Before they bloomed I longed for them:
After they bloomed, I mourned that they must fade:
The mountain cherry-flowers
Sorrow alone for my poor heart have made. - Nakatsukasa
This week's delivery items for all sizes
Dear Friends,
Now that I'm an 'older' person, I too have stores of 'used to be' stories. It used to be that weather or time of year was basically inconsequential. It was more what suit and shoes will I wear for my power look? Going to the dry cleaners, shopping for new clothes, the manicurist, the health spa, the hair dresser..gads, how far away is that life now? None of that is important anymore..sturdy warm shoes, a tie up thing for my hair, blue jeans, oversize shirt, a vest if its chilly, sunscreen, a hat, now needed reading glasses..and I'm ready for what the day brings. Now that it's a little chillier in the morning, a hot cup of coffee and a warmth from the fireplace is all I need to embrace the day.
So now, it's all about the weather. Are we going to have a Santa Ana with drying winds and danger of fires? Did it rain or drizzle last night? Will it be cloudy and chilly or windy or hot? All these factors influence the farm. But there's something about autumn when days are still sunny and warm, fooling me into thinking the plants are still growing like summer. That there's enough daylight left for the flowers to bloom. But sheer unadulterated honesty is in every falling leaf. The days are shorter, the crops aren't growing as fast, darkness catches me unawares in the middle of a project. Then, before I know it, it's 'winter' again. There are no more leaves to fall. The annuals and perennials are gone. The structure of trees and bushes and fences and buildings that need repairs are all exposed. But then the mail comes. And in it are starting to come the seed catalogs and visions of new vegetable and flower varieties that fill the imagination and am glad to see the tried and true heirlooms commanding more advertising space. It's going to be a great spring!
I love the ingredients for the week. Valencia oranges are still juicy and sweet. Navels will be coming in soon. Avocados are big with perfect oil content. Pomegranates and cranberries are crammed with the antitoxicants we need to fight off colds and flus. Cabbage for stir-frying, cauliflower for baking, radishes for crispness, onions and potatoes and carrots and leeks call for a warming soup and tat-soi for a wonderful salad with a hot dressing.
Who could ask for more?
Week of Thanksgiving deliveries -
Wednesday deliveries will remain the same and Thursday deliveries will arrive on Tuesday the 26th
All of your Green Store orders are much appreciated and if there are items you'd like us to carry, please drop me a note.
Feel free to contact me if you need help or suggestions--and that includes your likes and dislikes..
I read all the emails.
