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October 21, 2015 www.DesertMessenger.com 17 Traveling with Gypsy Jane by Jane Finley writer * artist * teacher (stretching, exercise, relaxation, meditation) Visit with Farmer Bird (Kelly Bird) Moses Lake, WA He isn't a farmer really -- more like an orchardist, but "Orchard- ist Bird" just didn't have the right ring to it. And to me, he's some- thing entirely different. He's been my tax accountant for years, more than 20, we calculated yesterday when we met for the first time in about five years. I decided long ago that if I was ever in his area, I would stop by for a visit. When I wrote that I was heading his way, Kelly sent me directions to his home in Mattawa, Wash- ington. It was a beautiful, early- morning drive from Ellensburg to Vantage and across the Columbia River, which never fails to take my breath away -- wide with high cliffs alongside -- sooooo spectacu- lar! From the bridge, I followed the scenic road along the river for about 15 miles and after a series of turns on gravelly roads, saw "Bird" on the mailbox. The long drive led past row upon row of small apple trees heavy with mouth-watering, picture-perfect, red, rosy apples. Nothing says autumn like a tree full of ripe, red apples! (I noticed all the apples on the ground un- derneath the trees. What a waste, I thought, and hoped some pig farmer would take advantage of the windfall.) Nobody was home at Kelly's house except a mother cat and three solid black farm kittens who came running out to greet me; so I headed for the tall ladder I saw among the trees. I found Kelly there, driving around on a kind of miniature tractor. I managed to recognize him in spite of his bun- dled-up appearance in a hat and extra-thick coat to ward off the cold, gray morning. He was intent on his work; so I was able to watch for a few minutes before he saw me. (He looked as if he belonged here. I always love to see some- one follow their passion and make their dreams come true.) Another minute or two passed to allow for recognition after five years. I emailed him I was on my way when I got to Ellensburg, close enough so I could get there the next morning. Even so, he was surprised to see me. Not much time to check the computer when the apple harvest is in full swing. The first thing I said to him was, "I see I've arrived at your busiest time." We just had time for a hug before his apple buyer arrived with the good news that his company would take Kelly's whole crop. I tagged along as the two men talked, about apples of course. We hopped in the pickup truck to view some trees further down the road. Every now and then Kelly would give me another apple to taste. My favorite was the Pink Lady -- not quite as tart as a Granny Smith. I learned a lot about apples that day. The huge bins go to the pro- cessing plant where the apples are put into a bath, washing away the sediment which gives apples that dull look; the not-so-perfect apples are separated out; the remaining apples are sorted automatically by weight, color, and size; waxed; and finally either shipped out or put into cold storage. I probably don't have it quite right, but you get the idea. The buyer said that Kelly is in a great location because he produc- es one of the earliest crops. He has planted apple varieties which ma- ture at different times and grows cherries in early summer. (I'll be sure to come back then.) I remember when Kelly first ac- quired the land to start his orchard from scratch. It was 11 years ago. His orchard is composed of dwarf trees (Galas, Pink Ladies, and Fujis I believe.) He planted all the starts, put up the posts and wires needed to train the trees, and installed the underground irrigation which helps during a freeze. (They don't use the smudge pots that I remem- ber.) It seemed like a tremendous amount of work, and he says it's hard to get away. Kelly said all the land is planted now; so I'm hop- ing it will get easier for him. For years, he would commute from his home in Mattawa to Seattle during income-tax season, and I would meet with him in his office for about an hour to finalize my taxes. That meant Kelly had to be away from his family for days at a time and make the drive back and forth from Seattle across the Cas- cade Mountains to snowy eastern Washington. It was an ideal work combination because he could do taxes during his least busy orchard season. A couple of years ago, he wrote saying he would not be com- ing to Seattle during tax season, encouraging his clients to mail their information. Of course, since I was on the road, I was already doing that -- a combination of mail and phone calls until Kelly gave in to 20th century e-mail! Every now and then during our visit, Kelly would hop on his trac- tor and move boxes for the dozen pickers. Many worked for him year round: picking, pruning, thinning, and doing other apple chores. Suddenly all the pickers exited the orchard. Kelly had given them an early lunch so that we could drive to town to meet his wife Marlene. We drove through Mattawa in about two minutes; it's that small, but it seems to have all the neces- sities. Back at the farm, Kelly told me how he was going fishing more now, told me about the 26 (?) pound king salmon he caught in the Columbia River very close to his home, and sent me home with frozen salmon enough for three meals. As we said good-by, he told me to pick all the apples I wanted. (Now I can make good on my vow to eat an apple every day before dinner. Not only are apples good We have great lunch menus, serving at 12 noon sharp! Suggested donation is only $3.50. There's cards, books, games, puzzles, pool table, Wi-Fi available. Community Services, Volunteers Needed! Come join the fun at Quartzsite SENIOR Center 40 Moon Mountain Ave. For more information call 928-927-6496 Senior Center open all year! Monday - Friday, 9am – 3pm for you, but they cut your appe- tite so you don't eat so much.) I remembered what the buyer said about lower grade apples: blemish- es, bird pecks, misshaped, small, and ones with yellow splotches caused by sunburn. Apparently people are quite fickle about apples; looks are EVERYTHING. Reminds me of a quote I read: "You cannot sell a blemished apple in the supermarket, but you can sell a tasteless one provided it is shiny, smooth, even, uniform and bright." -- Elspeth Huxley. Although Kelly didn't tell me to, I tried to pick those kind to take with me because they tasted just as good. I did, how- ever, pick one round, red, perfect apple -- just one -- to eat first. During my short visit, Kelly and I were able to catch up on each other's lives. I finally got to meet his wife and hear about his three children. I was very touched that he spent so much time with me during his busiest season. I told him not to stop working though -- that I would just trail along after him. I also asked him how many of the apples trees I owned after being his client for so many years... After a good-by hug, I took a different route to Moses Lake SEE GYPSY PAGE 19