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A Tale That Gardeners Will Love

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By MONICA BRANDIES | The Brandon News

Published: March 30, 2007

Gardeners who enjoy reading for relaxation and entertainment get that and more in Barbara Oehlbeck's newest book, "Mama: Root, Hog, or Die."

As the stories unfold, readers can almost smell Mama's roses at the end of the porch and enjoy Gramma's favorite hollyhocks that stand 2 feet taller than she does.

Mama, Nancy Harding, climbed right onto the workman's tractor and drove it out of the way to save the hundreds of daffodil bulbs builders were destroying. The workmen took their scolding, then got down on their own hands and knees and helped her fill bushel baskets with every bulb in sight.

Nongardeners also will love this book, as it is endorsed by Patrick Smith, author of "A Land Remembered."

In her folksy style, Oehlbeck writes: "Born in a cold back bedroom in mid-December of the coldest winter on record in Grayson County, Va., Mama knew what a man's world was like long before the concept became popular. At age 75 she told my father she needed a new chainsaw and she got it."

In a time when heroes are too often hellions, when the flavor of rural life is almost forgotten, when too many people are living the exact opposite of the old adage of "waste not, want not." This book is a welcome reminder of generosity and ingenuity, of making do "not only for her family and friends but also for strangers who touched her life."

Both of Oehlbeck's parents, Nancy and Glenn Harding, had the uncanny ability to fix or make anything they needed or wanted. They built their own house. Together they ran a motorcycle repair shop after supper and on Saturdays. Nancy ran it during the days while Glenn worked full time at a furniture factory. Mama learned by lookin'.

Since they both could and would fix anything, people brought in small appliances, anything with wheels, and toys by the dozens.

They lived on a corner lot that hobos and hungry youngsters knew as a good place to eat. They also had a farm nearby where his parents lived, but where all of them worked. They raised four children of their own, then later adopted and raised a fifth.

While the book is full of wonderful stories, it is also full of mystique. You end up hoping there will be a sequel.

And while you take the people to your heart, you're relieved to find them human.
Mama got awfully tired of her daughter's constant questions and it took her a while to appreciate the carpet of bougainvillea petals that covered her daughter's porch and steps when she visited Oelhbeck's Florida home. Mama was all for grabbing a broom and sweeping them clear.

Mama took it right in stride when a young woman appeared at her door in tears on a winter morning looking for the greenhouse growing pink violets that she had to have for her wedding bouquet later that day. The florist had seen some in a window on Spring Street. Once she calmed the girl, Mama took her upstairs to the huge plant in the dormer window, got a jar, and picked close to three dozen stems of pink African violets, well more than 50 blooms, Mama's gift to the bride.

Each chapter is a story in itself, so you can read the book little by little if you don't get too hooked. While Mama is definitely the main character, Oelhbeck also brings to life the dear man she always calls "my father." But the love between them all comes through strong and clear

The book is illustrated with excellent photos, many by Dr. Luther Oehlbeck, but some by Mama herself.

To order the book, send a check or money order for $24.95, plus tax $1.75, plus postage $2.07, total $28.77 to: Barbara Oehlbeck, 25075 Grassy Run, LaBelle, FL 33935. For information, call (863) 675-2771 or e-mail doco@strato.net.

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