Of course the apple is much maligned as the forbidden fruit that Eve ate and gave to Adam in the Garden of Eden, but this is only because artists have depicted the fruit as an apple. The Bible never says what kind of fruit it was. It could have been a kumquat for all we know. (Isn’t kumquat a funny word? I always wanted to use it in a sentence. Now I can check that off my bucket list. Writers have weird bucket lists.)
Apples are mentioned in the Bible however. In Proverbs, the collection of the wise teachings of Solomon and others, we find, “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11).” There’s some wisdom there alright. We should peel away at that teaching until we get to the core of it. If only we limited our conversations, our texts, and our tweets to words aptly spoken. Not apple-y, but aptly, meaning suitably or appropriately. The world would be a better place already.
Fall is apple season, and any grocery store shopper can go cross-eyed trying to decide between the Red Delicious, Gala, McIntosh, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Honeycrisp and more. Gourmet cooks know which apple works best in which apple dish, but I just pick shiny ones that look fresh and have the fewest worm holes. Biting into a worm isn’t how we like to get our protein!
Those fortunate enough to live close to an orchard that hosts an apple festival may be able to pick your own bushel then get busy making apple butter, apple pie, apple cake, apple tarts, applesauce, apple fritters, apple crisp and the ever popular apple cider—now offered in upscale bars as well. How well I remember such an apple picking adventure with my son and his family at an orchard in Virginia. It included a cold but fun hayride!
So have I succeeded in getting you to forget about this morning’s news and dwell instead on the joy of biting into an apple with all its crunchy sweetness? There is joy to be found in all the ordinary things of life. And hope as well. Martin Luther wrote, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”
Pick up an apple and praise God for making it just for you. Even in a piece of ordinary fruit we can find joy and hope if we give God the glory. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8).”
Nancy, your blog reminded me of the words to an old song: “We sure could use a little good news today.” Thank you!
Amen, Sue!
Love this column!!!! (I know, today’s term is blog … but I’m out of it … what can I say?!) And, like Martin Luther, I, too, would choose to plant an apple tree! I just wish the blossoms didn’t freeze every year and just once I could taste an apple from my tree!
Thanks, Jan! At least the blossoms are pretty before they freeze!
Thanks for the good humor!! I liked it, also Kumquat is my favorite fruit!!
Jimmie
Are you kidding or serious, Jimmie! I wouldn’t know a kumquat if I saw one! 🙂
I love apples!
Did you know that today there are more than 700 varieties. I am so grateful our stores can only carry a fraction of what’s available I’d be there for days deciding which to buy. It’s also been proven that “an apple a day” is some of the best health advice out there. So thank you for taking my mine off troubling news and reminding me that God knows what’s best for us.
He created the apple didn’t He?
Yes, He did. In ALL its varieties!
Refreshing as always!! I remember first reading your column year ago in the Gazette before I even knew you. Always a treat!! And even more so now that I know and love you!!!
Thanks for being such a faithful reader for so long, Lea Ann.
Once we relocated planting trees was nearly at the top of our list so 2 honey crisp trees were planted . We only got 5 apples the first year. This year our tree got so loaded with fruit it was breaking branches as the apples matured.. We spotted an old orchard our first year here and I knocked on the door of the owner. He granted us permission to pick some apples. In gratitude I delivered a pie to him the following day. It was a warm pie and it gave us a warm feeling. Don’t know what to etxpect next year as our trees got seriously pruned after the overload. We have much to learn even at 72.
Wow! I’m impressed. Hope you made lots of good things!
Brilliant…beaming all over
after an unprecedented frustrating session online this morning!!
Bring on them apples
SUCH a clever blog, Nancy
Nancy, I found your apple topic therapeutic in the following way: When I get jaded by the news of the day, I don’t have to stay jaded or frustrated. If I simply switch away from my “downer” thinking onto something beautiful and wholesome, I can get back to a much healthier place. A wise elder said, “Our thoughts determine our lives.” So, why not leave the ugly and ponder the beautiful. Your blog made me appreciate the commonplace all around us. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” “She is the apple of his eye.” “How ’bout them apples!!!” Your blog is therapeutic. Thanks!
PS Here’s pretty thought along the lines of your apple: “A rose cannot speak, but it’s fragrance can fill a room.”
We spotted an old orchard our first year here and I knocked on the door of the owner. He granted us permission to pick some apples. In gratitude I delivered a pie to him the following day. It was a warm pie and it gave us a warm feeling. Don’t know what to etxpect next year as our trees got seriously pruned after the overload. We have much to learn even at 72.