Blog Posts by Andrea Papke

John Steinbeck grew up in the Salinas Valley. He was born like I with a keen sense - though he studied at Stanford and witnessed The Dust Bowl, we were both raised on fertile land. As a child like he we picked among the migrant workers. I in the Willamette Valley and he in the most fertile land in the World: California's Central Coast. I loved the strawberries in Silverton/ he loved a Pine tree so that he called it his brother. I'd remembered picking and I'd must pick clean. Though it was hard work we were at-least paid. What enticed me about this topic is when my Mother came to visit me recently. It had been a long time since I'd left Oregon for better days and as I lay in bed- my Mother and I shared memories.

After I was discussing my life and journey to the Golden State/ she recommended the "Grapes of Wrath." We discussed life and my love of writing.

"Isn't it nice hear Mom never having to be cold? I'ts like living in a perpetual sauna in California."

"Yes it feels good and cozy/