Shhhh . . . I’ll dish some dirt. I’ll let you in on a little secret. Growing up in southeast Nebraska, where the soil reminds me of moist German chocolate cake, my preschool self decided, well, to investigate the gooey richness. One spring day when my dad was delivering tractor fuel to a farmer on the edge of town, I gleefully rode along. I loved tagging along with Dad in his Elk Oil & Co. heavy-duty fuel delivery truck.
On this particular afternoon while Dad pumped fuel from his tanker truck to the farmer’s metal storage tanks, I investigated the freshly plowed cornfield next to the gas truck. Awwww . . . that black soil smelled so earthy, almost fruity with a hint of chocolate. In a flash, I dug my hand into the dark terra firma and shoved a wad into my mouth.
Sphew! Yuk. What appeared so tantalizing to my taste buds was terribly bland. The next thing I knew, Dad was standing over me wiping my mouth out with his clean, white handkerchief. My curiosity created a mini mud pie in my mouth that was anything but sweet. Of course, good-natured Dad cleaned me up without harsh scolding. If I recall, he was lightly chuckling at my adventurous spirit.
You Are Life-Tested
I have to admit that adventurous spirit has served me well over the years. Starting my first business at age 13 (mowing lawns, a mortuary and a cemetery). Reporting on people and news stories in nearly twenty countries. Climbing mountains. Writing books. Showing dogs. Creating this blog.
But shhhh . . . I’ll dish some dirt. Some good dirt this time. What feeds my adventurous spirit? YOU. Remarkable people like you. I just love digging deep and uncovering the brave and beautiful stories of everyday sojourners. Life-tested individuals like you and me who refuse to quit and keep bending our way through the obstacles and challenges that thud in our path.
So these days if you want to escape a bit from the confines of COVID-19, just know that I’m here thinking of you. Without you in my life, my words would fall on fallow ground, maybe even a freshly plowed cornfield.
I’m also contemplating how inviting my flowerbeds’ springtime soil looks and smells this week. No worries. I gave up eating dirt after my first attempt. But maybe I can interest us both in a cup of coffee and real German chocolate cake. Here’s to the adventurous bend-on spirit in all of us!
I love your spirit! And I agree. On to new adventures wherever they may lead us!
Thank you, Nancy! Cheers on new adventures in your life too!
What a great memory, Beth! And yes on the cake! (One you can eat of course!)
Nancy,if I could make or buy a wheat-free, corn-free German chocolate cake, I’d love to share with you. I’ll would need is just a small piece. I haven’t had that cake in decades.
Awesome and adorable! You have accomplished much in your life. Good for you. Hope to have coffee with you soon!!
Thank you, Daria. Coffee with you would be wonderful! Maybe a Zoom coffee talk. 🙂
Oh, Beth!! How spot on! I love your writing and your perspective! Your adventurous spirit has indeed served you very well!
Oh, thank you so much, Carla. I appreciate your encouragement. I am fairly adventurous, but once I make a mini mudpie mistake, I do typically learn from that. 🙂
My little brother did the same thing with dirt clods in the garden. 😉
You mean I’m not the only kid who has tried this? 🙂 I hope your little brother never repeated his earthy entree again.
Oh Beth…the picture is priceless..should be blown up and framed!! Nothing like an old truck and dirt….as always…you are amazing!! You make soil so inspiring….of course!!!
Angie, I LOVE this photo too. You have me chuckling about me making soil sound so inspiring. My soils and botany professors would be proud. Wanna grab some coffee, even Nebraska soil, with you soon.