Warmer days draw us out to linger and savor our summer memories, but it is now time for the back-to-school days and dammit where was our summer heat this year?
Our little green nubbins that we thought would be plump and succulent juice-running-down-the-arms tomatoes have a blush of red or orange or yellow on their skins, but regrettably that blush matches the early autumn tints on our deciduous trees.
The cool nights and the just barely getting past 70 degree days speak of a late September/early October harvest season rather than a late summer 80- or 90-degree harvest day. I miss the full hot dusty smells of late summer.
There certainly was a lot of heat generated at the two conventions, but I detect an ennui that is seriously building into an asleep-at-the-wheel approach to the voting on Nov. 4. This is such a disservice to our democracy.
While the incessant Entertainment Tonight approach by the media wears one down, the issues facing us are deeply serious for our future well-being. For me there are distinct differences as to how to go forward and correct the most egregiously poor policies from these last disastrous eight years, and it will be a tough slog to truly bind the country together again. Mahalia Jackson's beautiful rendition of the gospel song "If we never needed the Lord before, we sure do need him now" by Thomas A. Dorsey could become our anthem for the next 55 days.
In this presidential election every vote will count, including yours.
Meanwhile, when I am not gnashing my teeth and throwing salad bowls at the TV talking heads, I am sorting through the early plant catalogues. Yes, I will over order bulbs and wonder in January if it is too late to plant them. Most catalogs arrive in the dark light of January and always make for good reading and list making and New Year dreams of perfect garden making, but I like these early catalogs because I am still intimately engaged with my garden. Do I want that screeching red whatever in my garden? Well right now I think it would add a great dynamism to a certain shadowy corner. However, in January, with all the garden colors so muted, the screech of the red would probably feel too overwhelming. What will be the right answer?
If you have been actively involved in garden making for more than a few years you can now fully grasp the fact that there are no right answers. Once embarked down the garden path there is no turning back. Insight and wisdom come in fits and starts. Surprising exhilaration occurs, usually as a quirky and unexpected and thoroughly joyous surprise. But as for any sure answers to appear, I would kindly suggest that you just stop hoping and start looking for them.[[In-content Ad]]
