Oh golly, dear one. This took my breath away. In the best of ways. Gave remembrance to a person of similar habits and character I am blessed to have known. Thank you! It was a good start to my day ♥️
To be sure, there was no shortage of tears at the conclusion of the movie. Salt of the earth, as they say. We were fortunate to have been part of Luther's world.
This issue of "Chicken Scratch" is why I love it. Elizabeth nails a quality-of-life issue that applies to all readers. Her recognition of Luther Marshall's habits, characteristics, and contributions are not only accurate and true, but emblems of things we know we need more of in life. Take one: reliability. Elizabeth signals his punctuality and consistency appropriately, but only alludes to his holistic fulfillment of the word "caretaker." The responsibilities he took on were not mowing or feeding chickens only. Rather they included a myriad of unspecified matters of care for a place and its people. When they grew to include Elizabeth's and Jim's daughters, well, nothing was ever said, but Luther unspokenly included them and their safety into his "job," and we could all rely on it.
One time, of unforgettable import, we sat one afternoon on a summer porch with his local best friend Littleton Grace, and Adam, our son who had recently graduated from college. The subject of Franklin Roosevelt came up, and Luther began to talk about the Great Depression. He talked about how down here in the Bay Hundred of Talbot County, Maryland, before the bridge, it was a backwater lacking in any visibility. Work of any kind was hard to find, and food and survival were at a premium. But Luther said "We knew President Roosevelt cared about us. He was the first and only president who paid attention to people like us. We felt it, and knew we could count on him." Littleton, a black man, agreed. "When he (FDR) talked on the radio, you knew he had us low class people in mind." In his latest years, Luther and Littleton lived on Social Security checks. Talk about a history lesson.
Luther taught us all so many life skills, not by preaching, but by example. One was to put your tools back. Many a task was begun, and then interrupted...leaving behind the shovel, screwdriver, or weedwhacker...soon to be forgotten, and then spending hours or days looking for the damn thing..."where on earth is...?" Luther always put his tools away, reliably, even if for a few hours. That's another reason to think about Luther almost every day.... Good goin', Chicken Scratch.
Charlie -- I had hoped you would add your thoughts here, in anticipation of them bringing even more depth to the story. You and Ann knew Luther so well, and his relationship with you differed from ours, but grew from the same seed. As you note, his holistic approach to "unspecified matters of care" is what made him so much more than just a long-time farm employee. His and Littleton's disclosures about FDR are priceless (and still relevant). And, tools. Yes, they too fell under the umbrella of Luther's care. Thank you for contributing so much to this essay, and to us. <3
I may have to change my reading to the evening of publication where I can properly emote in the privacy of my home. My co-workers I am quite sure, do not understand the unexplained and unapologetic laughter or random face leaking episodes that have become a symptom of my weekly reading.
I thank you for these emotional outlets my friend.
I’m with you on this one Kate! I keep making the mistake of reading these first thing in the morning (2 hour time difference, ya know), and then I’m all sorts of wobbly-drippy-eyed-overflowing right as I’m supposed to be focused on getting ready for the day!
Our Luther is named Mike. He's clock-work dependable, mows our whole neighborhood (not quite 10 acres) like it's his own. All saints have dirt under their nails.
Unsung heroes for sure, Prue. Except in our very-aware Pot Pie Farm community, who fully understood how much people like Luther bring to the conversation. Thank you for sharing your reflections.
Agree, on all counts, Suzanne. So nice to have been inspired to be back "in communion" with Luther again. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
This life story and experiences are so good. They give me chills.....❤
From one storyteller to another -- thanks, Barry.
Oh golly, dear one. This took my breath away. In the best of ways. Gave remembrance to a person of similar habits and character I am blessed to have known. Thank you! It was a good start to my day ♥️
I'm delighted to know that this got your day off to a good beginning. We all need (indeed, many of us probably have) a Luther in our lives.
I’m a puddle. 🥲 Just as I was when we watched that same movie last week. Luther in your life was a treasure, as you and your family were in his. 🥰🥰🥰🥰
To be sure, there was no shortage of tears at the conclusion of the movie. Salt of the earth, as they say. We were fortunate to have been part of Luther's world.
