Farming. It was our life and our livelihood. They had three kids and I wouldn’t have been quite a teenager as of yet. We as the Alsman Family were closer when we farmed. Grandpa Freddy was our rock and our foundation as a family. He kept us glued together. He prayed for us and with us, and as much as he played with us. My parents were all in being farmers so much that it was what I thought I would be as an adult. We watch our parents if we watch and like what we see we follow by their example, if we don’t like it that’s when we make our own way or departure from the family business.
I longed to be a farmer’s wife like my mom and grandma. It was simply not meant to be for me. I also thought music alone would be my church ministry so much has changed in my life. God has given me unique and life altering experiences that have made me wonder how I thought I could be a farmer’s wife after all.
From a small age I guess I watched these women be caretakers to their men and children, Church Community and not least, but lastly their family. Learning how to be a caretaker has still been a good chunk of my life. It is a family responsibility as well as Christian and the charitable thing to do as I have seen done most of my life even on the Bishop side of my family. I have had lots of examples of taking care of those I love and sometimes have to tolerate.
Besides the Alsman side, my Mom’s side of my family being farmers, Dad’s side also enjoyed working in the soil. I specifically remember seeing Grandpa and Grandma Bishop in their massive garden. Yet I can even remember Grandma Bishop talking about her father Grandpa Arla and calling his home in Carlise “The Farm.” I have some photos we found last year of such a thing. Daddy also came from some solid farm stock. Arla also enjoyed toiling in the soil making way for a massive operation I am certain for some canning. I also remember Grandma telling me the Lester’s didn’t need as much garden or canning as the Bishop’s did for their brood of 6 children when the Lester’s only had 4 children. I thought that was kind of funny for Grandma to say since there was only a difference between them of two kids.
However, the Alsmans didn’t have time for gardens because we were farming. I can attest to this personally. We tried to do gardens, but it took a toll on us to do it all when the three of us were little and still in school. Now though I enjoy canning. Dad finally has the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of growing a garden and the last couple of years has been a welcome change having some fresh and homemade pickles salsa and this past year tomato juice.
I loved when we worked as a family. We were together more and we were in tune and in church together. The past 6 years have been a bit off since our family had to leave farming as a livelihood. Gardening though has been a way to balance that a little bit for us. Being the historian and knowing why things happen and why families change is something always in the back of my mind. I am not sure this was the exact answer to this question but it sure is a long winded one.
Jewells of Thought 
Leave a comment