Comments on my stories are usually dumb, but if people take the time to email, they are almost always thoughtful, and sometimes quite lovely. Here is one I quite liked from my robotics in the apple orchard story:
Jackie, greatly enjoyed your Apple Orchard article
My Dad was born and raised on my grandfather’s 400-acre apple farm in Kinderhook, NY.
I can well recall his stories of the farm, to include tree planting, picking, pruning, storing, packing and shipping apples.
It was all handwork, with the workdays being long and physically demanding.
When Dad shared stories of the farm it was always started with the family – two brothers and sisters, in addition to my grandparents and the effort by all that went into the growing and selling of apples.
My grandfather graduated from Princeton University in 1909 and with the help of his father acquired the farm in 1912. He sold the farm in 1955 and lived for about another 30 years.
If my Dad and Grandfather – also my Grandmother, who born and lived in Kinderhook her entire life – could read your article each would say “sounds great – but there is much to a growing a good apple.”
Again, enjoyed your article – makes me feel good and look back on the farm, my grandparents and for sure my Dad.
Thank you.