*For the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge
Today, in the living room, a cactus is growing, occasionally blooming. The plant sits in an Ontario-made crock, decades old and very similar to the crocks used by my mother for canning pickles — 9-day pickles, to be exact.
These pickles were crunchy and sweet with just enough tang to make them the perfect accompaniment for sandwiches and light lunches. Each year, baskets filled with cucumbers were harvested from the garden, washed, trimmed at the ends and sliced lengthwise into 3 or 4 sections. These green spears were placed in crocks, soaked and rinsed and soaked again in a series of water/vinegar/brine baths.
The nine-day process was an annual tradition for which we children were grateful through the long winter when grocery stores were not filled with a cornucopia of fresh produce throughout the year.
Ironically, it seems that canning has made a comeback. Stores and websites are full of canning supplies and recipes. To be honest, I have not picked up on the craze. Occasionally, I have made some chili sauce from one of the old recipes; however, I am not sure that I will try the 9-day pickle operation.
This Relic photo prompt reminds me of some more relics from the past, ones with a traditional faith-based focus. These relics — rosaries, medals, prayerbooks — are not part of a photo collection. They are carried with me, in spirit, every day, reminding me of parents and grandparents who left us with these treasures.
Have a great weekend, All!
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