큰마을 왕초보 농부 이야기
우리 동네 <큰 마을>은 이름과는 달리 크지는 않습니다. 스무 가호 정도가 옹기종기 모여 살고 있습니다. 그런데 동네 이름은 <큰 마을>이라 궁금해서 누군가에게 물었더니 이전에 사라호 태풍이 불기 전까지는 큰 마을이었다고 했습니다. 아마 그 때 당시로는 여기 저기 흩어져 있는 몇 개의 부락 중에서는 컸을 수 있습니다. 하지만 이제는 국도 14호선 좌우에 있는 대신마을이 훨씬 더 많은 가구들이 자리한 큰 동네가 되었습니다. 그리고 남쪽 언덕 넘어 길밑마을에도 큰마을보다는 더 많은 사람이 살고 있는 것 같고, 또 고속도로에서 척과 구룡 인터체인지에서 나오면 만나는 구룡마을도 만만치는 않습니다. 그러나 사실 이 부근에서 가장 많이 알려진 척과는 반용마을과 척과 마을로 구성되어 있는 참으로 큰 마을입니다. 최근 몇 년동안 인구유입이 가장 많은 동네이기도 합니다. 300호가 넘는다고 하던가요^^
큰마을이라고 불리우는 우리 동네는 원주민과 이주민의 비율이 비슷해 보입니다. 소를 키우는 분들이 서너 가구 되지만 그 가운데 우리 두산리 이장님도 있습니다. 상당히 많은 소들를 키우는 큰 축산농가의 주인입니다. 그 외에는 조그만 텃밭을 가꾸는 정도의 농사를 짓는 분들이 너댓가구가 있습니다. 그 중에서 상아산 아래에서부터 걸어와서 농사를 짓는 분, 이화에서도, 그 외에 시내에서도 전동자전거나 승용차를 타고 와서 밭농사를 짓는 분들이 있습니다. 아침 밥을 먹고 산책을 나가면서 자주 만나는 분들입니다. 그 가운데서도 몇 몇 분들은 너무 부지런합니다. 요즘 같은 여름이면 일찍부터 와서 밭일을 하는 것을 보면 감동입니다. 그분들의 눈에는 아침마다 산책하는 우리를 보면 팔자가 좋다고 할지 모르지만 당뇨 발병된지 올해 39년 차이니 열심히 걸어야 합니다. 혈당을 매일 재고 인슐린을 아침저녁으로 투여하고 저녁에는 혈당강하제까지 먹어도, 먹는 것도 절제해야 하고 반드시 운동을 해야 합니다.
지난 여름에 5주간 해외에 나갔다 돌아오니 늘 산책을 하던 코스를 풀들이 점령해서 도무지 갈 수가 없었습니다. 몸을 구부려 낫으로 그 무성한 길을 처리하기에는 여름 동안 디스크로 고생한 몸으로 무리라는 생각이 들었습니다. 그래서 언양까지 가서 충전식 예초기를 구입했습니다. 드디어 장화를 신고 방수앞치마를 입고 모자와 안경을 쓰고, 예초기를 목에 걸치고 풀을 베고 길을 내는 작업을 시작했습니다. 쑥대밭으로 변한 산책길을 정리하는데는 30분 정도 걸렸던 것 같습니다. 물론 한 번 더 작업을 기다리는 다른 코스가 있지만 일단 급한 불을 껐습니다. “오늘 아침 우리 동네 돈도골 산책을 모처럼 했습니다 한 달 보름을 묵혔더니 풀이 너무 자라서 예초기를 가지고 길을 열었습니다 잔디깍기 날도 주문하고요♡” “뒷산 돈도골도 목사님 정원이니 풀대밭을 못 보시는군요~ 구동 모터가 있는 연장은 항상 조심 또 조심 하세요~~” “봐줄 수는 있지만 걸을 수는 없었습니다. 특히 이슬이 내린 아침에는요 그래서 그나마 안전한 충전식 예초기를 구입했습니다. 네 말씀대로 조심조심하겠습니다^^” 사랑하는 분들의 염려와 우려 속에 무사히 작업을 끝내고, 물들어 올 때에 노 젓는다고 여름 내 묵혀둔 텃밭의 잡초들도 제압했습니다. 고추대를 뽑고 오이틀도 제거하고 호박과 옥수수를 심었던 땅에 무성했던 잡초를 다 제거했습니다. (이렇게만 쓰면 두 여인들이 섭섭할 수도 있습니다. 훨씬 더 많은 수고를 한 아내와 처제입니다)
그리고 우리 동네뿐 아니라 성안에서 큰 밭농사를 짓고 있는 장로님께서 아침 7시가 되기 전에 관리기를 가지고 오셔서 밭을 다듬어 놓고 가셨습니다. 감사하게 그날 새벽부터 조금씩 보슬비가 내리고 있었습니다. 비가 10센티 가까이 땅에 스며든 것 같습니다. 이제 멀칭을 하고 배추 모종을 사와서 40센티 거리를 두고 심어야 하고 무우씨는 한뼘 남짓 거리에 세 알씩 땅에 넣어주어야 한다는 지침을 주고 가셨습니다. 바빠서 커피 한 잔도 못하고 가셨지만요^^ 비오는 아침 정원의 꽃들과 다듬어진 텃밭의 전경을 사진으로 찍어보냈더니 또 다른 도움말이 초보 농부를 위해서 도착합니다. “오늘 나가서 배추모종과 무우 씨를 사오고 언양까지 가서 잔디깎기 날을 사서 교체합니다. 무엇을 심을 수 있는 공간이 있으니 감사합니다.” “조금 늦은 듯 하지만, 그래도 한국 대표 채소 배추, 무가 가을 반찬을 풍성하게 하는 것 같습니다~“ “네 가장이 열심히 챙기지 못해서 좀 늦었습니다. 그래도 늦은 비의 은혜가 있기를 바랍니다~~ “ “예~ 요즘은 좋은 비료(NK-CAL) 주면 무럭무럭 잘 자랍니다~” “선배 농부 님의 지혜를 나누어 주시니 감사합니다^^” “아이쿠~ 작년부터 하도 배추 무가 안 자라기에 유튜브 보니 다 올려져 있었습니다. 저의 집에 있는 비료 가져 가면 될 것 같습니다~” “그 비료는 언제쯤 사용하면 됩니까?” “심어 놓고 15~20일후면 본래 밭을 만들 때 넣은 비료퇴비 효과가 떨어질 때 쯤 넣어 주라고 하는데, 상황 봐 가면서 하면 될 것 같습니다 ~ 비료성분이 너무 많아도 웃자라는 부작용이 있다고 합니다~ 15일쯤 후에는 칼슘과 붕소는 필수로 넣어 줘야 잘 자라고, 단단해진다고 합니다~~” “감사합니다. 척과 두산 지역 농업지도사로 모시겠습니다^^ “감사합니다 ~ 그래서 목사님과 함께 하는 시간이 더욱 많아지면 참 좋겠습니다 ~~”
