I’ll Take Some Potatoes and a Thunderstorm…

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.