This issue of "Chicken Scratch" is why I love it. Elizabeth nails a quality-of-life issue that applies to all readers. Her recognition of Luther Marshall's habits, characteristics, and contributions are not only accurate and true, but emblems of things we know we need more of in life. Take one: reliability. Elizabeth signals his punctuality and consistency appropriately, but only alludes to his holistic fulfillment of the word "caretaker." The responsibilities he took on were not mowing or feeding chickens only. Rather they included a myriad of unspecified matters of care for a place and its people. When they grew to include Elizabeth's and Jim's daughters, well, nothing was ever said, but Luther unspokenly included them and their safety into his "job," and we could all rely on it.
One time, of unforgettable import, we sat one afternoon on a summer porch with his local best friend Littleton Grace, and Adam, our son who had recently graduated from college. The subject of Franklin Roosevelt came up, and Luther began to talk about the Great Depression. He talked about how down here in the Bay Hundred of Talbot County, Maryland, before the bridge, it was a backwater lacking in any visibility. Work of any kind was hard to find, and food and survival were at a premium. But Luther said "We knew President Roosevelt cared about us. He was the first and only president who paid attention to people like us. We felt it, and knew we could count on him." Littleton, a black man, agreed. "When he (FDR) talked on the radio, you knew he had us low class people in mind." In his latest years, Luther and Littleton lived on Social Security checks. Talk about a history lesson.
Luther taught us all so many life skills, not by preaching, but by example. One was to put your tools back. Many a task was begun, and then interrupted...leaving behind the shovel, screwdriver, or weedwhacker...soon to be forgotten, and then spending hours or days looking for the damn thing..."where on earth is...?" Luther always put his tools away, reliably, even if for a few hours. That's another reason to think about Luther almost every day.... Good goin', Chicken Scratch.
Charlie -- I had hoped you would add your thoughts here, in anticipation of them bringing even more depth to the story. You and Ann knew Luther so well, and his relationship with you differed from ours, but grew from the same seed. As you note, his holistic approach to "unspecified matters of care" is what made him so much more than just a long-time farm employee. His and Littleton's disclosures about FDR are priceless (and still relevant). And, tools. Yes, they too fell under the umbrella of Luther's care. Thank you for contributing so much to this essay, and to us. <3
Lovely story! Thanks, Tom
Thank you, Tom!
I may have to change my reading to the evening of publication where I can properly emote in the privacy of my home. My co-workers I am quite sure, do not understand the unexplained and unapologetic laughter or random face leaking episodes that have become a symptom of my weekly reading.
I thank you for these emotional outlets my friend.
🎶 Let it go! Let it go-oo...! 🎵
I'm glad these writings bring you goodness, Kate. Thank you.
I’m with you on this one Kate! I keep making the mistake of reading these first thing in the morning (2 hour time difference, ya know), and then I’m all sorts of wobbly-drippy-eyed-overflowing right as I’m supposed to be focused on getting ready for the day!
Happy to be of service... 🧡
Our Luther is named Mike. He's clock-work dependable, mows our whole neighborhood (not quite 10 acres) like it's his own. All saints have dirt under their nails.
Oh, Stephanie -- I've not run across that adage before, but it just shot to the top of the list of favorites. Thanks for sharing.
I had a little weep.
A story about one of those wonderful country stoics - real people, unsung heroes. Thank you for singing, Elizabeth.
Unsung heroes for sure, Prue. Except in our very-aware Pot Pie Farm community, who fully understood how much people like Luther bring to the conversation. Thank you for sharing your reflections.
Great story, great movie, and the book was great, too! The parallels to your story are amazing!
Agree, on all counts, Suzanne. So nice to have been inspired to be back "in communion" with Luther again. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts.
A wonderful story beautifully written. My heart was in my mouth at *that* part, and I've still got goosepimples!
(New subscriber - and I'm sticking around!)
Rebecca, what a fun comment! Welcome to the flock!!
😁