Even in California we know it’s coming. It’s autumn, but the tomatoes are red, ripe and juicy. There’s a nip in the air, but the melons are ripe and fragrant (and oh so tasty…sigh). Peaches fill the farmers market…but we also see glimpses of sweet potatoes, grapes, pumpkins and pomegranates. We may be in the “Cadillac Desert” but, even here, there is no free lunch…seasons change. Harvest.
The same goes for our garden. Pick those tomatoes, dry those beans, pickle more cucumbers (again?!?) and can/jam those berries and peaches. And if you have a friend who likes thermofuckingnuclear hot peppers, then some “generosity” is in order. Have at it. Share. Abundance is something to celebrate (unless all you have is zucchini, then go stand over there…;-).
All the while we plant our winter crops and look to the colder seasons. Tomatoes become jars of sauce. Peaches freeze into sorbet (yum- won’t last into winter, but whatever), we cure bacon and smoke almonds. There is flavor to be had in any season. And, of course, there are always seasonal cocktails. If you don’t have a bottle of Laird’s Bonded Applejack or good Calvados, now is the time…time to celebrate. Time to reflect. Time to share with friends. And, perhaps, time to take a well-earned nap….
It isn’t an accident that our largest and most important festivals and holidays come after the harvest. Our annual miracle, and it is a miracle, happened again. We live, we eat, we share, we love. Remember that Billions of people live from the fruits of this Earth. It is far from perfect (lord knows, there is more to do) but we have a good foundation to work from. Harvest is time to be thankful and look to the future. We say “thanks for this year and cheers to the next, may your pantry be so full you can share”….and remember to share, there is nothing better….
We leave you with flowers…Happy Monday….
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- Round Up Ready – Tomato Edition (onaquasirelatednote.wordpress.com)
- Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (myvillagewitch.wordpress.com)
- Coming full circle: gardening for winter has begun (winterbounty.wordpress.com)
