
From My WindowIssue Date: August 26, 2020 Too Much of a Good Thing
By Jane Thibodeau Martin,
One of the very best things about moving back to Wisconsin is the gardening. I take no credit for the fact we are having bumper crops this year. I think it was great weather and Mike's judicious use of the tiller, but we are picking beans five times a week, can see a tsunami of tomatoes coming, and the cucumbers"¦..well, the cucumbers are nearly a full-time job for me.
I preface my comments about the astonishingly prolific cucumbers by stating we do not plant zucchini. I do like them, baby ones are great in stir fry, and I have a recipe for zucchini quiche we both like. But as anyone who lives around here knows, zucchini grow like the national debt. Gardeners who do grow it soon run out of ways to use it. They make the pickles, shred it into breads and bury it in chocolate to disguise it, but you can't eat your way out of zucchini production even if you have ten kids. You have to distribute them far and wide, and still end up flinging huge ones that appear literally overnight into the shrubbery (where, at least at my house, even the deer, who eat literally any human crop, won't touch them.)
So people who raise zucchini always have some in their vehicle and they proffer them at gatherings, during business transactions and through a sort of vegetable "secret Santa" where you find them on your porch, in your mailbox or in your unlocked vehicle. Honestly, I think we could solve world hunger with zucchini, especially if someone could come up with a variety that tasted really good!
Last year we had 3-4 hills of cucumbers, and had a nice supply for our table and some to gift to others. But they had some sort of blight, and we really could have used a few more. So this year we have five over-achieving hills.
I have made refrigerator pickles, freezer pickles and we eat them for lunch, snacks and at dinner. I have now taken three big bags to my Wausau sister-in-law to give away at her condo complex. I have given them to my mom and sister, and offered them to others. But everyone seems to have enough this year, and I am still picking about 10-20 a day, with dozens of babies growing on the vines.
Cucumbers are delicious and since they are 95% water, very low calorie. I think I burn off the calories from eating my fill of cucumber just picking them. (For maximum nutrition you should eat the peel. On young cucumbers it is not at all objectionable. ) The most popular use of cucumbers, though, is our beloved pickles. Even children who won't eat plain cucumbers normally like pickles.
I picked cucumbers yesterday, filling a big basket. Many of those are sliced up in vinegar brine and/or cut up and refrigerated for snacking. There's a big heap left on top of the counter waiting for processing. Today there were a couple dozen more of a size that dictated immediate harvest.
I mulled over trying to find a food bank, but that would involve an hour round trip car journey, unappealing with the rest of the things I needed to do, and decidedly un-environmentally friendly. (I pictured the food bank flooded with zucchini, with two rented warehouses across town loaded with them and more being brought from home gardeners via dump trucks.) No, it would be good to check into this and combine it with my next trip to "town," but I needed a more expedient solution to my cucumber problem today.
Ah! Church tonight! I told Mike I was going to fill a grocery bag with cucumbers and leave it at the church entrance before Mass that afternoon. He wisely suggested labeling the bag "free cukes," because otherwise people would assume it was a new clever ploy to get rid of zucchini. Good point! I wrote on the front of the bag in big letters, took the short drive to church and abandoned the bag in the covered entryway like an unwanted infant.
Later that afternoon, my Des Moines sister in law and her husband stopped in for a socially distanced visit. I went out to the garden and found a dozen more cucumbers for her!
I know in two months I'd give anything for fresh cucumbers, when all that will be available is the perfectly unblemished, straight, dark green and tasteless ones coated in wax at the grocery store. But for now, I am treading water in the onrushing flood of cucumbers, unwilling to waste a single one and plotting my next move " maybe leaving some in unlocked cars. And I am deeply grateful I don't have zucchini to cope with too!
Book I am reading: "Strangers in Their Own Land" by Arlie Russell Hochschild. A celebrated sociologist and author writes about the heart of our political divide. My sister recommended this book. We owe it to ourselves and our country to try, really try, to understand and be compassionate about our differences. That can be uncomfortable, but our country would be much better off if more of us were willing to listen to the perspectives of others and not just be loud and proud about our own views.
You can reach me for commentary, alternative viewpoints or ideas at this e-mail address: JanieTMartin@gmail.com.

