Happy Garden!

  While it probably means diddlysquat to most folks, the fact that the garden is doing well, is important to me.  I have this penchant for eating fresh food.  I understand visiting the grocer when necessary but to be able to step out the backdoor and find food for the taking, pleases me.  I am guaranteed that the stuff is fresh  and has not been in cold storage for some months. Plus, and probably more importantly, it is not laden with insecticides, chemical fertilizers and weedkillers.  It just makes sense that is is healthier.

  Early this morning, the hike from the compost pile took a mite longer than it should have.  Along the way, a visit to the garden patches led to a happy surprise.  The broccoli was heading nicely and would soon be large enough to be harvested.  The fresh-picked stuff is far tastier than any that can be had from a store.  That stuff almost has a rancid smell to it.  Fresh broccoli is delightfully tender and sweet.  Contrary to most folks thought, broccoli is not a one-time veggie.  It is one of those plants that just keeps giving.  Harvest the first head and more will sprout from the stem (albeit a bit smaller versions).  Plus, at any given time, you can pluck the large, tender leaves from the stalk without harming the chances of the broccoli florets forming.  In fact, this enhances the growth of the top.

  Today's meal was fish from the Bay and a pot of collard greens from the garden.  Tomorrow will most likely see a head of broccoli make its way to the supper table and will probably never make it to the cook pot. There is no reason to disguise fresh veggies under a ton of cheese or butter!  They can stand on their own and be downright tasty to boot!