Savoring the moment

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Our farm is situated perfectly for enjoying sunrises and sunsets. My boys know how I feel about a painted sky. If I'm not paying attention at that moment when a cloud formation is lit up by the golden rays of a setting sun or the surprising colors of a rising sun they'll holler at me. Instinctively I reach for my camera hoping to capture that moment of grandeur on film to enjoy it later. It's the same with fireworks. I tried for years to somehow capture fireworks but still images just don't do them justice. I have given up taking pictures of them. I just enjoy the moment.

I think there's an important lesson here. Just accept the squash from your neighbor. Wait. Did I say squash? We were enjoying sunsets and fireworks and all of a sudden it turned to that vegetable that people plant and seem to forget about until they've grown into football sized monstrosities. We gardeners have good intentions. Really. The problem is that the squash seed packet has a dozen or so seeds so as good gardeners who don't waste anything... we plant them. ALL of them. When that happens, squash happens.

If you mention that your squash plants didn't make it, mysteriously, you might find bags of the green or yellow vegetable in nondescript, untraceable bags on your doorstep. This is the drop and run that your gardening neighbors engage in when they've planted the whole package. When you think you've tried it every possible way, remember the winter. Remember not having fresh squash, even the huge ones that have to be turned into sweet bread. By the way, If anyone wants to make some for me, I'll accept it any day of the year. It's divine (not very healthy) and oh, so yummy. The point is that, like the sunset and fireworks, it won't last long, so savor it. Enjoy the sunsets, the fireworks and the squash.

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Editor's note: Mechel Wall is owner and operator of both The Cottage Flower Shop and Wallflower Farm. She can be contacted at [email protected].

Editorial on 07/11/2018