The Victory Garden

Chapter 36

Savannah
One Week After Easter 1946

Nothing was wasted.

Scraps of food were placed into compost bins. Foil was used, washed and reused. Butter wrappers were saved to coat baking pans. Frugality was not just a fad but a way of life. Neighbors shared. The war and the Depression before had left many destitute. It was not uncommon for a housewife to hear a knock at her back door and encounter someone in need of food.

Clara Wilder’s door was no exception. Mothers with infants, old men with gaunt and haggard faces melted her heart. Almost every time, the ones asking for assistance offered to do some type of work to pay for the kindness.

The back stoop of her cottage on Maupas Avenue is where they sat to eat. For some, she saw tears of thankfulness for the act of kindness. Clara may or may not have had a chore for them but she could always find something to help them redeem their dignity. For some, she had them peel potatoes or string beans. For others, they would fix a broken screen, roof tile or cabinet hinge.

Being the frugal and patriotic young war bride she was, she turned her back yard and flower beds into planting areas for her Victory Garden. In the front of the cottage, tomatoes were planted among the rosebushes. Radishes sat alongside pansies and violets. The backyard was a different matter. The area was not large, but Clara made use of every available inch.

The sod was removed for garden beds. The side of the garage was latticed to grow scarlet runner beans. Stalks of corn lined the back of the property like soldiers.

There was no basis of fact or evidence as to why gardens should be planted on Good Friday.

It was really just tradition. For generations the Wilders had done so. It was believed to be the time to plant potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The ground in the area never really froze and the rich loam provided for an abundance of crops.

Clara did not do all of this alone. She had help.

Jamie Conners lived on 39th Street, just a few blocks away. She had known him since he was born. She baby-sat him and watched him grow into a handsome, strapping yet someone shy young man. He was a natural born athlete and excelled at baseball at Savannah High School. He was their star pitcher.

His athletic prowess was not unrecognized by the colleges. The University of Georgia recruited him with a full scholarship for the upcoming fall term. His family and friends were proud of him. He would be the first in his family to attend college.

It was he who broke the sod and helped with the planting that Good Friday. He worked tirelessly and did not allow a bit of sunlight to go unused. After school, he would come and check on Clara and attend to whatever needed to be done in the garden. As all young men his age he was always famished after a day at school.

Clara would make him a grilled cheese sandwich with her tomato conserve which he so loved. She would take the time to sit with him and listen to his day.

On one occasion, Clara was discussing with him plans for the garden for the upcoming summer. He was listening and broke into her conversation. “Mrs. Clara, I will not be here this summer, I have enlisted in the Army.” Clara froze. “But, Jamie, your scholarship, college and all your plans, what are you thinking?! You know without a college degree you will go straight into the infantry!”

He replied, “I know, that is why I am doing it. I have to do my duty like all the others. I have to go or I will never be proud of myself for not doing my part. The truth is the Army thinks I can use my pitching arm to throw grenades.”

Clara fell silent and her heart sank.

Grilled Cheese with Tomato Conserve

INGREDIENTS

4 slices white bread
3 Tbsp butter, divided
2 slices Cheddar cheese
2 Tsbp of Tomato Conserve

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat skillet over medium heat.

Generously butter one side of a slice of bread. Place bread butter-side-down onto skillet bottom and add 1 slice of cheese and the Tomato Conserve.

Butter a second slice of bread on one side and place butter-side-up on top of sandwich. Grill until lightly browned and flip over; continue grilling until cheese is melted.

Repeat with remaining 2 slices of bread, butter and slice of cheese.