25 July 2019
Wherever you live, I am sure that there are certain characteristics that define "home" for you, make it "your place," so to speak.
One of the distinguishing features of The Region of Waterloo, Ontario, where Miriam and I live, is the presence of a large Mennonite community. Like every religion, it seems, it is broken into factions, with different levels of adherence to ancestral Mennonite beliefs and traditions, but there is a substantial community of Old Order Mennonites that still hews to ancient dogma and rejects many of the trappings of modern life.
Everyone is familiar with the old expression "Make hay while the sun shines;" well, that applies equally to bringing in the sheaves of wheat.
When we passed a field with the sheaves neatly stooked, and saw a horse-drawn dray, we could not resist stopping to watch.
As you can see this is a labour intensive process, and all members of the family (and friends too) are pressed into service.
Children from an early age have chores to do, and this boy, too young to heft the sheaves, is nevertheless expected to help.
His hat is a little battered, and somewhat the worse for wear, but I am sure he thinks it is just perfect, and no doubt he enjoys being with the men, and taking part in the important work of harvesting the grain.
When the dray is filled to capacity, it is time to head for the barn to unload.
A second contingent is already loading up as row after row of wheat is tossed onto the wagon. This boy has graduated to a new hat it seems!
This is hard, physical work, and the temperature was around 28 degrees, but the men worked without a break and none slacked off.
In no time at all the cart was more than half full.
Back at the house the women folk had been busy too. Laundry hanging on the line was proof enough that good weather was an opportunity not to be missed.
Inside the home much preparation would be underway preparing supper for the men. After such a day's exertion they would no doubt have prodigious appetites, and the table would be laden with bread and apple butter, regardless of what was to follow - likely meat, potatoes, vegetables - and perhaps a shoofly pie for dessert. Not for these folks quiche and salad sprouts!
Two youngsters had carefree moments on their bikes, but in a few more years they will join the band of workers too.
As we drove away, the barn waited for its next load.....
.....and the house had an air of neatness and tranquility, a fitting refuge no doubt after a hard day under the hot sun.
We may not have much interaction with the Mennonite community, nor they with us more than is necessary, but I for one am mightily pleased that they are here in our midst. It just wouldn't be home without them.
