Easy Pickins. . . .

One fact of life:  life will not be stopped.

And such is the case in the garden this evening.  remember the "baby squishes" from last week?  Well, TA DA!

Man, can't wait for some fried squash!

And those tomatoes?  They are coming along nicely too.  The weekend rain sure helped everything and without a doubt I am one happy garden ape.

Here is the Cherry 100 variety. . .

And below are what I think are Better Boy. . .could be Arkansas Traveler, I'll have to check on that.

Lots of good eating ahead folks.  And it's gonna be a toss-up between what I like better, fresh tomatoes or a pot full of purple hull peas.  Ah, the choices!  What do you think?

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Garden Variety. . .

Although it's been tough to find time to garden this year, I have managed to get a few items planted. So far we have four kinds of tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, crook-neck squash, okra and purple hull peas.

Life is coming hard and fast these days and the garden offers a quiet sanctuary to ponder weighty thoughts and be one with the natural world. There is something satisfyingly simple and soothing about being out there alone amongst the growing things and admiring the great tenacity of life.

Here is a close-up of the squash. I guess one might call those "baby squishes."

And here are the very healthy and much awaited purple hull peas.  And my homemade "trellis of disorder", which last year wasn't so effective because I did not have it constructed before these vining peas sent out the climbing "shoot" and flopped over on the ground to grapple with the grass and each other.  This year I expect better results.  Man, fresh oven-baked cornbread and purple hulls peas?  Nothing better!

And let's not forget the tomato, the true fruit of summertime labor.  You know I was wrong, I think i have more than four varieties planted.  Let's see:  Better Boy, Arkansas Traveler, Celebrity, Big Boy, Sweet 100 and another indeterminate cherry type tomato that I cannot recall.  No matter, all tomatoes are good and it's always the highlight of the summer to have a fresh tomato from the garden.  Can't wait!

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The Harvest. . .

For the last weeks, I've been quietly ignoring my garden, first because I'm lazy and secondly, well. . .see reason #1.

The truth is, I knew some of the Johnson grass has gotten out of hand and there is a fire ant bed that requires removal and lastly, I need to tie up some of my indeterminate varieties of tomatoes as I have just let them flop about and become a sight unruly. I sorta like the unkempt, disheveled look around the garden, it fits my style.

The glorious thing about Mother Nature is that she could care less about the Johnson grass, or the ants or the tying up of sprawling tomato plants. Leave her to her own devices and she will create beauty and take it all in the same breath. That is her will and we are mercilessly powerless against it and her.

As it is, life continues. . .always.

We can only step back in awe at the persistence, strength and tenacity of life. Life is all around us and a large majority of the daily living and breathing is simply ignored. So, stop and take a long look every now and again, bend over and truly examine the pattern of a plant leaf, the brilliant color of a flower or the tiny spider who engineered a web in your windowsill.

Revel in the glory of the creation.

Life is a unique phenomenon and to begin to understand it starts with seeing and acknowledging it first, and secondly, respecting it.

Here is what Mother Nature was kind enough to yield for my enjoyment today:



Leeks, tomatoes, squash, zucchini and red potatoes.



This sure beats dumpster diving.

Link Tip: JWF

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Garden Photos. . .

Straightneck Squash Blossoms
Egypt Hill, Mississippi - May 2007

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