The garden this morning (V)

"Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green." — Jeremiah 17:7-8

The garden has turned a corner and I can feel it.

The beans are coming in now, not the first hesitant handful but the real ones, the ones that fill the colander and still leave more on the vine. I picked a bowlful yesterday and another this morning and tomorrow there will be more because that is what beans do in July, which is produce beyond what anyone asked of them.

The zucchini is serious. Two of them appeared overnight the way zucchini does, hiding under the broad leaves and then announcing themselves all at once at a size that suggests they have been there for days, plotting. I will take one to Edna this week because that is what you do with zucchini in July. You grow it and then you give it away and then you grow more.

The tomatoes are still green. I have made my peace with it. My mother told me to wait and I am waiting and they will tell me when they are ready.

The blackberries have come in. I picked a pint yesterday evening when the sun was low and they were warm and dark and soft and I ate half of them standing at the fence because that is how you eat blackberries in summer. The other half are in a bowl in the refrigerator and I will have them tomorrow with cream if they last that long.

Lord, the summer is generous.

Ruby keeps a collection of prayers at her kitchen table. You can find them here.