Theme & Variations
Monday, August 3, 2009 The theme, which I started in a previous post, is a day in a country garden; the variations are minor: on this visit, I read more and walked less -- it was too hot for physical movement beyond turning the page. Normally on a long weekend I'd welcome the sunshine, but this year I would have been thrilled with a heavy downpour. Many forest fires are burning in the province today. My thoughts and prayers are with the evacuees and the fire-fighters.
You might sense my niggling feeling of unease behind some of the photos. The summer has been too hot and dry and concerns about climate change temper my happiness about the kitchen garden harvest.
"Winter" and lavender greet me as I pull into my mom's driveway.
"Gardening at the Dragon's Gate", THE book on my summer reading list. Make that life-enriching reading list.
Cool as a cucumber in the shade: 'Green Fingers', a Persian Baby Cucumber suitable for containers. We let it grow to more than 15 cm (6 inches) before munching its chilled, crisp, crunchiness yesterday. Very refreshing.
A small summer harvest -- I'll be consulting my food network (you know who you are) on how to make the most of the flavour and freshness.
Heirloom Sweet Pea 'Cupani's Original'
"An especially strong blooming strain of the first cultivated sweet pea. Perfumed, heat-tolerant and beautifully bi-colored in deep maroon-purple and orchid-violet" (Source: Renee's Garden Seeds)
Almost dusk. I wish I could say this is a completely smog-free sunset but I'm not sure.
I don't want to end this post on a low note. Despite immediate and long-term concerns threats on my mind this BC Day long weekend, I'm still grateful for the beauty, bounty and life's lessons Nature provides in exchange for a little bit of sowing, watering, feeding and TLC.
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Reader Comments (5)
Very pretty photo of your harvest in the basket. I just toss stuff I harvest in a metal bucket. It never looks as inspired as your cornucopia!
I understand your worries, and it's sad when they interrupt a weekend of enjoying nature. The garden looks lovely, and the cucumber in the photo is just crying out to me to be eaten.
Thanks, Fern. I found the basket in our condo's recycling bin a couple of years ago -- I knew I'd find a use for it eventually. I don't usually spend so much time arranging veggies but this was the first significant harvest from our small garden.
Yes, Arwen, it's hard to ignore the world beyond our home and garden -- and that's a good thing. I appreciate your understanding. Good news -- the temperatures are lower (more seasonal) today and showers are in the forecast for later in the week. I'm tempted to do a rain dance. The biggest fire in the province is still not under control. We are seeking helping from Australia so thank you very much!
Oh, darlin', I know that awful, gut-wrenching 'ick' you feel about the hotter than hot summer. The fires have been devastating in your part of the world this summer. Sad as it is to say, I wish you autumn and soon!
Just ordered the Johnson book, thank you. Lovely recommendation.
Stay cool.
Hi Lucy. I t feels a bit more like Autumn this week. It rained yesterday -- hurrah. Never thought I'd be so happy to see rain in August.
You will LOVE the Johnson book. You have the same sensibility about gardening and food as the author.