추신)지난 번 칼럼에 칼럼 보내는 일을 중단한다고 했더니 감사하게도 반대하는 독자들이 있어서 계속보내기로 했습니다. 혹 부담스러운 분은 단톡에서 조용히 나가는 뒷문도 열려있다는 것 아시죠^^
Tales of a Novice Farmer in 'Big Village'
Contrary to its name, our neighborhood 'Big Village' (Keun-maeul) is not all that large. About twenty households live nestled closely together. Curious about why it was called 'Big Village', I asked someone and was told that before Typhoon Sarah swept through long ago, it truly was a big village. Perhaps back in those days, it was indeed large compared to the few hamlets scattered here and there. Nowadays, however, Daeshin Village, flanking National Route 14 on both sides, has grown much bigger with far more households. Over the southern hill, Gilmit Village also seems to have more residents than ours, and Guryong Village, which greets you as you exit the highway interchange at Cheokgwa-Guryong, is quite substantial as well. Yet in truth, the most well-known place around here is Cheokgwa, comprised of Banyong and Cheokgwa villages—a truly sizable community. In recent years, it has seen the largest influx of new residents, reportedly exceeding 300 households. ^^
In our neighborhood called Big Village, the ratio of long-time locals to newcomers seems fairly balanced. Three or four households raise cattle, among them the village head of our Dusan-ri. He is the master of a large livestock farm with a considerable herd. Aside from that, four or five households cultivate modest kitchen gardens. Some walk down from the foot of Sangasan Mountain to tend their plots, while others come from Ihwa or even from downtown by electric bicycle or car to farm their vegetable patches. They are familiar faces I often encounter during my morning walks after breakfast. Several of them are remarkably diligent. In the heat of midsummer like now, watching them arrive early and labor faithfully in the fields is deeply moving. To their eyes, seeing us take leisurely morning strolls might make it seem as though we live a charmed life, but this year marks my 39th year living with diabetes, so walking diligently is a medical necessity. Even with daily blood sugar checks, morning and evening insulin injections, and evening blood glucose medication, I still must practice dietary discipline and exercise faithfully.
