STORMS, HEAT AND REWARDS!

Storms and tornadoes are common here in the midwest. You get used to them. The howling winds, thunder, lightning...furniture moving about the yard. So used to it that your first thought is not to run for cover but rather to run for your camera. The only time I truly sleep is while a summer tempest rages outside my window. Intense heat came early this year. What is common for August crept into June with temperatures of 105 so this storm was a welcome one leaving in its wake cooler air, brilliant colors, dizzying aromas and overnight incredible growth!

Radish, zuchinni, wild flowers and in each corner, heirloom tomatoes.

BEAUREGARD FARM

I paid a visit to my friend Terry at Beauregard Farm today. The name, Beauregard, is in memory of her son Beau who passed away six years ago this July. She is selling her beautiful little farm and moving to Maine so, while she waits for a buyer, she offered some of the herbs and incredible plants she grows so that I could transplant them in my gardens. She told me to come early as she is always up at the "crack of dawn" however she had forgotten that she was having a little party yesterday and so the dawns crack was visible before Terry's was today. I, on the other hand, woke at an uncharacteristic 6:00 giddy with excitement over the treasures I was going to find, waited an hour and called Terry. "Come on over!" I grabbed shovel, spade and boxes and off I went. What a glorious place! Life everywhere including dogs and peacocks, bees and butterflies, toads and worms and OH! the plants. Many I was familiar with and many more I was not. Terry pointed often..."how about some of this?" OK. Sure...why not?

It occurs to me as I watch Terry bend and pull and dig that six years ago she made a choice. She could have buried her pain but instead buried roots and her tribute to her son is breathtaking. After two hours, I drove back home with a pick up truck full of plants. I planted the thyme and tarragon immediately and will wait until dusk to plant the rest (heat indeces over 100 today). As I look at the plants that grow throughout my acre, I remember where I got most of them, who gifted them and for the most part even the days I planted them. Today I brought home a piece of Beauregard and for years to come these plants, these herbs, these glourious colors will remind me of Terry and of course, Beau. Thanks Terry, our loss is Maine's gain!

FATHER'S DAY

My father is 77 years old going on 55. Golfer, cyclist, volunteer, hero. My sister and I began texting each other about what to get dad for father's day. His birthday was in May and we got him a plant for his patio and a Streisand collection. At 77, there isn't much he needs or want. He wants my sister and I to be happy and healthy. He has lost his parents, our mother and both of his sons... my brothers so he knows what really matters and a new shirt or golf club, although nice, don't compare to the time that he is able to spend with us. What to do...what to do. I wonder as I look out of the windows of my sunroom at the wild flowers, the petunias and the fresh herbs that are flourishing after the recent rain and the sudden heat and then I know. Dirt. Dad would like some dirt. My mom and eldest brother were cremated and their ashes placed in niches, my other brother served in Desert Storm and has been buried in a military graveyard. In all cases it is difficult to leave flowers. So I decide. I text my sister "how about a memorial garden for dad, somewhere he can plant flowers, living things, to memorialize mom and the boys". A resounding YES. My husband had made the plots for my flowers and herbs, I asked if he would do the same for my dad and after a long, hot day of working on air conditoners (he is an HVAC tech) he drug out the tiller and the wooden posts and made my dad a garden. We gave dad some gardening tools and gift cards to Menards, walked into the yard and unveiled a crudely painted sign DAD'S DIRT and he was, well, speechless. I cannot begin to tell you how many golf tees, golf balls, golf shirts, records, cd's and books I have purchased for my dad throughout the years...but I can tell you this...nothing...I mean nothing beats a little dirt.

HERB HEAVEN

me and the crew, Murphy and Angus.

I dehydrate tomtoes at the end of every season. Today I made a sun-dried tomato pesto using the tomatoes I dried last season and fresh basil and oregano from my new herb garden. Incredible!! Fresh herbs make such a difference and what a (albeit silly) feeling of accomplishment. I am fairly happy with this batch but I am going to experiment with other ingrediants including the s.d. tomatoes and a variety of chilis. I bake an herb bread that is very dense and rich and have always had to purchase pesto to spread on it but not anymore!!!

My crop is small this year but I was warned that it might be for the first year however a friend owns a seven acre organic farm nearby and has invited me to visit and dig up full size herbs to bring home and transplant into my garden....very exciting!

Now for my son Colin whois serving in the Navy...Ian's graduation!I only have one picture because of the complete and utter chaos that was the "graduation". It was more like a circus...people standing on the folding chairs ath convention center...talking on their phones...screaming at other people in the stands. I was in shock and we left early fearing that if things were so out of hand during the ceremony they were certain to get worse after! I will send more pics after Sunday! Love you like rainbows...miss you like crazy...be safe.

IN FULL SWING!

Got very busy gardening and completely forgot I was blogging but things are in full swing here. I convinced my husband to enlarge the garden by A LOT!!! ( more growing, less mowing). He agreed so we added herb plots and three more vegetable plots.