Recent stories, opinions and photos
Issue Date |
Department |
Headline |
03-03-2021 | Sports |
 Cougars & Patriots Bow Out in Sectional Semis

|
03-03-2021 | Sports |
 Maroon Girls Have Strong Defensive Showing

|
03-03-2021 | Sports |
 Peshtigo Varsity Bowlers Headed to State Tourney

|
03-03-2021 | Sports |
 State Boys Basketball Tournament in LaCrosse & Oshkosh This Week

|
03-03-2021 | Front Page |
 Takes Down Light Pole

|
03-03-2021 | Front Page |
 Crivitz Starting Over In Quest for Police Chief

|
03-03-2021 | Front Page |
 Peshtigo School Superintendent Seeks To Partner More With City

|
03-03-2021 | Front Page |
 Comprehensive Plan Deadline Topic at Marinette City Council

|
03-03-2021 | Front Page |
 Peshtigo School Board To Meet On March 10

|
03-03-2021 | Front Page |
 Barbara Johnston Celebrated 106th Birthday On March 3

|
03-03-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman May Close Rosemont Street Alley

|
03-03-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman School Board To Meet March 8th

|
03-03-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman Utility Meet Monday, March 8

|
03-03-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 7th Annual Equity Craft, Vendor Fair

|
03-03-2021 | Community - Crivitz |
 Lady Leprechaun Shopping Day, Gun Show March 13

|
03-03-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 $1000 Scholarship for Athelstane, Silver Cliff Graduating Seniors

|
03-03-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Legion Post 66 To Meet March 6

|
03-03-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Lions Annual Flower Sale

|
03-03-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Blood Drive Nets 51 Pints

|
03-03-2021 | Perspectives |
 From My Window

|
03-03-2021 | Perspectives |
 From our readers

|
03-03-2021 | Perspectives |
 Country Cousin

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Roland C. Abel

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Barton C. Adrian

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Robert J. Barker

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Genevieve T. Cichon

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 William W. Fernstrum

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Phyllis G. Fischer

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Noreen L. Garon

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Terry R. Granger

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Esther Jenquine

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Pieterdina G. Keller

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Thomas R. Kollross

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Mark R. Krzewina

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Lucille M. Lesperance

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Carol L. Philbrick

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Jeanette F. Schahczinski

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Ila R. Sparpana

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Maria M. Waldmeier

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Gale R. Wogsland

|
03-03-2021 | Obituaries |
 Margaret M. Zona

|
02-24-2021 | Front Page |
 Woman's Club To Donate "Story Time" Sculpture

|
02-24-2021 | Front Page |
 County Board Applauds Selection Of Glenn Sartorelli To Head DHHS

|
02-24-2021 | Front Page |
 Peshtigo Council To Meet March 2

|
02-24-2021 | Front Page |
 Water Treatment Program Discussed At Town Meeting

|
02-24-2021 | Front Page |
 Pound Village Board To Air Well Issues Feb. 26

|
02-24-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman Board May Restore 5-Day In-Person Classes For Upper Grades

|
02-24-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee To Hold Zoning Change Hearing March 10

|
02-24-2021 | Community - Crivitz |
 By 4 to 3 Vote Crivitz Board Keeps Masks For This Year

|
02-24-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Country Line Dancing Resumes at Equity

|
02-24-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Lena School Staff Spaghetti Supper

|
02-24-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman School District Pre-K Screening, Jr. K Registration

|
02-24-2021 | Community - Crivitz |
 January Students of the Month at Crivitz Elem., Middle Schools

|
02-24-2021 | Community - Crivitz |
 Crivitz Church Has Food and Fellowship to Go

|
02-24-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Lions Flower Sale, Bowling Tournament

|
02-24-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Silver Cliff Celebrates Centennial Aug. 12-14

|
02-24-2021 | Sports |
 Coleman Tops Crivitz for Third Time to Take Regional Title

|
02-24-2021 | Sports |
 Suring Falls to Athens in Sectional Semifinal

|
02-24-2021 | Sports |
 State Runner-up Cougars Fall in Final 33-32

|
02-24-2021 | Sports |
 Ice Shanty Removal Dates Approaching

|
02-24-2021 | Sports |
 Peshtigo Girls Softball In Need of Players

|
02-24-2021 | Perspectives |
 From our readers

|
02-24-2021 | Perspectives |
 From My Window

|
02-24-2021 | Perspectives |
 Country Cousin

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Marie R. Apple

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Tony F. Camp

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Jason S. Chaltry

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Dr. Richard R. Chaltry

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Judie Gowaski

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 William H. Howell

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Pauline R. Ireland

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Kenneth J. Kalafut

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Mitchell A. Keyport

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Carol J. Kobus

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Robert E. Kons

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Darlene M. Kostuch

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Mark R. Krzewina

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Ann L. Lemke

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Grace L. Meyers

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Sandra J. Michaud

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Evelyn Nelson

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Norma Parker

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 Alfred G. Polzin

|
02-24-2021 | Obituaries |
 William Sweeting

|
02-17-2021 | Front Page |
 Marinette Marine Breaks Ground For Largest Building Ever On Site

|
02-17-2021 | Front Page |
 Peshtigo School Board Hears PSI, Administration Reports

