These have been some of the hottest and most blistering days I have experienced in a long time, at least since last July. I seem to forget just how scorching the Mississippi weather can be in the “good ole summertime.”
Of course, our little garden is proliferating as fast as gremlins in a water bath. My farmer, Roy, gathers the abundance of vegetables every other day and my freezers are full of squash, squash, squash.
I’ve made pickles, the ones you “rot” in water and vinegar for several days, canned pickled okra, and eat as many raw vegetables as possible that one person can munch and ingest.
I’ve given plenteous amounts to our children, brothers and sisters, friends and relatives and my kitchen counters are still covered with yellow, red and green fruits and a few purple egg plants. These are waiting and ready for me to preserve for the cold absent of fresh veggies wintertime.
Now mind you, I’m not complaining about the abundance of this produce, but sometimes, sometimes I just get to thinking, “We have several grocery stores full of produce so why am I peculiar in growing and preserving my own with all the added steps that go into my own preserving these fresh vegetables?”
My husband being the forever country boy, he assures me that bulk preservation and home make a big difference. I’m sure all of you home gardeners and farm boys will agree.
I was brought up working in a garden and growing off fryers (small chickens) and raising all of our food for the cold months, so I realize all this. I also realize that when the overabundance of produce reaches my back door, it’s my “liability.” Then I also remember, I only asked him to plant a few hills of cucumbers and tomatoes, not over and above the normal.
It seems that every year, our little patch is taken over by the pasture grass that once thrived there, and it seems to consume the good stuff.
With the grass as plentiful as it is, I am anxious and have to be ever vigilant that when he goes down to gather the fruit, he doesn’t fall into the overgrowth and not be able to get up. So, I watch out the window, from my cool kitchen, as he gathers. I’m a good wife like that.
