The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox. It can occur in September or October. If it occurs in October then the September Moon is called the Full Corn Moon.

The Harvest Moon is the time that the crops that carry us through winter are ready to be harvested. Corn, beans, squash, pumpkins and wild rice are ready for gathering.

I remember the excitement of gazing over the piles of food my grandparents would put by for the winter. My grandmother would can tomatoes and green beans that we could eat before the cold frost froze them on the vine. Rows of hard acorn squash lined up on shelves in the cold damp, basement. Seeing the bounty was a sign of abundance and security for the tough, cold months ahead.

The corn was now fully mature. The tall golden stalks of dry leaves and cobs stand in the fields ready to be picked, shucked and stored for winter feed for chickens and hogs. I got lost in those cornfields once. I was about six years old. I was helping to pull the dry cobs from the stalks and got just a little bit lost in the twisty maze of rows. I remember looking up and seeing several black crows circling, just above the stalks. They called out, “caw, caw”. And that is how my grandparents were led to me, by the calling of the crows. The crows helped us out that day. I am grateful.

For the past two months, I have been canning and freezing fresh vegetables and fruits for the winter. A full freezer and a well-stocked pantry still makes me feel safe and secure inside.