Ann Romney and Johnny Appleseed

I woke up this morning whistling an old Disney classic, Johnny Appleseed; a little movie that taught me a thing or two as I grew up.

“The Lord is good to me,” go the lyrics, “and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and rain and an apple seed.”

Johnny Appleseed’s real name was John Chapman. Born in Massachusetts a couple of years before independence, he became known for his love of nature, his love of apples, and his love of God.  He was an itinerant evangelist and environmentalist (Johnny was a vegetarian) who would plant apple trees – always apple trees – and preach the gospel to anybody who would listen. Often times he would show up out of the blue in front of settlers houses, and in exchange for a few apple seeds and a Christian story to the children, Johnny Appleseed would receive a floor to sleep on for the night and dinner.  The next morning he was off. Widely respected by the Indians for his gentle touch, even the most war-like tribes admired him and let him pass unharmed; considering that he posessed “the Great Spirit.” In fact, in his time wandering through Indian lands he brought a great many into his faith. As the book, “Johnny Appleseed: A Pioneer Hero” best puts it: