
will plant seeds to create landscapes of vitality.”
“There are so many lives woven into the fabric of her small
speck. Telling a tale that will capture a modern heart is a
tough task. The connection to the land and the knowledge to
adapt is lost now. Did you write all the stories?”
“Many were written by Carol. I just assembled them; some are
mine. What’s your impression?”
“I became immersed in your world. I hunger for those perfectly
ripe fruits, fresh out of the oven breads. Few have ever been
close to a farm; most people are filled with mythic images and
have lost touch with reality. I have your notes, the stories. I
concur in your belief that people can save a planet, by saving
themselves.”
“I never knew the land, until I came to know Carol. Now, I’m
on a mission. We need people to understand the land, to
understand the planet, and its climate. I want Carol’s voice to
be heard, not mine.”
“Your voice is integral to the story, but maybe it should be
singing harmony not lead. “
“I love Elly and Lizzie’s harmonies, much richer and complex
than a solo.”
“I know, you and those land spirits are a choir. I better get
started our planet cannot wait.”
Awakening
Karen Grace had spent very little time on the Parker family
farm when she came and renewed her connection with her aunt,
Carol Parker. Not unlike Carol herself who came back to a
family farm from the outside. Carol made a home, a business,
and a life for herself and others. I have found myself
flailing to convey Karen Grace’s lessons, ones grafted into
her very being as she put it. The stories were a jumble,
intertangled dialogs scattered over many generations. A puzzle
box of interconnecting lives dumped on my desk. I asked are
they all true? Karen’s answer was, “Well true in their own
sense of truth.” Karen Grace told me her reflections in the
ancient mirror opened her consciousness to her current life.
Karen Grace now lives with many lives or spirits melded into
her own sense of being, she feels connection to and
responsible to many generations.
Karen Grace Parker stood looking in the ancient mirror. How
long had it appeared when the closet door opened to catch the
light of a bright morning sun? Serving as an impassive
spectator an unbiased critic of the image it reflected. Old
now catching a new image of a young Parker, ghosting a hint of
a long line of wistfully inquiring viewers preparing for a new
day. Images debating, speculating, finding a self, less than
certain. They were leaving this morning, but her image
captured a present self along with all previous reflections.
She had come for a feeling of home, a fun diversion, and a
good grade. She stood feeling tied, a part of a long
connection. Now, having slipped into a unity outside time,
beyond a gravity of place. Was she paused before returning to
school? Or paused before another Spring morning with coffee on
the porch? Many reflections had looked here, asking who am I?
What of me? Now an image of Karen awakening to a life she
would always share, awakening to a true self.
Chapter One -- Paying Respects
I feel like an alien presence just moved into this small
community. If I am to become acquainted and learn their
lessons, I must know and understand many past lives. The first
story is of Eldon Parker, Karen’s great great grandfather and
JB Donaldson in 1973. JB, a young man with great mechanical
skills, who excelled at drunken brawls accompanied by a
running stream of profanity laced insults.
My thirsty wanted whiskey
But my hunger needed beans
But it had been a month of paydays
Since I'd heard that eagle scream
So with a stomach full of empty
And a pocket full of dreams
I left my pride and stepped inside …
Kris Kristofferson – I Beat the Devil
Apple Playlist -- Null Stillness -- Kristofferson
Paying Respects
“Hey JB, sorry about Grandma Dell”
“Yeah, she was ready, praying, and after the reverend came by,
peaceful. I come about the house, I know my folks and granddad
lived there and I wanted to know about my staying, now that
they’re all gone?”
“Well JB, I got no use for the house and your family worked for
me for a long time. I reckon you can stay. Don’t let it look
trashy!”
“No sir; I mow the yard. I don’t need no junk.”
“Now JB, I ain’t much younger than your Grandma Dell. When I die
family will get everything including your house. None of them
have lived here and I suppose there will be a big sale. They
couldn’t farm, wouldn’t know a plow from a turnip. Think they’d
starve – You might save up, then offer to buy it from them.”
“Well, Mr. Parker I ain’t never saved much money. Even in ‘Nam
when there was nothing to buy, always came up short.”
“JB you’re your own man, not my way to tell a man his business.
But maybe find another hobby, one to replace bars and fights.
Your booze bill and fines would take a bigger wad than I got.”
“I know I know, but those hippie pussies just never know when to
shut up. Then I show them, they need to learn a little respect.”
“Country been fighting long enough. Government didn’t do you
boys any favors, but hurting those punks isn’t going to heal
yourself. Must be costly paying for other people’s hospital
bills.”
"But when they get me going – yeah I know, I been fixing those
tractors for nothing with the judge garnishing all my wages.”
“OK JB, just keep the place up and try to take care yourself,
how old are you now?”
“I am 23, sir.”
“Still young, a lot of time left, if you slow down to live
it”
“Thank you, Mr. Parker don’t feel young, feel used up.”
“Maybe go fishing at the pond, take that fight to a bass –
fishing rights go with the house, as long as there is no
drinkin.”
“Do you need that IH hydrostat maintained? I had a lesson on one
the other day. I know it is handy around the farm, but many
don’t watch the fluids and filters.”
“Yes, it is handy here. I’d appreciate your help. I bought it at
a sale; it didn’t come with a book. Ever since your Dad was
killed, I have been working more with Max Greene. I use that 656
more often than any other tractor. His bigger rig does most of
the plowing.”
“I’ll stop Friday after work and check it out.”
“I do miss your Dad; I will never forget that day. I had the
best man to work with here any farmer ever had.”
“Wish I had been back then. It was tough on my mama. Grandma
Dell pulled everyone through it. “
“Your Grandma Dell was one tough lady, and kind to everyone. Try
to take care of yourself, JB.”
"I’ll do that Mr. Parker. See you after work on Friday. I have
cut back on drinking, I’ve been too broke after paying my fine.
Enough gas to get to work, some meat for a sandwich, and a case
of Busch at home on the weekend. I know you’d leave off the case
of beer, Mr. Parker”
“I would JB, I would advise you of that. Look around at the old
geezers here. It may surprise you how young some of them are. A
man’s body stops healing up fast. Look at old Pete there in
Franklin.”
“Pete’s older than the hills, living a tough life.”
“Pete is younger than me; I was out of school before he started.
Like I said take care of yourself, I like you Donaldsons want
you to be around awhile.”
“Thank you, Mr. Parker. I’ll keep the place up just like
Dad did”
"After your Dad died Dell was up on the roof fixing her own TV
antenna, I saw her one day from the field. Told me she liked the
view up there. Dang she was a spunky old gal."
“She was Mr. Parker, she was. See you Friday.”