Last summer, after returning from a five-week trip abroad, I found my usual walking path entirely overrun by wild grass, making it impassable. Stooping low to clear that overgrown path with a hand scythe seemed far too demanding for a back that had suffered from herniated discs all summer. So I drove out to Eonyang and bought a rechargeable cordless brush cutter. Finally, equipped with rubber boots, a waterproof apron, a hat, and protective glasses, and with the brush cutter slung over my shoulder, I set to work cutting the grass and opening up the path. It took about thirty minutes to tame the path that had turned into a tangled wilderness. Of course, another trail is still waiting for its turn, but for now, the urgent fire has been put out.
"Took a walk through our neighborhood Dondogol this morning for the first time in a while. Leaving it untouched for a month and a half let the grass grow wildly, so I cleared the path with a brush cutter. I also ordered replacement lawn mower blades. ♡"
"Since the back mountain Dondogol is your garden too, Pastor, you simply couldn't stand seeing it turned into an overgrown thicket! Please be very, very careful whenever using motorized tools~~"
"I could bear looking at it, but I couldn't walk through it—especially on dewy mornings. That's why I bought a relatively safe rechargeable brush cutter. Don't worry, I will be very careful, just as you said. ^^"
Surrounded by the warm concern and care of loved ones, I safely finished the task. Striking while the iron was hot, I also tackled the weeds that had overrun the vegetable garden all summer long. I pulled up the dried chili stalks, dismantled the cucumber trellises, and cleared the rampant weeds where the pumpkins and sweet corn had grown. (If I leave it at that, two ladies might feel a bit slighted: my wife and sister-in-law, who labored far more than I did).
Then, an elder who manages large-scale vegetable farming in Seong'an as well as around our neighborhood came by before 7:00 a.m. with a motorized cultivator, tilled the soil, and tidied up the plot before heading off. Gratefully, a gentle drizzle had been falling since dawn, soaking roughly ten centimeters into the earth. Before rushing off, he left detailed instructions: apply mulch, buy Napa cabbage seedlings, plant them 40 centimeters apart, and sow three radish seeds per hole roughly a handspan apart. He was so busy he couldn't even stay for a cup of coffee. ^^
When I sent a photo of the rainy morning garden flowers and the freshly groomed vegetable patch, another wave of helpful advice arrived for this novice farmer:
"Heading out today to buy cabbage seedlings and radish seeds, and going to Eonyang to buy and replace the lawn mower blades. I am simply thankful to have space where something can be planted."
"It might feel a little late, but Korea's signature vegetables, cabbage and radish, will surely enrich your autumn table~"
"Yes, the head of the household was a bit tardy in getting things organized. Still, I pray for the grace of the late rain~~"
"Yes~ These days, if you apply good fertilizer (NK-CAL), they will grow vigorously and well~"
"Thank you for sharing your seasoned wisdom as an experienced farmer. ^^"
"Oh my~ Last year my cabbage and radish hardly grew, so I looked it up on YouTube and found everything explained. You can just take and use the fertilizer I have at home~"
"When should that fertilizer be applied?"
