The Shade of a Vine and Fig Tree
George Washington frequently used the Biblical reference “under the shade of my vine and fig tree” when referring to his beloved Mount Vernon. Anyone who has been privileged to visit our first president’s home could understand why he would enjoy sitting on his 94 feet piazza on a beautiful spring day. Recently, it was also a gorgeous spring day in eastern Oklahoma as I headed to Rhoades Elementary in Broken Arrow. I was wishing I could be outside under any “vine and fig tree” instead of being in classrooms all day long . . . and then it hit me! I will take the second graders outside! So during each period the classes eagerly learned about George Washington’s house and farms—from the crops to the cupola and the treading barn to the tunnel. The students were amazed with rustication. Although the General’s house looks like it is made of stone, it is really wood. Washington had the boards cut to look like stone blocks and then “dashing, as long as any will stick, the Sand upon a coat of thick paint” (Washington’s words). Once the sand and paint dried the boards appeared to be stone. All the second graders (and I) decided they wanted the job of throwing the sand! After the pupils’ heads were full of learning, we took buckets of sidewalk chalk outside. Each group of students illustrated one of Washington’s animals—from his Hog Island Sheep to “Royal Gift” (the very cantankerous donkey sent as a present by the King of Spain). The students had a great time creating their chalk masterpieces. And me? I, of course, was seated under the shade of a vine and fig tree!
May 6th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
That looks like fun!
General Washington's piazza is heavenly enough to be described as biblical. I'm still amazed that he had enough selflessness to leave Mount Vernon for such long periods of time. I surely couldn't do it.