Remembering what is important

The beauty of the harvest, better than diamonds, gems and other material goods.  What could be more meaningful than the sweat of your labor resulting in the sweet taste of snap peas, the crisp crunch of cucumber, the savory flavor of fresh picked onion and carrots, the richness of the beet and the colorful zest of tomatoes and strawberries.  A great reminder of what is real in life.

The disappointment of yesterday is overtaken by the joy of perseverance.  The eggplants on the right front have developed the buds that will turn into fruit.  The beets in the middle front have been harvested and a new zucchini planted.  It may be too late in the season for the squash family, but the new feeling of hope has sent caution to the wind.  The flat leaf parsley just behind the new zuc is thriving and made my watermelon gazpacho especially tasty.  After battling the materialistic daily society the return to the soil and personal physical effort of the organic garden revitalizes and replenishes the soul.

The Five Little Peppers and How they Grew . . . (okay its only four)

Fresno Peppers

Jalapeno Peppers (what a bouquet!)

Spicy Thai Peppers

Who knew Cayenne Peppers grow so long?

These peppers were the stars in our spicy chili served over barbequed hot dogs for tonight's dinner.  The simplicity made the joy even greater.

After harvesting the snap peas and removing failed plantings, hope begins again with the planting of head and leaf lettuce. Succession planting continues. 

This head and mesclun lettuce is almost ready!

The long winter slowed the growth of the tomatoes this year, but they too persevered.  Check out these developing beef steak tomatoes.

But, these are not doing too well.  The "back forty" does not have enough water.

The finale.  Life reflects the beauty of growing old.  As one matures, some opportunities are harvested, others are missed.  But in the end, the beauty of the whole being shines through.

Artichokes not harvested were allowed to bloom to a different gloriousness.