Friday five: an apple a day...

Singing Owl of the RevGals writes:

Raise your hand if you know that today is Johnny Appleseed Day!

September 26, 1774 was his birthday. "Johnny Appleseed" (John Chapman) is one of America's great legends. He was a nurseryman who started out planting trees in western New York and Pennsylvania, but he was among those who were captivated by the movement west across the continent.

As Johnny traveled west (at that time, the "West" was places like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois) he planted apple trees and sold trees to settlers. With every apple tree that was planted, the legend grew. A devout Christian, he was known to preach during his travels. According to legend, Johny Appleseed led a simple life and wanted little. He rarely accepted money and often donated any money he received to churches or charities. He planted hundreds of orchards, considering it his service to humankind. There is some link between Johny Appleseed and very early Arbor Day celebrations.

So, in honor of this interesting fellow, let's get on with the questions!

1. What is your favorite apple dish? (BIG BONUS points if you share the recipe.)

Simplest recipe in the world. :-) I'd like a honeycrisp apple with some chunky peanut butter on it, please. Mmmmmm.

Incidentally, I work for the university that developed the honeycrisp. This pleases me more than it has a right to, since I don't work for that part of the university. Gratitude's a funny thing.

2. Have you ever planted a tree? If so was there a special reason or occasion you can tell us about?

I've helped to move a tree--an apple tree, even! Our yard was a little crowded, so some friends of ours now have one of the young apple trees in their yard. I think of ministry as a seed-planting exercise, though.

3. Does the idea of roaming around the countryside (preaching or otherwise) appeal to you? Why or why not?

Hmmm...interesting question. Yes, in the sense that it'd be treat to get to know the country better and to meet all those people on what would probably be a musical tour of some kind for me. No, in the sense that home is my favorite place to me, with Beloved and the pups and our big, comfy bed.

I could do it for some period of time, I guess...though I wouldn't want it to be like college choir tour. We sang at Disneyland, for our tour bus driver and a couple of our host "moms." Chamber choir of fourteen, audience of three. But, honestly, who goes to Disneyland to listen to some obscure midwestern choir? We got in for free, though. That part was really fun!

4. Who is a favorite "historical legend" of yours?

David. The psalmist/shepherd/king/dancer/father/warrior/adulterer. He's so colorful and human! And his songbook is pretty good, I have to say. :-)

5. Johnny Appleseed was said to sing to keep up his spirits as he traveled the roads of the west. Do you have a song that comes when you are trying to be cheerful, or is there something else that you often do?