It's Still Life

1.

The clouds could no longer hold the rain. It fell in curtains. Wind’s fingerprint on everything. Sunflowers abandoned to the shadows; petals melted in the rain. I’m thankful for rain in the midst of a drought. The rain barrels are full to overflowing again! 

2. Planning an 8-day trip to Avignon in southern France in October. I’ve wanted to see this historic city for a very long time, including the 1st century Roman aqueduct in Nimes. Thankful for the chance to see something so amazing.

3. A huge limb from one the Apostle Trees fell one night. It’s the  circumference of my waist and longer than my husband is tall: he’s 6’4″.

Thankfully it didn’t crash through the greenhouse, or land on a vehicle driving by. 

4. The cucumber plants in the greenhouse are like a dog with a bone; they refuse to give up.

They’re still setting blossoms, and I’m hopeful for a few more cucumbers. 

5. Still a few weeks worth of tomatoes, and I’m grateful. The skin are thickening so they might be destined for the freezer. Freeze whole on a baking sheet, and then pop into a bag to use later. The skins just slip right off. 

6. Picked a another big bowl of tomatoes, and made tomato and red lentil soup in the slow cooker. Delicious.

Thankful for an easy recipe that never fails.

7. I know it’s like calling a bear, a bear — but these are grapes.

And our hot weather and dry conditions meant they’re free of mould and exceptionally sweet. We’re eating them, gratefully, straight from the vine.

8. This extraordinary white rose is honey-scented. I am thankful to fill my head with nature’s perfume. 

9. Proof that cyclamen can take whatever you throw at them: heatwaves; drought; direct sun; slugs; ants, and my husband who kept trying to dump them into the bin.

I’m thankful that they didn’t give up and die. 

10. Blackberries. Yum. Thank you.