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Show Well, Ive never dreamed about them. worms. When I started in this I thought, I Rutherford says harvesting night dont know anything about this, this is crawlers, which she sells for $2.50 a just truly experimental, but 1 thought, I said and monot- need a good looking sign! dozen, is a friend build her had who a onous job, requiring vigilant watering Rutherford, and regular mowing of the lawn. It also sign. Any time that sign is hanging out requires a willingness to hover over the there, 1 figure, have worms to back what lawn when most folks are going to that sign says. And although shes been down to two sleep. I have a strong back and a weak or three dozen a few rimes, Rutherford mind, she said, adding that she usually proudly boasts she has never had to turn goes to work each night at about 9:30. a customer away. Which means she must Despite the unconventional hours, go out on a daily basis, to hand water her Rutherford says her vigilance pays off. I lawn, and, of course, Neighbor No. go out with my lantern and hand pick Is. Bur this is only part of the process. em, and Im sure thats why theyre a better quality than crawlers brought up with Almost nightly, Rutherford straps on belt attached to an old her make-shi- ft chemicals. The chemicals Rutherford is referring Oleo container, grabs her flashlight to are solutions that can be mixed with covered with a red scarf (which breaks water and spread on a dry lawn, causing the direct glare, allowing her to see the worms to boil out in the daytime. without scaring off the worms), and But that idea doesn't fit in with spends a few hours picking. Rutherfords belief that if youre going to Boy, you gotta be fast, said do something, you might as well do it Rutherford. Sometimes theyre out right. quite a ways and sometimes they just You get lots of small worms, and they peek out. Ive learned that you've got dont live like the ones that crawl out nat- to get a hold of them and get 'em out of that burrow or youll break em in urally. she explained. Rutherford's commitment to quality two. From there, she packages the worms has given her a loyal clientele, some of whom have been bus ing her worms since generally six dozen a night, but someclienis in she started times as many as 20 in damp peat 1989. h this loyal tele that has deepened her vow to never moss and a bit of newspaper. Often it have to tell a customer she is out of keeps Rutherford up past midnight. time-consumi- ng - - Jtmy Mi Bride Above: Rutherford maintains a stocked jmry McBnde Still, shes up again at six, ready to do it all over again. This isnt to say Rutherford doesnt make time for other interests. In fact, she is also known for her mean cinnamon rolls and g pies. But when asked why she doesnt just sell baked award-winnin- refrigerator for her loyal customers, some of whom have been with her since she opened in 1989. Inset: Rutherford catches up to 20 dozen worms a night, which sell for $2.50 a dozen. gods, she laughs, I'm gonna start doing that when too old to pick w'orms!" liuryn Shatter is a five-homusician living in worm-ruhle- n ur I get writer ant! Dolores. Ugffigfrtgflnft HrjElKilfcr, to Black River Traders can best be described as a pilgrimage to New Mexico s past and a part A trip JJ 7 ft ' s O of Americana for both" natives and visitors. - , x X, r s. Performances Performances every Wednesday thru Saturday evening at b pm. Lions Wilderness Amphitheater opens at 6 pm., dinner is served at 6:30 pm. Call for Tickets 505-599- -1 f327J5iU45 'uranq ftUn- - 148 2'47l3690j A r800:545-4805- 1 June 16, 2000 - Cross Currents 7 |