Happy Friday Everyone! It’s been a full month of this and that, good, bad, and ugly. Isn’t that the way of things generally. I’ve had a lack of motivation in getting pics off of my phone and into the computer in order to share them this month. Thursday (last) night I kind of got caught up in uploading them, browsed through to find good ones, then shrank them down.

There have been dozens of blossoms on the birdhouse gourd vines but as of today there are 7 maturing gourds. Blossoms keep coming but probably a little late to grow much if fruit develops. That’s fine, 7 are enough.

The tomatoes have really taken off in quantity but have a strange way of ripening this year. I’ve gotten two mega-big tomatoes off of the plants, one from a mortgage lifter plant and one from a much smaller moneymaker plant; but the rest have gotten no bigger than twice the size of a cherry tomato. I will keep seeds from the big tomatoes and see if they ripen true to their parents next year. Strike that, I already used the moneymaker biggie from the first batch picked but will def save ML’s seeds. I’ve had two decent batches so far and so many are still on the plants.

I saw something was gnawing at moneymaker plants, which are a good 6 ft away from MLs. Walking out at dusk to put something in the garage earlier this week, I saw a giant hornworm out, munching away. I grabbed the shears, cut the branch it was on, threw it down, and quickly ended its life. The next morning tiny ants were swarming around it, carrying bits away.

With the first batch, I made delicious chili using chik’n (plant-based chicken cubes,) great northern beans, a half of a small can of chipotle peppers with sauce, and some other ingredients. The first day I ate it with saltines. The second day I made chili dogs with Field Roast brand plant-based hot dogs. Yum yum yum.

I tried a new recipe with the 2nd batch: Tomato Pie. It had a few interesting ingredients in it and it probably would have been better if I had put thicker slices of tomato in it.

Growing your own food and eating it, knowing it has been grown from heirloom seed, has no pesticides on it, and was picked at the peak of ripeness is a feeling like no other. I encourage every single person reading this to give it a try. Lots of plants can be grown in containers and don’t take up much space.

The next pic is of one of my incense burning trays. It has several rocks found along the way and several little ceramic squares that come with the incense I buy. I have an identical tray in my room that has other special items on it. I sorta washed the tray and rinsed off the stones. There is also a bundle of sage that lies on this one but I forgot it for the pic.

The pretty yellow flowers are some of the wetland package of plants I won a few years back. I never did put any of the plants in the ground but these are thriving. There is spiderwort in the barrel also but it already bloomed and died out early because of the heat, I think.

We finally got out to Lake MI beach this past Sunday. It was gorgeous there, not hot, the water in the channel between two lakes was tepid and good; Lake MI water was quite cold.

The last pic was taken today (Thursday) at the local farmers’ place where I buy this and that. I bought sourdough bread, home-made orange marmalade, sharp cheddar cheese, 2 green peppers, and a dozen eggs. Outside their market building was this row of lavender. So gorgeous! There was also a beautiful white duck on the fence by my car that was free from any enclosure. I should have taken a pic but I was too wrapped up in the moment. The duck was not afraid and made a few sounds (not quack.) The duck’s presence was a nice touch. Thanks God.

I also took a short video of it because there were (good) swarms of pollinators on it. I should ask one of the farmers that work so hard to bring food to tables if they keep beehives. I didn’t see any honey for sale, so maybe not.

Speaking of pollinators, I saw a movie a week or so ago that involves bees, honey, and a whole lot more. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. I don’t buy movies much these days but I will be buying this one and the soundtrack as well.