Tobacco and Nostalgia
I recall from a few years back reading a book, I think it was titled The Complete Agrarian Reader, matter of fact I have read certain parts of it a 2nd and 3rd time since then. Anyway, that is not the point – the introduction of that particular book was written by Barbara Kingsolver, of some amount of fame as an author. I have, strangely enough, not read anything else she has written – though I probably should. Anyway, in this introduction she speaks of being in college and having as fond memories the smells and sights of tobacco being harvested and being around the barns where it was curing with an unmistakable nostalgia – but yet a certain amount of shame over her own history and association with tobacco amongst her college friends.
I find a kindred spirit in what she has to say. Having grown up on a farm raising and working in tobacco, not to mention the countless hours that I spent working in tobacco for other farmers in the general area where I grew up. I find it funny that I spent 18 years or so trying to get away from it and even deny it and now I get a goofy nostalgic smile when I see certain aspects of the tobacco process and wow the smells can take me back like nobodies business.
Anyway, the writing of this entry is over for the most part. I had noticed a three to four-acre field of tobacco last week on my way to work just starting to come in bloom in one part of the field. It has since, on the lower side mostly fully bloomed out in the pretty white and pink little blooms, while the upper side is still slightly behind. I try to recall when they were transplanted, I think they started on the upper side – which makes it slightly odd the lower side has bloomed first – nature tricks us though and so does memory sometimes. The beauty of the bright green leaves reaching skyward contrasting with the pink and white buds, in the long rows, with the slight crook on the near end was just so inviting. Anyway, I kept thinking that I needed to stop and snap some pictures to at least share with some friends in Northern Virginia that have likely not seen much of such a site before they topped it, er snapped out the buds.
Well, today I did on my way home. It was a heat index of over a 100 and just the strong fragrance of the tobacco warmed by the sun was intoxicating. It really took me back – I could have been there in a field on a late morning or early afternoon in a t-shirt instead of the nice button down, hands black with the gum and the smell in my nostrils so deep – and even better it was the 18-year-old me who weighed 170-180 pounds at the most. Anyway, before I am completely lost again, a photo expose of the field, first from the road at several different views, including a small barn that I am sure will house a small part of this field for curing in about another month – and then a few closer shots when you can smell the sweet odd scent slowly making its way up to you… we really need scratch and sniff computer screens.
So for my friends in Virginia and elsewhere – and even those here in Kentucky that have never experienced such up close, a pale comparison to being in the field, but some pictures. Maybe a few of you will one day get to walk into a field on a hot August day and experience it one day with me – but if not this will have to do.
Yes - I know exactly what you mean. Tobacco in the field or especially curing in the barn later in the fall, freshly turned loamy earth right behind the plow, a hay field one day after it cut, especially clover and alfalfa, even the scent of horses and to point even the manure - all sweet memories. Anyway, glad you liked the picture of the tobacco in bloom.
Scent is such an amazing thing it has an incredible way of reminding us of so many things...for me it's the dry dirt of a cotton field and the sweet smell of cows............yes I know, some hate it, but those remind me of carefree summers running around the ranch barefoot. I can't say I have ever seen a tobacco bloom, thanks for sharing.
[...] so far and highly recommend it to everyone. For a couple of examples, take a look at both the first tobacco gallery (that has now finally been restored using NextGEN), which shows the slideshow tool and the second [...]