With the lack of rain we’ve had recently, the weeds haven’t yet had a chance to overtake the whole thing.

My community garden plot is currently doing…OK. I am growing tomatoes, onions, kale, peppers, some lettuce (I already harvested some), cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumbers, corn, basil, and zinnias around almost 3 sides of the borders.

I’ve kept everything pretty wide open this year. Some of my tomatoes are not disease-resistant, and I am noticing sign of fusillarium wilt. This is a soil-borne disease, and I really can’t do much about it except to plant resistant tomatoes.

I made a quick run to the local privately owned nursery to see what’s left, and lucky me, they had some disease resistant tomatoes. I purchased a 4-pack for $1. Seriously. $1. And I got them in the ground as quickly as possible. The new tomatoes will likely start to produce sometime in September, but who cares? That still works.

I have already harvested some cherry tomatoes. I’m waiting for the others to ripen. For some reason, the cucumber plant produced one early cucumber and now I’m wondering if it will continue to produce. There seems to be some other starts on it, but they are tiny. Usually cucumbers all come in at the same time. I am having some pollinator anxiety because I simply have not seen a lot of them yet. And I have a neighbor across the way who uses every possible chemical on his area. His veggies are not troubled by any insects. But we are supposed to be organic. Who’s gonna tell this old gentleman that he can’t use Sevin whenever he wants?

The zinnias are taking a little time to begin blooming regularly, but most of them were from seed so I can be patient. I am hoping that by the end of July I’ll have blooms all the time.

I hope you are having a relaxing summer. I’m not sure that I am, to be honest. I’m just trying to get from one day to the next, just like everyone else. I focus on what’s in front of me, and I’m not sure I can do anything else.

As for sewing? I haven’t really touched a thing. But I did set aside an old sheet that I think would make a nice late-summer skirt or a top.

May we all find strength and peace in the season. Right now, around Fourth of July, I tend to begin focusing on Fall projects. I’m sure the sewing inspiration will return. Until then, eat healthy things, take care of yourself and love the Earth.