It is so hard for me to believe that even though the average temperature lately has been 110 to 118 degrees, my humble little Victory Garden is still producing a beautiful healthy Harvest for us! Surviving against the odds and being productive under pressure. A great Garden "Lesson".
Granted, the plants look haggard enduring such brutal unforgiving weather and circumstances, as are we all *Winks*... and I can't miss a daily early Morning watering or they would surely succumb... but they're all still bearing the fruits of that labor abundantly! The poor Tomato plants have burnt and withered leaves and stark stems, but are still heavily laden with lovely Cherry Tomatoes! The Basils aren't as lush as they were in the Spring, but they're still putting forth lovely tasty leaves and are now setting seeds for next Season. The Mints aren't any of the worse for wear in spite of the Desert blistering Sun... Mint certainly is a hardy Herb that I have a newfound respect for. Another amazingly resilient Herb is the Italian Parsley, it seems oblivious to absurd fluctuations in temperatures and so I'm still able to enjoy fresh Tabouleh made from cuttings of it. The Onions and Dill are still growing strong and even a few hardy Lavender have lasted this Summer! The only casualty of the Summer Heat was the Lettuce, but only after the temps exceeded 110, until then they went strong and lush. Alas my young Citrus Trees bore no Fruit this Season and we put the unfortunate Lemon Tree to rest... but overall, this year's Harvest far exceeded my expectations and I've decided that planting from Seed is definitely the way to go... cheaper... and the Seedlings develop with endurance and resilience for their specific environment, which transplanted young plants from the Nurseries that have been pampered, well, they simply don't fare as well under pressure and extreme circumstances.
And today I'm very encouraged and have Good News... I have an update on our Mom... she came off Life Support and is now breathing on her own Praise God! She is still very sick but she is doing a good job, staying resilient, strong and as tough as old boots and our Hope is that she may be out of ICU and into a regular room within the week?!? *Happy Dance* There will be some tough decisions and adjustments ahead of us all... but we're up by Faith and know it will hold... I thank everyone for their Prayers, encouraging words and well wishes, it has meant so much!
Bon Appetit...
Dawn... The Bohemian
"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Unknown
"Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you." ~ Aldous Huxley
Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible. - Claude Bissell
Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are. - Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha