Pickin' ...peas, peas, and more peas

This week, we were abundantly blessed with black-eyed peas. We took a little excursion to the Pollock's "Squash Field," where we picked corn, cucumbers, squash, and the above mentioned peas. As you can see, they were quite numerous, and I don't believe anyone associated with the peas has had any sort of lack of them, nor shall for quite some time! Thankfully, we love them! Thanks, Pollocks!

Note: Although squash now merely forms a minority of the the plant population there, that productive bit of ground will always be held by the "migrant workers" of Alturas as the Squash Field. [See earlier posts if puzzled]

Rosie poses with the peas. Not really a classic prop, but it does go well with our current theme.

Say peas!

Here, we are given a sneak peek at what the inside of all those pods look like. Hmmmm... Yup. Just as I expected. They're peas.




Please pass your peepers past this prolific pile of plentitudinous peas.
Sorry. Too much of one thing can really get to you...


Markie and Rosie picking (in the pretty little dresses Sarah made them). I'll spare you another sight of the "p" word.




Mary, Mama, and Aunt Molly. Mama and Aunt Molly are taking this chance to creakily unbend. If you will notice, pickers in the pictures are generally in a bent position, not from any preference, I assure you. However, after a while, one's thoughts begin to warm to the idea of never actually facing the pain of unfolding. After all, the life of a hunchback cannot be all that bad...

What'd I tell you! They're stuck.

Monkey see, monkey do...

Sarah thought this a nice picture, hence the border. I had a different caption but... "Nice pictures get nice captions."

Peter Piper Picked a Patch of Profuse Peas

Now, you'd think this was an action shot. "Girl Vigorously Picks Peas" Actually, notice the grip she has on them? Nobody really picks like that! She'd tear them in half! The sad truth is, this photo was staged!

"Awww!!! A picture?? Of ME??? Ok! Just let me get my look on!! One... two... three!!!"

Mary and I. And, no, we are not stuck. Merely bending for the exercise.

Mary seems to be enjoying her pea. James, however, I'm not sure about...

"Just spit it out, buddy, if you don't like it. Dude! I hate to see anyone's tastebuds in that much pain!"

Liv took a chance and stood up. You can see the agony... Jordan appears rather unsympathetic to her plight.

Sarah - fellowshipping with our Vegetable of the Month

"Mary.... uuuuuuhhhh... How... can I.. pick.. with.. you in... my.. bucket!"

Ariana and Jordan occupied on... peas?

Our own little migrant

"Mercy me! Isn't he funny!!!"

"Gabriel... Get a life..."

All in all, it was a grand day! We ended up with a meal and volleyball at the Stokes'.


The next day???? (to the tune of RAWHIDE!)

Shellin' Shellin' Shellin'
Oh, the peas we're shellin'
Hear the tale we're tellin'
Shell on!!!

Practicin' our spellin',
S-H-E-L-L-N,
Shellin' till the day is gone.

Pick em up,
Snap em wide,
Shoot em out,
Dump em in,
Cook em hot,
Eat em up,
Shell on...

(this was our pea shellin' theme song, along with the ever popular, somewhat repetitious, "The Navy gets the gravy, but the Army gets the beans, beans, beans, beans...")


Amanda and the Franklins were over, so we put them conveniently to work.
Well, actually, Amanda volunteered her slave labour, and she came over for that express purpose. Thank, y'all!!

Lookie there! A pea!

Yeah. Trust me. It's not the only one.



"Ha ha ha! Look at what Gabriel's doing now!!! I've got to reply!"

(Sample video sent to We-all-know-who)

Kitty's script follows..

"We... (Pause for dramatic effect) are shelling peas. (Make what is hopefully a cute little smile, then video-tape bowl of shelled peas) So... what are you doing? (At this point, get sympathetic look on face) I'm sorry your yard was so big. I hope your not too tired from spraying it. (By now, sisters are making disgusted faces, possibly noises. Get mature look on face, and glare at the offending parties in a half-amused, longsuffering way.) Would you guys cut it out?"

The video always cuts off precisely at this moment, so I cannot at this time give an accurate farewell. But... you get the idea...

Peter, Me, Mama, and Kitty

Sadie, Markie, and Rose.

In case anyone was wondering the outcome, the official CPSOA (Champion Pea Sheller Of Alturas) is none other than Miss Sarah E. Discher! (Faint applause in background)

That, ladies and gentlemen, is an accurate account of all our dealings with the peas.

Until next time,

Grace