Second summer

End of July. I feel like July was a difficult month. I’m not sure what to say about that, except that I’m looking forward to August. My sister introduced me to the term “second summer.” I don’t know how she determines when it starts, but the first of August seems a good choice. Time to put the difficulties of July behind me and maybe RELAX a little.

I’m all over the place so let’s just make some notes about where things are at.

Bouts of anaplasmosis (tick disease – Sam) and high blood pressure (me) seem to be resolved. My doctor tried a blood pressure medication that made my ankles swell and gave me a bad heat rash on my legs after I walked miles in the heat in New York City with my friend. It wasn’t really helping my blood pressure that much either. The doctor stopped that medication and put me on something else which has no noxious side effects and seems to be successfully lowering my blood pressure.

We’re closing in on our goal harvest of frozen blueberries for the year. A lot of picking in a few short weeks, while the blueberries in a nearby field are ripe. The field was once in commercial production, but seems to have been abandoned. It’s a shame so many berries go to waste. We do what we can.

I’m almost finished harvesting and freezing the peas and the fava beans. It has seemed a huge effort, especially the peas. I guess it’s easy to plant too many peas at the beginning of the season and then having to deal with the harvest months later – whoa. I tried to work on my attitude, like Loads of Peas is a beautiful, positive happening that speaks of abundance. And we are so lucky to be able to grow such lush peas when some gardeners around us struggle to grow them. (I gave peas to some of them.)

A porcupine has gotten into the garden and eaten the broccoli, grreens, Brussels sprouts, and cilantro. It has specific tastes. I felt terrible about this until I realized the same thing was happening at the community garden. They don’t know how to deal with the porcupines either. It helps to have someone in the same boat. Summer squash is starting and winter squash mostly looks good. The onions are starting to bulb up and some are falling over. The tomatoes are still green.

We went to an art exhibit of work by a local couple. She’s a fiber artist. I’m looking forward to getting together with her at her house, and then at my house. We’ll share. That will happen after August 1st when the exhibit ends.

My son is moving back to Connecticut from Denver. He’s moving in with his dad. Temporarily, I hope. A new beginning for him.

Sam’s kids and their families were up at camp in July. No visitors planned in August, so we can stay there whenever we want to..

I’m cleaning my art room. It’s getting worse before it gets better.

I bought a pattern and some cloth to make a top. I haven’t sewed any clothing in many years. I’m feeling enthusiastic about it.

The sunflowers are getting ready to bloom. I’m really looking forward to that. Maybe that defines the start of second summer.