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Natalie L. McKenna's avatar

My Italian grandfather also spent am lot of time in his garden. It was an extra lot at the side of our house. He planted tomatoes, potatoes, corn, peppers etc. He also had grape vines growing surrounding the edge of the garden and made his own wine. My mom used to cook a lot of the tomatoes and put them in jars to have throughout the winter months. The following story was told to me by my parents when I grew up to my chagrin, as it was not something I remembered. My grandfather had his way of planting tomatoes in a row. He would dig a large hole, leave enough space in between the holes for room for them to grow He would then have what looked like part of an old broomstick and shaped one end to a point. He would then put a smaller hole in the middle of the deep hole and put the tomato plant root into the small hole and water each plant. On one occasion I was following him as he was planting and when he got to the end of the row he turned to see me with the tomato plants in a bunch in my little hand. He started to yell in Italian and I started to cry. My mom came out to see what was happening and That was he last time I helped grandpa plant anything.

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John C. Yuill's avatar

Ed, I once again read this endearing story as I did when you first published it. It is as refreshingly enjoyed as the first time I read it and reminds me of the importance of family. JC Yuill

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