This week while walking through the woods some hickory nuts caught my eye. My mind began to wonder back to my childhood when my mother would take me into the woods. The purpose was to gather nuts. We would pick up at least a five gallon bucket full of hickory nuts every fall. She was always using those nuts in her heavenly brownies. I must admit; I stopped and began to pick up nuts. Being unprepared with no container I improvised and used my hat. The hat was soon full and I could not stop. So I threw the handkerchief I had on the ground and began filling it.

My mind raced as I thought of those fall days with mom. She taught me to use the things around me and enjoy them. Those nuts in that bucket were cracked with a hammer and placed back in the bucket. Brought in the house and the meat was picked out of the shells. This task takes patience and diligence. The nuts were placed in a plastic bag and frozen until added to a sweet treat. As those nuts cracked under the hammer a slight tear swelled in my eye. That memory is dear to my heart.

How many families are not aware of the abundance of nature? This was a good year for nut production and this tree was an exceptional one. The hickory nuts from this old warrior were large. Its isolation of being on the woodland edge gave it extra space to produce a great bounty.

There is still time for you to gather the family and harvest some nuts. Black walnuts, hickory nuts, and pecans are still falling to the woodland floor. Why not introduce your children to this adventure. Memories are precious while sharing family time but the real treasure is the nuts. Get out and gather some nuts and make your memories.