"They say to apply it about 15 to 20 days after planting, right when the initial compost mixed into the soil begins to lose its potency. You can adjust according to the condition of the crops~ If there are too many nutrients, they can overgrow weakly. After about 15 days, calcium and boron are essential so that they grow firm and healthy~~"
"Thank you. I shall appoint you as our official agricultural advisor for the Cheokgwa and Dusan area! ^^"
"Thank you~ I would truly love that, as it means having more time to spend with you, Pastor~~"
P.S. When I mentioned in the last column that I might stop sending these reflections, many readers kindly voiced their objections, so I have decided to keep sending them. For anyone who finds them a bit burdensome, you know the back door is always quietly open to slip out of the group chat. ^^
Stories van 'n Nuwelingboer in 'Groot Dorp'
Anders as wat die naam aandui, is ons buurt 'Groot Dorp' (Keun-maeul) glad nie so groot nie. Sowat twintig huishoudings woon knus en gemoedelik bymekaar. Nuuskierig oor hoekom die buurt 'Groot Dorp' genoem word, het ek eendag navraag gedoen en verneem dat dit lank gelede, voordat Tifoon Sarah daaroor gewoed het, werklik 'n groot dorpie was. Waarskynlik was dit destyds inderdaad groot in vergelyking met die paar gehugte wat hier en daar versprei gelê het. Deesdae het Daeshin-dorpie, weerskante van Nasionale Roete 14, egter 'n veel groter buurt geword met heelwat meer huishoudings. Oorkant die suidelike heuwel in Gilmit-dorpie lyk dit ook asof daar meer mense as in ons dorpie woon, en Guryong-dorpie, wat 'n mens teëkom wanneer jy by die Cheokgwa-Guryong-snelwegaansluiting uitdraai, is eweneens aansienlik. Tog is die bekendste plek in hierdie omgewing Cheokgwa, wat uit Banyong- en Cheokgwa-dorpie bestaan—waarlik 'n groot gemeenskap. Dit is ook die buurt wat die afgelope paar jaar die grootste toestroming van nuwe inwoners beleef het; daar word gesê dit tel reeds meer as 300 huishoudings. ^^
In ons buurt, wat Groot Dorp genoem word, blyk die verhouding tussen oorspronklike inwoners en nuwelinge taamlik gelyk te wees. Drie of vier gesinne boer met beeste, onder wie ook ons Dusan-ri-wykshoof. Hy is die eienaar van 'n groot veeboerdery met 'n aansienlike trop beeste. Buiten hulle is daar vier of vyf gesinne wat beskeie groentetuine bewerk. Onder hulle is daar mense wat al die pad van onder Sangasan-berg af stap om hul lappie grond te bewerk, terwyl ander van Ihwa of selfs uit die middestad per elektriese fiets of motor kom om tuin te maak. Dit is bekende gesigte wat ek dikwels teëkom wanneer ek ná ontbyt my oggendwandeling neem. Sommige van hulle is ongelooflik vlytig. In die somerhitte soos nou is dit hartverwarmend om te sien hoe vroeg hulle reeds opdaag om getrou in die landerye te swoeg. In hulle oë lyk dit dalk asof ons 'n sorgelose lewe lei wanneer ons elke oggend rustig stap, maar vanjaar is dit reeds 39 jaar sedert diabetes by my gediagnoseer is; ek móét dus fluks stap. Selfs al meet ek daagliks my bloedsuiker, spuit ek soggens en saans insulien in en neem ek saans bloedsuikerverlagende medikasie, moet ek steeds my eetgewoontes dissiplineer en gereeld oefen.
Verlede somer, toe ek ná 'n oorsese reis van vyf weke terugkeer, het ek gevind dat my gewone staproete heeltemal deur wilde gras oorgeneem is, sodat 'n mens glad nie daar kon deurkom nie. Om vooroor te buk en daardie digbegroeide paadjie met 'n sekel oop te kap, was heeltemal te veel gevra vir 'n lyf wat die hele somer lank onder rugdiskusprobleme gely het. Daarom het ek na Eonyang gery en 'n herlaaibare bossiekapper gekoop. Uiteindelik het ek met stewels aan, 'n waterdigte voorskoot voor, 'n hoed en 'n veiligheidsbril op, en die bossiekapper oor my skouer, aan die werk gespring om die gras te sny en die paadjie oop te maak. Dit het sowat dertig minute geneem om die staproete, wat in 'n warboel van onkruid verander het, skoon te kry. Daar is natuurlik nog 'n roete wat op 'n beurt wag, maar vir eers is die ergste brand geblus.
