Johnny Peach Pit

Summary

The author, an avid peach enthusiast, laments the loss of Colorado Western Slope peaches due to a late frost but finds hope in a small shipment of peaches, inspiring them to pursue their childhood dream of planting peach trees.

Abstract

The article describes the author's deep love for peaches, particularly those from the Colorado Western Slope, and their disappointment upon learning that a late frost destroyed most of the peach crop. Despite the setback, the author cherishes a small, albeit imperfect, shipment of peaches that arrived in their town. This experience reignites their lifelong aspiration to plant thousands of peach trees, a dream they compare to that of their childhood hero, Johnny Appleseed. The author has been saving peach pits with the intention of sprouting them and plans to start planting them as winter approaches, optimistic about fulfilling their dream of spreading peach trees, potentially earning them the moniker "Johnny Peach Pit" or "White Feather Peach Pit."

Opinions

The author holds Colorado Western Slope peaches in the highest regard, considering them the best in the world.
The late frost that devastated the peach crop is seen as a significant personal loss, almost bringing the author to tears.
Despite the peaches' smaller size and bruising, the author finds them "fantastic" and regrets not being able to purchase more.
The author has a profound admiration for Johnny Appleseed and aspires to emulate his tree-planting endeavors with a focus on peach trees.
There is a sense of self-reproach for not having started on the goal of planting peach trees earlier, coupled with a renewed determination to begin.
The author believes it's never too late to pursue childhood dreams, as exemplified by their commitment to planting peach pits.
The author is eager to share their story and the upcoming pursuit of their dream, hinting at a potential future identity as a well-known planter of peach trees.

The hero I want to become

Image by Alicja (Pixabay)

The end of July is when the Colorado Western Slope peaches arrive here in my little town on the Great Plains of Turtle Island. Normally it is a time of extreme jubilation on my part for I am an ardent peach freak. Peaches are my favorite fruit and in my opinion Colorado Western Slope peaches are the best peaches on the planet.

A couple of months ago, however, I was talking to the woman who runs the fruit and vegetable stand out on the highway where I normally get my peaches and she said that the Western Slope of Colorado suffered a devastating late frost this spring that wiped out most of the peaches. I almost cried.

But she said they still might get a few in.

Well, last week they got in a small shipment. The peaches were smaller than they normally were and, for some reason, they were rather bruised. But they were fantastic! I wanted to buy a whole box but I didn’t have enough moola on hand so I bought eight.

As soon as I got home I ate three peaches straightaway, one right after the other. I immediately slipped into a state of nirvana.

The good news is that they will be getting one more shipment next week.

All kids have heroes, right? Well, when I was a kid my hero was Johnny Appleseed. That guy spread fruit trees everywhere he went. It is something I have always dreamt of doing. (Yes, I am a tree freak.) Of course I’d rather plant peach trees than apple trees. My goal since childhood has been to plant thousands and thousands of peach trees everywhere I go. Sadly, it is a goal I have yet to fulfill — or even get started on.

After finishing those three peaches I washed the pits and set them out on a paper towel to dry. Then I reached into the back of one of my kitchen cabinets and pulled out a large glass jar containing the peach pits of all the peaches I’ve eaten over the last couple of summers. Seeing the jar was almost full, I realized that I was going to need to get a bigger jar.

Many years ago I had planted several peach pits but nothing ever grew. I knew there had to be a trick to it and I have always meant to do the research needed to find out how to sprout them. I kept putting it off, though.

Well after eating those three peaches I was overcome with determination and I started googling. Who knew peach pits need to be googled before they will sprout?

It turns out the best time to plant peach pits is just as winter sets in. So I will have to wait before I get fully started on my life dream. In the meantime I can sure enough collect more pits. And that will be a true joy.

“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.” — Tom Robbins

I know I’ve said it before but I really mean it this time. I may be an old fool now but it’s never too late to start spreading peach trees everywhere I go. I can still fulfill my dream. Some day I might become famous and become known as Johnny Peach Pit — or rather White Feather Peach Pit.

Just remember that you read it here first.

Speaking of fruit…

Johnny Peach Pit

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