Catalpa Tree
Continued from page 41
Our editor reflects on her experiences with the Catalpa Tree
Family ties between nature and man are closer than we sometimes realize.
Memories of my childhood take me back a few years to the days of my first fishing
lessons.
after whittling my first cane fishing pole, my grandfather introduced me to nature’s
secret “lure” to fishing most species of freshwater fish, especially in the South.
He had two objectives to every lesson shared. First, learning how to spell every
word in the title; secondly, learning how to apply what you learned. His philosophy
was simple. If you could spell it; you could read it! If you could apply it, you would
never go hungry! Spelling “Catalpa” still doesn’t come easy!
No worries for next year’s crop production. He taught me one of the most ingenious ways to preserve the catalpa worm. He used a simple staple item that had
many uses for food preparation. He would pour cornmeal into a container. Roll
the worms around gently. Place the worms in the container and cover lightly with
cornmeal. Seal and freeze.
Southern traditions and childhood memories never seem to leave us. Recently, I was
trimming shrubs in my front yard. a SUV turns into my driveway. a gentleman in a
tailored suit steps out of the vehicle. He kindly introduces himself and explains his
business in the area. He slowly walks toward me. as he gazed across the property,
he began to smile. With glistening eyes, he turned and asked me a few questions
about the homestead. I explained that I rented the property and asked him why he
was interested. as a youth, he had experienced some of his fondest memories with
his best friend. One of his favorites was racing home from school, grabbing up the
fishing poles and running to “shake the limbs” of the catalpa tree.
42 | BLAZE | Spring/Summer 2014
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