August

This morning I went out to the garden first thing to see what damage the storm that took us from July (hot summer) to August (beginning of autumn) had wrought.

Even last night at dinner it was hard to believe today wouldn’t be another hot summer day. The forecast was for storms followed by a day with temps in the 70s, but it will still nearly 90 degrees and clear. We even had a fan on in the porch to make dining comfortable. All I could think of for today was a swim.

The storm did come about 10:30 p.m. with wind that seemed to come from multiple directions and rain battering every window. I was thankful there wasn’t hail, as that is the worst that can happen to a garden brimming with undeveloped winter squash.

This morning the tomato plants were down. Still, it always surprises me how well they come through a storm. The stalk is strong and you just set them back up and drive in the supporting stake again.  I had never seen the metal cages get such a workout, however, with two cages seriously twisted and misshapen.

Then there were the ones I’d woven between stakes with twine. They’ve been quite restrained, looking like someone doing triangle in yoga, that classic direction “pressed between two panes of glass.” Well, they were unfurled– still standing upright, but many vines splayed and showing their young tomatoes. It’s kind of nice, really– will make for easier harvesting and encourage ripening.

The prairie, that yesterday was looking hot, parched and droopy, has now moved solidly into fall. The storm stripped petals from the coneflowers, leaving their bare brown heads still bobbing. Soon we will get the final big bloom of asters and goldenrod as it produces one last wave of beauty.

Today I might make that huckleberry jam (though I’m still not completely convinced the berries are ripe) or salsa with all those newly exposed tomatoes in my fresh, cool kitchen.

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