Apple varieties are dwindling.  Who cares?  We should. Apples represent America and the roots of this country.  The care that most citizens put into the growing and preparation of the fruit, represented the growth and care and respect of all.  The America of tody doesn't care much about our future much anymore.  Today we find out that our Social Security will be getting the lowest cost of living raise ever.  Senior Citizens don't need to be able to afford to buy the ever increasing costs of goods and services?    This is the America of today.

Today is also Columbus Day where children get off from school.  If they are lucky they can possibly go with their parents Apple picking.  We do every year .  The fall foliage is in full color and the apples literally are ready to fall off the trees.  The air is crisp and cool but a bright sunny day to warm your cheeks.  I love it.  You also loved my sad story about the state of the apples lately in this country.  It has been my most popular blog post ever. So, thanks for reading and caring. Here it is again from December 14, 2011.

In the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains there are apple orchards in the town of Pinnacle trying to save the integrity of 200 years of work from the settlers here in America.  150 years ago there were 6,000 varieties of apples that were widely grown and now that has dwindled down to a few hundred varieties.  They don’t care anymore like the guys that don’t care about keeping Socoal Security alive for Grand ma.

It takes care and devotion to maintain a apple tree for decades.  Each year it must be carefully pruned in an effort to save old southern apples.  Apples are as American as….. you know, Apple Pie.  The seeds were brought here by some of the first European settlers Apples were a critical part of the early American diet.  They are hearty, nutritious, delicious and versatile.  

They were fried for breakfast as apple fritters.  They were stewed for supper.  They were dried on the roof tops of their homes so they can have apples in the wintertime.  Yes, unlike the fund managers we give our money for safekeeping that don’t even know where the money should be going to, the settlers managed their wealth , the apple seed to fortify them year round.

The variety of apples had distinctive names like Arkansas Black, Gilmore Winesap, Swiss Limbertwig and Paragon to name a few.  But as time went on these heirloom varieties started to disappear.  Well, you can blame it on the railroads.  The Industrial Revolution of the 1800’s.  Now the apple could be shipped from distant places.  They didn’t need to grow apples to survive anymore.  Just like simply putting your money in a bank account  in your local main street bank we put our money in funds somewhere in cyber space.  

Over 30 years ago there are farmers that decided to bring back lost apples.  They are saving more than 500 varieties.  Some of which are the only ones known to exist.  But saving these apples are not just about saving history, the taste needs to be savored.  Some taste like coconut or pineapple or even raspberries.  

Go 60 miles north from Pinnacle, North Carolina  to Dugspur Virginia where award winning ciders are being made. The complex flavors of the old types of apples are making an interesting flavor for cider.  The main company is Foggy Ridge Cider that is offering the latest edition of an American tradition. Restaurants are now offering gourmet ciders somewhere between the beer and wine lists and the soda and iced tea list.

Yes, those guys  in $1,000 suits that can’t find  money were supposed to find a way for your cash to grow.  The gourmet cider industry is the fund that is growing for the apple orchard owners.  To find an apple that was thought to be extinct to spend 30 years to grow it and to taste it for the first time is an ultimate experience.  Just like all the money people were supposed to be able to enjoy after 30 years of saving their money to be growing and put towards their retirement.

Apples originated in Kazakhstan where they have been evolving for  over 4.5 million years just like money that has been around for the same time.  Hold on to your money and try to make it grow because it is dwindling and no one is going to jail for loosing it.