A story of gardening in one local family
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A view of Don Block's garden from the patio. (Courtesy photo)
A view of Don Block's garden from the patio. (Courtesy photo)
A view of Don Block's garden from the patio. (Courtesy photo)
A view of Don Block's garden from the patio. (Courtesy photo)
I love fall! But, I have to say that I am not yet ready for a change in seasons, for one reason. When I open our den blinds each morning, I am greeted by a peek-a-boo glimpse of the most beautiful, dancing color in our neighbor’s yard and, they bring a smile to my face. I am going to miss those morning greetings.
Monday morning was breaking, but the sun was not yet shining on the blossoms as the nights grow longer, a sign of God’s faithfulness. This season and my cheerful morning greetings are drawing to a close. The notion hit me that, it is not just a garden of beauty, but a story of a love for gardening and family that shall not soon fade.
Sitting in the living room with Korean War veteran Don Block is always a delight. I just had to hear the story of his passion for gardening. As we sat in the living room which boasts a large pictured window overlooking the large garden, I was told it is but a fraction of the size, compared to what it was in the early '60s. It’s hard to believe that it could be any bigger or more beautiful.
Don and his wife of 63 years had five children and spending time outside in the garden was a family affair. Don worked at the former Manistee Iron Works for 28 years and his wife Carol worked at the Manistee County Care Facility. After a hard day at work and a hearty home cooked meal was devoured, they would all head outside to tend garden. It was mostly a vegetable garden during the years the kids were at home.
Carol never had much to do with the garden during the planted or growing, but was joyful in the harvesting and “putting up” of the massive fruits of the family labor. Don’s daughter Kay, fondly remembers the popping noise on the jars during the annual canning of pickles, beets, corn, squash, pumpkins, peaches and pears.
Kay justified Carol’s absence during the planting saying, “Dad is too much of a perfectionist about his garden.” I smile, feeling thankful for his precision each morning.
They all seemed to know their roles and did them well never knowing hunger, even when Iron Works closed. Don then did odd jobs for much lesser pay but, there was always food to go around. The kids always enjoyed the smells coming from the kitchen when the bus arrived after school knowing Carol had fixed a fine family fare.
As the kids grew and left the home, the passion of gardening didn’t dwindle. The garden slowly shrank and perennials and annuals with colorful blooms replaced the annual greens, reds and oranges of the vegetable garden. At 89 and with Parkinson’s Disease residing a decade within his tall frame, Don still tills a small plot for vegetables and the larger plot for flowers and herbs.
His planning starts when the snow is still flying. I remember on his birthday in March seeing trays of seedlings sitting in the dining room window being tenderly and lovingly cared for until they could be safely put into their designated spots. As apprentice’s working under the Master Gardener, his daughters busily dig and plant as ordered and sit back as they have for years, waiting for the green sprouts to spring forth into a beautiful bounty of color. Don said as he looked at the picture of his beloved wife Carol, “It’s a tribute to her.”
We talk about the deer who visit and our resident bear and family knowing they must not like tomatoes. Kay fetched one of his prized tomatoes and a small grin comes across his face as he affirmed, “That’ll fill your bread.” Then he described the second round of radishes they just harvested as Kay takes a savory bite. Don adds, “And they aren’t hot either!” The joy I saw on the faces of these two just talking about the fruits of their labor pretty much says it all.
Carol was diagnosed with cancer and fought for a very long time with the best attitude I have ever witnessed. She was brave without boasting and when her family came, she went out of her way to make the home smell of good food, reminiscent of years gone by. When she got too frail to go out to see the garden, Don would bring in a handful of carefully selected cheer and, sit them by her recliner or, on the TV stand where her urn currently sits by her picture. Carol passed on Dec. 13, 2018, but her beloved Don is well taken care of by his children.
As I sat visiting with Carol one day in the late fall of 2018 she stared out at the garden that had been tilled under. She told of how the spruce trees were “just tiny little things when Don planted them,” and now they stand a good 50 feet tall or more. Though in Hospice Care, she had hope as she peered out the window stating she couldn’t “wait for spring and summer to come again to see Don’s beautiful flowers.”
One of the things I think is most special about this garden, is what I have witnessed take place in the family over time. As Carol and Don matured and were each afflicted with health issues, their children drove for hours from Colorado, Illinois and downstate to spring clean the house and make sure their “Dad’s Garden” would be viewed through that large picture window. As I look at the garden which now fades into fall, I can only say that I hope to see next spring, those ”blossoms of love.”
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October 14, 2020
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Blossoms of love - Manistee News Advocate
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