Heat and Fireworks

"Every day is a miracle!"  I heard a woman on the street call this to her son as he stood on his porch waving goodbye the other day.  "Each and every minute!"
"Thank you," I thought.  "That is a truth that is so easy to forget."  Grumpy about the heat, the dogs reaction to the construction workers, the rising cost of electricity and a thousand other minor annoyances, I did appreciate that dose of reality right then. 

I thought about that message again this morning.  There is nothing quite so wonderful as two slices of soft whole grain bread, stuffed fat with a tomato still warm from the vine, fresh, sweet basil leaves, and thin slices of cheddar horseradish cheese.  As I settled into the lounger on the front porch with this prize and a tall glass of mint tea, I reminded myself that these tiny pleasures are the greatest blessing.  There is a  platter of miracles presented to us each day.  The challenge is to recognize and savor them.

The heat has returned with a vengeance, but two days of downpour have made everything a lot more resistant now.  I believe the final tally was 5.2 inches of rain over two days.  There was some flooding, especially roads in low lying areas, but you didn't hear much complaining.  We desperately needed the water.  The forecast is for 90+ degree days for at least the next week, but the hot afternoons are supposed to spawn thunderstorms.  Let's hope.

The tomatoes have started coming in quickly now.  I've been so eager that I am guilty of picking before they are completely ripe.  That hasn't stopped me from enjoying them.  Some days I have them at all three meals.

The tomato above is a mystery tomato.  We ordered several varieties of seeds from a organic heritage tomato grower last year.  The seeds in the package labeled "Cherokee Purple," did not grow Cherokee Purple tomatoes, but this variety.  These are exceptional -  sweet, but with a savory complex flavor that is just delicious.  They are very prolific.  We saved a few seeds from the original package and planted them again this year.  This season, the tomatoes are huge, but taste every bit as good as before, if not better.   I wish I knew what we had.  I would happily order them again.

The Golden Rod has just exploded this week.  I think this may be my favorite summer flower.  There is a good reason this variety is called "Fireworks."  Even with the heat accelerating the life cycle, we should have these for several more weeks.  .  If the weather cools off, they will be with us well into August.

Those of us with gardens should not even need to be reminded about every day miracles.