The Third Act

the generosity of figs

I continue to harvest figs...mostly from three trees (there's a fourth, but it doesn't really produce).  There are lots of green figs still on the branches, albeit very high up.  No matter how severely I think I've pruned in winter, the trees still shoot up about double from where they start in the spring.  The fruit seems to be getting better as the days go by.  Maybe I'm just more patient in picking.  Not to be greedy, but I look forward to the day, when and if, the rest of my little orchard starts produce...apricot, persimmon and plum (oh and the paw paw).  If you have room (and if you like them of course) I highly recommend planting a fig tree or two.  They're incredibly resilient, robust and generous trees.

 

 

 

 

just a quiet Saturday evening

Not much to tell, aside from it being a lovely day.  

Milk weed pods and pumpkins.

 

 

Friday

Just some lovely morning light and a bowl of figs.

 

 

 

surprise!

About a year and a half ago I inserted shiitake spore plugs into several logs. Time went by and nothing happened. I decided to use some of the (infertile?) logs as borders around plantings in my little woods. A couple of the logs remained where they had been for 18 months as well. Obviously I’d given up on any fruiting. Then lo and behold, a couple days ago I saw shiitakes emerging from a few of the logs. Surprise surprise! 

Unfortunately different garden critters (bugs I think) got into the growing mushrooms before I even noticed them. I did manage to harvest one pretty good specimen. Now I want to try this again!

 

 

it's a little wild out there

This morning dawned in the 50s and it's been glorious. I did my daily perambulation around the yards.  It struck me how everything felt so vital and a bit wild.  Despite the waning of many plants, others are really getting their groove on. It's an interesting time of year and there's a kind of abandon or last great push before the slumber of winter ahead.  I feel that in myself too...the rising up of autumn energy, that time to get things done before hunkering down.

I just used my iPhone this morning for these images...sometimes photos need to be taken in the flow, without interruption.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

random things...a short list (in absolutely no order)

It feels (more) like fall this morning...I'm here for that

The figs are coming on fast now...I'm here for that too

The mosquitoes seem bigger and more voracious than earlier in the season...that I'm not here for

The fungi in the garden delight and amuse me

I still miss living with family

I still miss having a partner

There are things I've grown to appreciate about living alone

These years of solitude have been a gift, even if I haven't always been able to see it that way

It's hard to figure out what my life is about now...my purpose

I appreciate the journey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in the kitchen

It still doesn't feel like autumn outside...but it's coming.  I anxiously await lower temperatures and humidity.  And in the vein, I guess I spent a lot of time cooking today, trying to conjure fall with food.

There's lentil and buckwheat roast (it actually looks like meatloaf if you unfocus your eyes), shiitake gravy, roasted sweet potatoes, corn and brussel sprout veg, and an arugula and pear salad.   

I like working in the kitchen.  It's not always easy to get myself to do creative meals because it's just me.  Also...I feel like I'm always tired, which kinda sucks.  But I enjoyed what I did today.

 

 

 

the figs keep coming

It seems like, compared to other folks' fig trees in the area, mine are on the late side with ripening.  But that's okay.  I'm getting enough every day to enjoy.  Today offered a nice little harvest.  I do eat them quickly, but really, a dozen figs at one time would be a bit much!  Now I'm thinking about figs on pizza....hmmmm.  

I love these trees and the fact that they're so generous.

 

 

 

 

full moon dreams?

Last night I dreamt I was going through my closet, getting rid of almost everything in it.  Of two closets, one I'd emptied entirely.  Among the things I was discarding were not one, not two...but three wedding dresses!  Now, the one wedding dress I did have in waking life, I got rid of at the time of my divorce (it was simple and inexpensive and I was just hanging on to it for sentimental value).  In the dream I was thinking of my three (?) weddings and the relationships and despite my conflicting emotions it felt good to let go.  

There were lots of other dresses (an item of clothing of which I have just a few) I pulled out, noticing how much my taste had changed over the years.  Some were a definite discard, but others I thought I could try on to see if they still fit, because they were actually rather cool and timeless.  In all of this, my father (of all people) was helping me in this task.  Very, very odd.  My mom was there too, but just in the background.  I'll note that my father passed away in 2008 and my mom in 2018.  Of course, I realize that in the dream state my parents are not my parents but parts of me (which I guess even in real life is kind of true too!).

All this comes on the heels of waking life goals...that is, I really, really need to clean out my closet and have been thinking about it for weeks.  I'm also starting to actually spend some intentioned funds on new clothes.  Usually I pick up stuff at Target or Costco and hope it fits.  Most of the time it's fine because I dress for mess (in the garden or in the studio or in the kitchen).  I figured it was time to look for attire that I truly liked and felt good in. 

When getting ready for the family wedding I attended a couple weeks ago, my friend/neighbor/fellow artist offered her closet to me.  It was interesting to see someone who is intentioned about her clothing, backed with style and self esteem.  It was inspiring.

While I'll always be on the low end (or maybe just odd end) of style, I'm coming to realize (and I'm sure there are times in my life when this realization has come up before) that to dress in a way that makes me feel good, both comfort wise and emotion wise, is good.  It's a way for me to say to myself, "you count...you are worthy."  That's not to say I spend oodles of cash because, for one, I don't have oodles and, for two, I was raised by very frugal parents.  My daily uniform for work will remain jeans and t-shirts and sweatshirts (at least in the cooler months)...but it's nice to have something more aesthetically pleasing for when I have the desire.

 

 

 

autumn-ish

It's feeling more like autumn.  While it's still warm (but not outside of normal) the humidity is low.  And the light...isn't that always a giveaway?  The house is staying open-ish, with the A/C off...it's quite pleasant.  Avery and I had a long river walk today...which we haven't done in quite some time.  No complaints on a day like this.