Waitsburg "Gifting"

Since moving to Waitsburg about 18 months ago, I've noticed the noun "gift" has morphed into use as a verb. The "gifting" started my first morning here. I clumsily made it through the obstacle course in my rented cottage, strewn with 40 boxes previously shipped here and the eight suitcases that I brought with me on the plane, to answer the front door. There stood Karen, with a smile, two bottles of wine, and invitations to a New Years' Day Brunch and a birthday party. Invitations to parties and a gift of wine, a perfect start.

As I walked through town and met neighbors, I consistently heard the same offer. "When you're ready to start your garden, I have starts for you." Waistburgundians keep their word. The "gifting" started last spring with irises from Bill's iris field. I picked out a few, listened to the planting instructions and today the side of my house is filled with yellow, deep purple, variegated and yet-to-open irises. With each new color bloom, I send pictures to my friends, with the text, "look what I was gifted!"

Kate and Eric gifted us literally wheelbarrows full of day lilies, blue cornflowers, chives, rhubarb, and tomatoes, including the famous Hockersmith tomato that I've been told will grow to be as big as a cantaloupe. Ali & Brad also brought us some tomato plants, including a Paul Robison tomato. Out of respect for his beautiful voice and famous rendition of "Ol' Man River," I don't sing to the plant, but I do remind it daily, "I know who you are, please perform as well on the vine as you did on stage!"

We've been gifted about 30 Ziplock bags of vegetable, herb and flower seeds from Deb and Don, along with smoked cheese, arugala, chive flowers and more. Gail and Joe gifted us a lilac tree, along with a bunch of other plants, Jennifer gifted us lovage, onions, garlic and more. Susan gifted us mayo (a Daniel favorite), cucumber plants and chicken soup when I had a cold. Daffodils were gifted from Carl and Jody, and the list goes on.

In order to thank everyone for this great bounty, Daniel has been reciprocating by cooking. We have gifted loaves of his Waitsburg Country Bread, asparagus quiche, birthday cake soaked in rum, chocolate cake doused with orange syrup; and dirt! Yes, dirt, but it's the good dirt from Wenzel's.

We ordered amended dirt to fill the planters Daniel built for the myriad of plants and seeds we were gifted. Being city folk, I ordered about 10 times more than we needed, because I have no idea what a yard of dirt looks like. In my defense, I did get guidance from Wenzel's, after I provided them the dimensions of the planters. Seems their math is about as good as mine. They delivered and dumped 10 yards of dirt, which, turns out is an entire truck load. Along with baked goods, we now had dirt to share.

I sent out texts to people that I thought would be interested in dirt for their planters; luckily it was bed preparing season, happily we we're able to share. And, thankfully our giant mound of dirt is now reduced to flat dirt, optimistically waiting for grass to grow.

Becky recently gifted us rainbow trout, freshly fished from the Tucannon. Grilled with just olive oil, salt & pepper; it was truly a treat and it makes Albertson's fresh fish behind that foggy glass counter look anemic and pitiful.

We will keep baking and cooking to continue gifting, because I am surely enjoying the eggs, chocolate, fish, and everything we have been gifted. "Gift" is a good verb, and an even better shared with a great group of friends, neighbors and community-in fact, it is truly a gift to live here.