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Report From PIA – December 8

The temperature continues to drop in the Northeast and snow is predicted for tomorrow. No matter… I started the morning listening to Greg Brown’s song Canned Goods, so I’m focusing on what’s in my basement. Here are the lyrics:

Let those December winds bellow ‘n’ blow

I’m as warm as a July tomato.

[chorus:]

Peaches on the shelf

Potatoes in the bin

Supper’s ready, everybody come on in

Taste a little of the summer,

Taste a little of the summer,

You can taste a little of the summer

my grandma’s put it all in jars.

Well, there’s a root cellar, fruit cellar down below

Watch you head now, and down you go

And there’s [repeat chorus]

Maybe you’re weary an’ you don’t give a damn

I bet you never tasted her blackberry jam.

[repeat chorus]

Ah, she’s got magic in her – you know what I mean

She puts the sun and rain in with her green beans.

[repeat chorus]

What with the snow and the economy and everything,

I think I’ll jus’ stay down here and eat until spring.

[repeat chorus]

When I go to see my grandma I gain a lot of weight

With her dear hands she gives me plate after plate.

She cans the pickles, sweet & dill

She cans the songs of the whippoorwill

And the morning dew and the evening moon

‘N’ I really got to go see her pretty soon

‘Cause these canned goods I buy at the store

Ain’t got the summer in them anymore.

You bet, grandma, as sure as you’re born

I’ll take some more potatoes and a thunderstorm.

Peaches on the shelf

Potatoes in the bin

Supper’s ready, everybody come on in, now

Taste a little of the summer,

Taste a little of the summer,

Taste a little of the summer,

My grandma put it all in jars.

Let those December winds bellow and blow,

I’m as warm as a July tomato.

My favorite line is about how the canned goods that we buy in the store “Ain’t got the summer in them anymore.” Amen.

As the cold winds blow I give thanks for the taste of the summer that’s in my basement and freezer. If you haven’t yet started growing your own food, perhaps that could be a New Year’s resolution. Put the sun and the rain in with your green beans.

Hear the song, with extended comments, here.

Potatoes in the bin.

Potatoes in the bin.

"What with the snow and the economy and everything, I think I'll jus' stay down here and eat until spring."

"What with the snow and the economy and everything, I think I'll jus' stay down here and eat until spring."

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