|
02-17-2021 | Front Page |
 Tyco/JCI Provides New Updates on PFAS Issue

|
02-17-2021 | Front Page |
 Marinette School Classes Going In-Person March 1

|
02-17-2021 | Front Page |
 Report To Chamber On The Fire Sesquicentennial, Kayak Dock

|
02-17-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman School District Pre-K Screening, Jr. K Registration

|
02-17-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Suring School Distant Learner Numbers Drop From 58 To 31

|
02-17-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 County Line Dancing Resumes at Equity

|
02-17-2021 | Community - Crivitz |
 School Board To Consider Facilities, Masks, Prom

|
02-17-2021 | Community - Crivitz |
 Middle Inlet Board OKs Purchase Of Fire Truck

|
02-17-2021 | Community - Crivitz |
 Crivitz American Legion Gun Show March 13th

|
02-17-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Town of Wausaukee Sets Road Weight Limit Rules, Exceptions

|
02-17-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Parking On Boat Launch Road Remains Problem For Wagner

|
02-17-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Silver Cliff To Celebrate Centennial Aug. 12-14

|
02-17-2021 | Sports |
 Area Teams Advance to Regional Second Round

|
02-17-2021 | Sports |
 Regional Heart Breakers Leave Suring as Sole Survivor

|
02-17-2021 | Sports |
 Boys & Girls Hockey Teams to Play for State Titles

|
02-17-2021 | Sports |
 Whiting Wins Third Title; Casper Claims Silver

|
02-17-2021 | Sports |
 Task Force Conducts Modified Marinette Realignment Review

|
02-17-2021 | Sports |
 Marinette Youth Baseball Online Registration Starts March 1st

|
02-17-2021 | Sports |
 PHS Alumni Scholarship Golf Outing July 16th

|
02-17-2021 | Perspectives |
 From My Window

|
02-17-2021 | Perspectives |
 From Our Readers...

|
02-17-2021 | Perspectives |
 Country Cousin

|
02-17-2021 | Obituaries |
 Delores M. Cline

|
02-17-2021 | Obituaries |
 Robert J. Collard

|
02-17-2021 | Obituaries |
 Ruth A. Davey

|
02-17-2021 | Obituaries |
 James R. Derusha

|
02-17-2021 | Obituaries |
 Gerald Elsner

|
02-17-2021 | Obituaries |
 Melva Hetcher

|
02-17-2021 | Obituaries |
 Susan K Meicht

|
02-17-2021 | Obituaries |
 Darlene L. Szymusiak

|
02-17-2021 | Obituaries |
 Darlean J. Webb

|
02-10-2021 | Front Page |


|
02-10-2021 | |


|
02-10-2021 | Front Page |
 DNR Listening Session Provides PFAS Updates

|
02-10-2021 | Front Page |
 Tyco Announces Updates Of Recent Water Testing

|
02-10-2021 | Front Page |
 City of Peshtigo Partners With Historical Committee

|
02-10-2021 | Front Page |
 Mayor Genisot Gives State of City Address

|
02-10-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Ash Wednesday Service at Pound

|
02-10-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Annual Equity Craft, Vendor Fair June 19

|
02-10-2021 | Community - Coleman |
 Coleman School District Pre-K Screening, Jr. K Registration

|
02-10-2021 | Community - Crivitz |
 Community Ed Offers Farmhouse Spring Wreath

|
02-10-2021 | Community - Crivitz |
 High Falls Fish-O-Rama, Radar Run, Winterfest

|
02-10-2021 | Community - Crivitz |
 CBA Persons of Year Nominations Accepted

|
02-10-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Wausaukee Blood Drive is Feb. 15th

|
02-10-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Friends of Wausaukee Library Annual Fruit Sale

|
02-10-2021 | Community - Wausaukee |
 Religious Ed Students Bowl for St. Jude Hospital

|
02-10-2021 | Sports |
 Coleman Beats Crivitz, Stays Undefeated in M&O

|
02-10-2021 | Sports |
 WIAA Tournament Play Begins; Gillett Advances Over Crivitz

|
02-10-2021 | Sports |
 Coleman Wins Sectional; Advances to Team State

|
02-10-2021 | Sports |
 Individuals Compete for State Wrestling Titles This Weekend

|
02-10-2021 | Sports |
 DNR Publishes Sturgeon Spearing Season Forecast

|
02-10-2021 | Perspectives |
 From My Window

|
02-10-2021 | Perspectives |
 Country Cousin

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 Marjorie A. Barley

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 William J. Bohan

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 Mary M. Coddington

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 Sue Flanner

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 Mary Ann Gardon

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 Donald E. Hayes Jr.

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 Sandy R. Hendrickson

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 Charlotte A. Hoffman

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 Sue M. Jones

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 Karen A. Konop

|
02-10-2021 | Obituaries |
 Joseph Krzewina Jr.

|
|
|
| |
|