Hello Summer
of hammocks and tomato leaves.
I just got back from my first camping trip of the year. It went remarkably well considering that one of my camping companions was a three year old.
We sat by the fire, and he fell asleep on me. We drank our coffee watching the creek. We went for a hike. We swayed gently in a hammock.I’m kidding about that last one of course. He is three. He was so wild and crazy that the hammock ripped and dumped us on the ground, but that’s okay. I had a spare. It got down to the low 30s at night, but for me summer begins with the first camping trip.
And so I am delighted to report that my summer has officially begun.
I’ll probably say more soon, but it is looking increasingly likely that starting this fall I may be doing something that looks a lot more like what the world considers work. That probability is making this summer feel even sweeter.
There will be fountains and splash pads. There will be a trip to New York, the toddler’s first, to visit his big sister. There will be more camping and more hammocks. There will be alleyways full of raspberries. There will be long sunny evenings. There will be cookouts and summer reading. On my walk this afternoon, I found a free tiny tomato plant and so also starting now, I will smell the tomato leaves every day. It is my favorite smell in the world.
And so, my loves and dear ones
whether your summer has already begun,
or whether you are still waiting for the thing
that marks its arrival for you may it be wonderful.
May your days be long and slow.
May you go camping if that’s fun for you.
May you get terrible ice cream from the ice cream truck.
If you travel, travel safely, but get a new tattoo.
If you stay close to home, may you find a new facet of yourself
May you stay up late
reading all the books you can.
And if you want, you should definitly get a prize.
And if at all possible,
I suggest stopping to smell some tomato leaves.
The best tomato plant is the surprise volunteer.. We have 3 this year and 2 volunteer potato plants... Did you know dogs love tomatoes?? Our neighbor's dog often comes over for a nibble... excited to hear what the upcoming "work" will be for you!!
Tomatoes smell like the loss of hope to me. No matter what I have tried, I can't grow them where I live now (the coast) but when I lived east....I was able to do nothing and had tomato plants that were 5 feet x 5 feet tall and have more tomatoes than I could ever eat or give away and plenty of green ones left by frost. But I did have some baby jays hatch in my backyard last month and fledge in the yard for a few days before they were able to fly off....and that was magical. They were like blank faced babies learning to fly and walk and how to keep safe, and the parents were so attentive and protective and stressed because 4 babies going in different directions and they could only squawk at them. Reminded me of human parents, the stress of childhood and trying to keep progeny alive. But I love the anticipation of my flowers and blueberries growing.....it is a special time of year.