On the bright side

by June

At the farmers' market this weekend, we were gabbing about the only topic worth gabbing about, which I will not mention by name as I do not want to dignify the situation with any more public hand-wringing (and because I do understand that other parts of the globe are suffering in other ways, dire ways). But one of the hardier farmers remarked with a wry grin, "Great year to be a gardener, huh?"

No, it's not a great year. But then again, yes, it is. The sun played peekaboo that day, and as I walked around the garden, the thrill was there. If we can't have abundant sunshine, at least we can have sundrops...

and lady's-mantle bejeweled with rain...

and roses too...

and peas coming on strong...

and the first little green tomatoes, pretty as pearls and much more dear.

There's nourishment in gardening that sustains us long before the harvest.