Most of us are drowning in the political pond. Even us political junkies get saturated. I have no idea how our friends in the United States can survive such a long campaign. Canadian elections are much shorter and we should be thankful.

Why are we letting an election campaign intrude on the best season of the year? This is the time when gardens are harvested, things put away and we are trying to be sure that we have everything picked up before the snow falls.

The leaves are turning and giving their annual show of colour. Even the smells of nature are different from the days of summer. It is a time of peace and thanksgiving. It is a season that gives us sunny, crisp days that are so enjoyable.

This is how our grandparents lived their lives. The annual harvest was essential to surviving the long winter days. This time of year was a continuous effort of picking, preparing and preserving food. There were no corner stores to nip down to. They did not have the pre-prepared foods we take for granted. Life was different for them. They had a much harder life but also a much more satisfying life in many ways.

One wonders what would happen if many of us suddenly found that the always available food supply was not there, or beyond our means. How many of us could become self-sufficient? Likely, not very many of us could.

We have become accustomed to the good life. We can have fresh fruit in January that has, quite amazingly, reasonable flavour. There is lovely lamb from New Zealand, grapes from Chile and produce from California available for our tables. There has been no other age like this. It is a very comfortable life. We are truly blessed and should appreciate it.

On the other side, we are constantly bombarded by the news of global warming, possible economic depression and a dozen other manifestations of modern life. The wonders of communication add paranoia to our daily lives. It overcomes the joy we should feel about the truly wonderful lives we are living. Despite all the gains we have made in medicine, literacy and simple creature comforts, we still find as much to worry about as our ancestors.

The only answer I have found to keep all the modern worries at bay is to develop a bit of a sense of independence. The joy of gardening is not only the produce you put on your table, but it is also a bit of confirmation that one is a survivor. The reality is that what was produced in my garden would not even cover our need for a few weeks. Nonetheless, there is a deep satisfaction from doing such a basic job.

It is more than having fresh, truly organic foods; it is also a reaffirmation that one could be self-sufficient if really necessary.

Despite dirty fingernails, chapped hands and grumbling about the weather, those tomatoes produced in one’s own garden, at a cost of about $20 per kilogram, taste sweeter than any tomatoes ever purchased.

–Victor Bowman, Prince George Free Press