投稿の詳細: 森の杏　Apricot in Mori

知り合いのジャム工房を訪ねて
杏で有名な森に行った。１０日ほど
前の開花予想では今日当りが満開の
はずだったのだが寒の戻りのせいで
杏はまだ蕾であった。暖かい日が戻れば
一気に満開になりそうなほどで、
景色は大分ピンクがかっていた。

定年退職してから本格的に
杏つくりを始めたその知人は
何箇所も杏畑を借りていて、
その他にも葡萄、色々な野菜
ジャムを作っている。米も
６反分ほど作っているそうで、
感心するほどの農家ぶりだ。
家には烏骨鶏まで飼っている。
堆肥も自前で、
自家栽培のフルーツを自分の
工房でジャムにして売っている。
よくもまあそんなに色々と
できるものだと感嘆。
「ずく」があるんだねえ。

そして何よりも驚いたのはその畑が
とても綺麗なことだ。森という
土地柄なのかもしれないが、
どの畑も綺麗なものだ。

畑の整備にしろ、日々の生活にしろ
口実を作って何かと後回しにして
しまう自分を反省。

I visited one of my friends in
Mori that is famous for its apricot
blossoms in Spring. According to
the blossom forecast around 10 days
ago, today would be the peak time
of the flowers. But by the recent
cold weather they were still buds.
Once warm weather comes back, they would
burst into full blossoms in one day.
The secenery was a bit pink by the
bud color. It is said one hundred
thousands trees in one sight there.

He started apricot growing after
he had retired around 6 years ago.
Now he rents a few apricot orchards
in addition to his own and grows
grapes, vegetable and rice.
He keeps hens and he makes his
own compost, too.
What's more, he makes his own
jam at his own factory with his
own fruits! What a industrious
farmer he is! He must have a
lot of 'zuku' .

What makes me surprised more is
that his orchards and farms are
very neat and cozy. I wonder if it
is because of the community attitude
of Mori. All the orchards there are
very nicely done.

I feel a bit ashamed of me for having
things undone in my vineyards and
in every day life with minor excuses.
I've got to do with more 'zuku' or
self-encouragement.