Well hello Wren! It’s been a while since we last chatted here. I know things have been very busy for both of us, both in and out of the garden! The copious rain and brutal heat over the last few weeks has been a challenge for both of us…not a very typical July for the Northeast. Though perhaps going forward it will become more “normal” as global warming ramps up. It’s scary and depressing to contemplate but I choose to take comfort and solace in gardening, which keeps me in the moment even as it reminds me of the seasonal changes we cannot avoid…
My garden is lush with flowers and weeds! I finally had time this week to weed my vegetable garden, and will be doing some more today before the rain arrives—AGAIN. I’ve harvested cucumbers, potatoes, a couple of cherry tomatoes, and some herbs. I planted some more carrots, kale and lettuce from seed, and some Kennebec seed potatoes I forgot about. Some of my potatoes have weird rotten spots, no doubt from being too wet. I’m so grateful for the last several days of sunny cool weather.
This morning, after having a backyard fire last night in honor of Lammas Eve (I also baked loaves of pound cake! apricot with red raspberry glaze! YUM), I decided to clean up my woodpile area which was very damp and covered in leaves and crawling with slugs and jumping worms! I raked everything up, put down some nice-smelling pine mulch, and rearranged the logs and kindling so they’d get some air flow and dry out. I want to have more backyard fires, it seems a safe way to gather as we’re seeing the Delta variant spread COVID around once again, and we find ourselves battling another surge.
Mother Nature is surely mocking us now wondering how so many humans can continue to be so reckless and selfish and stupid. She teaches us that all things are connected, that life’s intricate web is made up of many beings depending on the others to keep things in balance. We’ve upset that balance and chaos now reigns in so many ways. Heavy thoughts to be having amid the splendor of high summer, its beauty and abundance…overwhelming to the mind and the senses. I crave a cool draught to ease the heat and tumult of this moment.
The world is too much with us, my friend, and yet as I contemplate what Lammastide brings, and what it means to me, I feel a sense of peace and balance. The rain will continue today, but the sun will come out tomorrow. The weeds will keep growing, but so will my vegetables. Summer marches on, weaving her bright tapestry, filling our baskets, invigorating our hearts. May we do the work that needs doing. May we rest in the shade when we need to. May we carry on as best we can. Blessings of high summer and harvest to you, dear Wren!