"Vanoggend het ek ná 'n lang ruk weer 'n wandeling deur ons buurt se Dondogol geneem. Omdat dit 'n maand en 'n half onaangeraak gelê het, het die gras so welig gegroei dat ek die pad met 'n bossiekapper moes oopkap. Ek het ook nuwe grassnyerlemme bestel. ♡"
"Aangesien die agterste berg, Dondogol, ook Dominee se tuin is, kon u dit sekerlik nie aansien dat dit 'n oerwoud word nie! Wees asseblief altyd uiters versigtig met gemotoriseerde gereedskap~~"
"Ek kon dit dalk nog aansien, maar ek kon nie daardeur stap nie—veral nie op 'n doubesproeide oggend nie. Daarom het ek 'n relatief veilige herlaaibare bossiekapper aangeskaf. Moenie bekommer nie, ek sal baie versigtig wees soos u sê. ^^"
Te midde van die liefdevolle besorgdheid van dierbares het ek die taak veilig afgehandel. En terwyl die yster warm was, het ek ook die onkruid aangepak wat die hele somer lank in die groentetuin welig getier het. Ek het die verdorde brandrissieplante uitgetrek, die komkommerrakke verwyder en al die onkruid skoongemaak waar die pampoene en mielies gestaan het. (As ek dit net so skryf, voel twee dames dalk te na gekom: my vrou en my skoonsuster, wat immers baie meer as ek geswoeg het).
Boonop het 'n ouderling wat nie net in ons buurt nie, maar ook in Seong'an groot groentelanderye bewerk, voor sewe-uur die oggend met 'n grondwerker gekom, die beddinge mooi gelykgemaak en weer vertrek. Genadiglik het daar sedert dagbreek 'n sagte motreën geval wat omtrent tien sentimeter diep in die grond ingesypel het. Voordat hy haastig moes vertrek, het hy nog duidelike riglyne agtergelaat: bring deklaag aan, koop Chinese koolsaailinge en plant hulle 40 sentimeter uitmekaar, en saai drie radyssaadjies per gaatjie omtrent 'n span uitmekaar. Hy was so besig dat hy nie eens tyd gehad het vir 'n koppie koffie nie. ^^
Toe ek op daardie reënerige oggend 'n foto van die tuinblomme en die netjies voorbereide groentebeddinge stuur, het nog praktiese raad vir hierdie nuwelingboer opgedaag:
"Gaan vandag uit om koolsaailinge en radyssaad te koop, en ry Eonyang toe om grassnyerlemme te koop en te vervang. Ek is eenvoudig dankbaar dat daar 'n plekkie is waar 'n mens iets kan plant."
"Dit voel dalk 'n bietjie laat, maar Korea se vernaamste groentes, kool en radys, sal gewis die herfstafel ryklik verryk~"
"Ja, die gesinshoof was 'n bietjie stadig om dinge agter mekaar te kry, so ons is ietwat laat. Tog hoop en bid ek vir die genade van die laat reëns~~"
"Ja~ Deesdae groei hulle flink en geil as 'n mens goeie kunsmis (NK-CAL) toedien~"
"Dankie dat u die wysheid van 'n ervare boer met my deel. ^^"
"Ag nee wat~ Verlede jaar wou my kool en radyse glad nie groei nie, en toe kyk ek op YouTube waar alles mooi verduidelik word. U kan gerus van die kunsmis by my huis kom haal en gebruik~"
"Wanneer behoort daardie kunsmis toegedien te word?"
"Hulle sê sowat 15 tot 20 dae ná planttyd, net wanneer die kompos wat aanvanklik in die bedding gewerk is, sy krag begin verloor. 'n Mens kan dit maar aanpas volgens die omstandighede~ As daar te veel voedingstowwe is, kan hulle te geil en slap opskiet. Ná sowat 15 dae is kalsium en boor noodsaaklik sodat hulle mooi stewig en gesond ontwikkel~~"
"Baie dankie. Ek stel u hiermee aan as ons amptelike landbouvoorligter vir die Cheokgwa- en Dusan-omgewing! ^^"
"Groot dankie~ Ek sal dit werklik verwelkom, want dan kan ek nog meer tyd saam met Dominee deurbring~~"
N.S.) Toe ek in die vorige rubriek genoem het dat ek sou ophou om hierdie skrywes te stuur, was daar genadiglik lesers wat beswaar gemaak het, en daarom het ek besluit om voort te gaan. Vir dié wat dit dalk effens te veel vind: onthou gerus dat die agterdeur altyd oopstaan om stilweg die kletsgroep te verlaat. ^^