Rain At Last

63°f/17°C, overcast with light showers.

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What a relief. It is so nice to wake up to the patter of raindrops.  We had a good hard rain, short but so appreciated,  yesterday evening, and more is on the way today. At least, so the weatherman says. I sure hope he's right. Just getting the dust settled is a huge help! Our dark gray van has been constantly dirty; no amount of washing can keep it clean since we live on a gravel road.

Yesterday I finally planted the lettuce, carrots, radishes, and onions I have been trying to get in for the past two weeks. Seems like we have been on the run so much that I just couldn't get to it. 

I picked a bouquet while I was out in the gardens. The flowers are still doing okay.

I was very pleased to see that about half of the leeks I planted survived, despite the heat and lack of rain. Poor little things, they were so tiny! I weeded and hoed all the late garden area. The bok choi, a first try for me, is thriving, so if you have any recipes for it please send them along. We have lettuce ready to pick too, as well as kale and turnip greens. The turnips need to be thinned, so that's my next job.

My cup for this month was a gift from my friend Francis (a lady despite the male spelling of her name). I had to promise not to sell it! But why would I, with such lovely graphics? And so delicate.

The rest of the garden has slowed way down but is still producing. We picked a lot of yellow squash, a couple zucchini,  some tomatoes, and enough cucumbers that I will be making some relish today. I use this recipe. The relish is perfect for making chicken or ham salad for sandwiches.

Green Man got a new hairdo yesterday.

So, relish-making, and then preparing grab bags for my booths will be my to-do list for today. And enjoying the clouds and the rain. 

A single deep rose zinnia, for my tea tray.

But mostly, my mind will be on my late son Jon. Today was his birthday, so he would have been 55 today. I well remember when he was born. Only 4 hours of labor, and he came out yelling, no need for the usual swat on the behind to open those lungs! Jon was always like that, rushing through life like he knew he didnt have much time. His years were short,  but he certainly made them count, and left this world with 5 beautiful daughters,  so in that way he still lives on. How blessed we were to have him, if only for 39 years.

Linking to Michelle's Thankful Thursday today.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.