(no subject)

Yesterday's oppressive heat broke late in the day with a spectacular thunderstorm. My first thought was relief that I wouldn't have to worry about watering the garden, but this morning I found the summer squash leaning in the opposite direction from where they'd been the day before, their already cracked stems looking even more fragile. The leaves and flowers still look healthy, and there are even a few fruits developing, but I don't know how these plants are surviving.

The zucchini plants looked a lot more stable, and the tomatoes were still securely tied to the fence and look none the worse for wear.

I shouldn't complain. It's pretty amazing that I have living plants at all, never mind plants that are actually looking healthy and bearing edible fruit. This summer was my first real attempt at a garden, and before this I had trouble keeping even houseplants alive. Still, I hedged my bets planting two each of summer squash and zucchini and both summer squash are now literally clinging by a thread.

At least we can still have lots of zucchini. And tomatoes. I hope the kids learn to like tomatoes because DANG.

Wow...

I just harvested the first zucchini, washed its prickly skin smooth, and sliced it into little chunks to cook up for supper.

It's silly how weird this feels, taking a vegetable from a plant in the yard and actually eating it. It never occurs to me to wonder if the veggies I buy at the supermarket are okay to eat.

I planted a seed. I tended a plant. I know where this thing has been every moment of its existence.

I can't wait for dinner.