Grace in the 'Hood–Life on an Urban Homestead

Thankful for Bounties and Glorious Days

When I started this blog, I intended for it to be something I would do daily–or at least more regularly than I have. I now realize that it is during the summer when I am actually most busy–weeding, tending vegetables and fruit, harvesting, tending bees and harvesting honey, canning, freezing…

This summer has also been busier than usual with my professional work. I was elated that over 600 people turned out for the Building One Pennsylvania Summit that I worked so hard on, but I do have concerns about keeping the momentum going. Some days I despair about the state of our political environment, and I know that keeping a positive movement going is imperative.

I don’t pretend to understand why there is so much hate, so much animosity, so much desire to create conditions that would cause failure for a president clearly elected by a wider margin than any in recent memory. I am pained by the extent to which those who carry such hatred would go to prevent any change, any movement. I am frustrated and angry by the fact that a few folks with a great deal of money and power are able to control a political agenda and prevent anything but their own agenda to move forward–or stymie any movement at all.

Then…there are days like today. August 28, 2010–a glorious day! The sun is shining as brightly as it has in some time, the sky is cloudless, the temperature is lovely–warm in the sun, but comfortable, with just a little breeze and little humidity. I am proctoring Presbyterian ordination exams at Lancaster Seminary, and have nothing else that I must be doing this morning while four folks toil away on their polity exam. What a treat! I brought reading and knitting, and as soon as I get done with this post, I will turn to the knitting, I think.

Something else to be grateful for–a new grandson, Liam, born to Maggie, my step-daughter, and her husband Garrett. Liam is adorable, and strong! He is a good size baby, born on July 31, so just approaching a month. I saw him the day he was born, and then again last weekend. I hope to finish the blanket I’m working on so that I can give it to Maggie soon. I rejoice that I have even this little experience of being a grandmother, since I have no children of my own. I hope to get to play even a small part in his life.

I give thanks for my friends–especially my women friends! I am eagerly looking forward to going with friends to see “Eat, Pray, Love” tomorrow. I am thankful that my friend Carol–who will be part of that group–emerged through cancer surgery relatively unscathed, but continue to pray that she will do well as she moves forward into treatment to try to ensure that the cancer never returns. I also look forward to seeing Chad and Michelle later in the day, and sharing some of the bounty from our garden in a salad. Barb is coming next weekend, and we will spend Saturday playing, and I am grateful for her coming.

I look forward to cooler days in the garden. This has been a mixed year for the garden–the tomatoes have not done as well. I think next year I will, for the first time, start my own from seed. The green beans, which have always done well for me, did not do so well this year. We’ve had enough to eat regularly, but not to freeze. I may buy some tomatoes and beans at the farmer’s market for canning and freezing. We tried to save two of the peach trees, but they have been as disappointing as before, so we plan to take them down and plant something else–maybe more dwarf plum, crepe myrtle, butterfly bush, lilac–who knows?

On the other hand, we’ve had a bumper crop of yellow squash, and we’ve been eating and freezing them, as well as making relish and pickles. We’ve had a steady supply of cucumbers–not really enough to make pickles, but we still have pickles from a couple of years ago, and have found that the squash actually work quite well! We’ve had LOTS of peppers as well, so I made a big batch of stuffed peppers and have some frozen ones, and I’ve been freezing strips of both hot and sweet peppers. We had lots of strawberries early on, then a lull, and now a fairly steady stream for breakfast.

I saved the best for last–raspberries!!! We had an overwhelming crop starting in June, and froze many, made lots of sorbet, and lots of jam. They slowed for a while, and now they are coming even faster than before! We are freezing lots, and eating lots. I plan to make more jam, and may, for the first time, try my hand at a pie. In my mind, there is nothing better than raspberries right out of our garden.

I’ll probably spend the afternoon in the garden. Yes, it’s work, but it’s the best work in the world. I thank God for creating a world where we all have an opportunity to be partners in that creation, preserving, protecting–and perhaps, adding a few embellishments, thanks to the many gifts we’ve been given that permit us to do that!

Now…back to the knitting and celebrating this beautiful day!

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