Some Like It Hot
Those who know me know the story about the locusts. My Grandfather told me that from the time you hear the first locust, mark six weeks and that's the beginning of fall. I'm sure I've changed that story somewhat. If I were to go back far enough I think it would be six weeks marks the first frost, but time does that to a person.
I don't tend to go by the book for seasons. I feel a change in—well, in something that lets me know a different season has arrived. I did just hear the first locust last week, but I was informed that I was mistaken. The other kid that lives in this house said he had heard that dinkle-nosed creature 'weeks ago'.
Ha, I'm still counting my six weeks from this week. Kids...sometimes we don't really change. I'd add a wink, wink, and a smile. I've felt a subtle change in the weather already, however and here it is only the last of July.
Last of July and I've not had a ripe tomato yet. Shame! The first of my cucumbers has been from my dear daughter's and our favorite son-in-law's garden. Yum, yum, thank you dears. But our first sweet corn was ours, and today! Yes! Ecstatic happy dance. We have enjoyed fresh beets for several weeks now. I pulled a few beets thinking I'd at least thin the overcrowded row and have some beet greens, only to find tender succulent beet roots along with the greens.
A few weeks ago we had hot, humid, miserable weather, but it didn't last long. Probably only lasted two weeks where we had the air on part of the time. I'm prayerful that we don't have that kind of weather again this year, but it is still supposed to be summer. This is the time of the year when tomatoes do ripen and the kitchen is immersed in the smells of tomato sauce, ragu, salsa, peppers, cucumber pickles. We are inundated with wonderful garden produce such as okra, fried—or pickled, fried green tomatoes, zucchini and summer squash and green beans. And eggplant. I like eggplant and spaghetti squash. Sigh... So many bountiful blessings. I'm always hopeful and prayerful that perhaps next year I'll be back to being myself, able to help with the garden planting and harvest. Who says I'm a pessimist?
