Summer's Bounty

It is hard to imagine that summer is 2/3 complete as of today.

My garden, small orchard and two hens are all producing more food than I can consume, and it is time to begin the process of harvest and preserving for the cold months, though they seem to be a ways off -- the feeling of autumn is in the evening air.

It never ceases to amaze me how the lengthening of the days until the summer equinox seems to take so long, while as soon as it passes, how quickly they seem so much shorter!!!

This summer is cooler than the last, and most of my tomatoes have not yet turned from green to red, but squash, beans, salad green, snow peas, onions and the lovely nastursiums to put into my salads are abundant and lush.

My parrot and I ate the peaches from the tree until we had our fill, and now there are three dried quarts which is about the equivalent ten quarts canned... The satsuma plum tree is laden with so many I am not going to even try to estimate how much there will be, and they are just now starting to soften and sweeten, so harvest and drying will begin within probably no more than a week. There is something about tree ripened fruit that is dried at its peak, sweeter than candy and so much more nutritious - drying does not destroy the enzymes or vitamins the way canning does and it is a much simpler process. Next come the apples, which can keep or be dried -- although last year I made several quarts of apple butter that is to die for, so that may happen again this year.

I can only be extremely grateful that Nature tends to be bountifully abundant, especially in the summer. My wish for you is to enjoy the fruits of summer and savor these last few days before the cycle returns to cooler days and the return of winter.

Recently I discovered that someone in Pasadena in Southern California has an urban garden that is producing massive amounts of food. So even in the heart of a large city the joy of being able to grow your own food is possible, and I highly recommend it -- as a hobby, for recreatiion or just for the opportunity to reconnect with the earth. You can actually watch the 10 minute video at this link: http://solari.com/blog/?p=3903 The video inspired me to take a few photos of my garden this morning, so if they come out (I still use an old fashioned camera with film....) I may post one or two here.

Be well, and prosper in the abundance of this beautiful planet that is our home.

Till next time,

Merlyn