Heritage Potatoes
In the mid 1800s one of the most valuable crops grown in Sonoma County was the potato. The preferred variety was called Bodega Red. These were grown in the valley between our farm and the coast, near the town of Bodega. It's to this day a low water area (which is why there are not 50,000 homes there now) so they were grown with skillful and timely tillage and sowing techniques, no irrigation. An article at the time noted "In l859, "60,000 sacks of potatoes were shipped from Bodega." I can't find the cite but have heard it repeatedly: one bushel of Bodega Reds would buy one acre of farmland. Most of the potatoes went to San Francisco to "feed the 49ers."
As time went by other crops gained in importance and finally the Bodega Red was considered extinct. Within the last few years, however, there were rumors that there were still some around, in private gardens. Although most of these wanted to keep them private, one anonymous family member slipped a woman who was the director of the Sonoma Land Trust five tiny potatoes, the size of one's little finger. This treasure has expanded such that the Bodega Red is becoming viable once again.
Last Fall we bought a bag containing 11 potatoes. Not cheap. They hung in our basement until yesterday. Sprouts abounded, some growing right through the burlap sack. I dug 11 holes, saving the dirt for later mounding, and planted them all.
I covered them all with dirt, then a wire guard, because those sprouts might be tempting to birds. As the plants grow I'll continue covering the leaves with dirt until I have 11 mounds, Since I know they were successfully grown without water I will be careful about watering. In the middle of summer I expect to get 12-20 potatoes per mound if I'm lucky.
On a completely different topic, many of you know about our long-time dear friend who is suffering the effects of Alzheimer's. She went on our Kossack bird hike on the Marin Headlands years ago and met some of you. There has been a steady decline since then, easily observable as we visit her roughly once a month. Although she has kids and caregivers there arose a need for some extra help for several weekends this Spring. We are on the schedule for three, one of which was this weekend. It has been very difficult for us, in care as well as the sadness of seeing the decline and being aware of the acceleration of the decline. We empathize so much with those who have a family member with this cruel cruel disease and have to be caregivers all or even part time.
Although I haven't seen it (yet), the recent movie Still Alice will no doubt bring awareness to many who have not had to deal with it. But I know enough about the movie to understand the title, because Elaine is still Elaine. Always generous to a fault, she brought me a gift for the small pre-birthday party we had last night…..9 bottles of wine!
Well potatoes are a more pleasant subject than Alzheimer's but both are are part of life. We can kibitz about either, both, or "something completely different".
Kitchen Table Kibitzing is a community series for those who wish to share part of the evening around a virtual kitchen table with kossacks who are caring and supportive of one another. So bring your stories, jokes, photos, funny pics, music, and interesting videos, as well as links—that you think this community would appreciate. Readers may notice that most who post diaries and comments in this series already know one another to some degree, but newcomers should not feel excluded. We welcome guests at our kitchen table, and hope to make some new friends as well.
Recommend current diaries and share on social media for impactful viewership and activism. Your support of Kitchen Table Kibitzing friends is appreciated.
Climate Action Hub
The Inoculation Project: Science and Math in Red State Schools
KosAbility
Find a Daily Kos meet-up near you!
Connect! Unite! Act!