I have gleaned much pleasure from my garden this year, more than any year yet. I kept it small, just the space in the recycled jacuzzi and one other medium sized round pot. Tomatoes and peppers (with a smidgen of green beans for garden-walk snacking). I say "garden walk," in spite of the fact that my entire garden is the square width of an average-sized jacuzzi hot tub, because I walk around my garden repeatedly, though I am essentially walking in a circle... er... square. It is meditative and the scenery changes depending on my focus and the time of day.
In the morning, the garden is partially shaded and I alternate between the sensations of sun-warmth and shade.
The afternoon is fully lit with bright and burning sunrays. I do not frequently walk this time of day, but I sometimes water the garden when the sun is direct. I feel like the plants are most grateful for a drink when the sun is at his most brutal (although I know the opposite is probably true). And then I'll sit, for a moment, and take in the scent of the newly damp leaves before the heat overtakes me and I return to the house.
In the evening, I can watch the sun set and walk around and around. The garden's one side is the most blessed by the sun and the branches reach out longingly toward the west. This is the best time to walk.
At night, I cannot see the plants but for shadows. I can smell it and hear the wind blow through it, but my eyes look to the sky. On a good night, the stars stretch wide above my garden, granting respite from the hot days before and to come. The cicadas sing and the crickets chirp. This is the time that I use my garden as an altar where I pray. Well, at least until the weather is too cold.
I have had a wonderful garden this year, and it is not finished blessing me yet. The tomatoes are still blossoming, as are the green peppers. I have given away more than I consumed, but that is just how I like it. And next year will be better yet, I will concentrate on quality now that I have quantity figured out, but I still thinking small. I am itching to try berries, though.
These photos I took today, I have not taken many pictures of my garden this year. But these are a few of those. Peaceful blessings. Good night.
eyes look to the sky. On a good night, the stars stretch wide above my garden, granting respite from the hot days before and to come. The cicadas sing and the crickets chirp. This is the time that I use my garden as an altar where I pray.
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