Friday, July 28, 2017

NOT A GARDEN


We'd invited some friends over for pizza and Steven had made some appetizers. As he put the plate of tomato, mozzarella and basil drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil on the table he proudly announced. “This came out of Kathy's garden!”
“Oh, the tomatoes!” Nicole asked as she scooped one off the plate.
“No, the basil.” Steven said and smiled at me.
“The tomatoes came from the grocery store.” I admitted.
“But she's growing some great looking cherry tomatoes!” Steven said. He looked over at Nancy. “Would you like to see her garden?”
“Um...Steven there's not really much to see.” I said passing the plate of olives to Nancy's husband Frank.
“Oh, come on...you're not giving yourself enough credit.” Steven got up and tapped Nancy on the arm. “Do you want to see?”
“Sure.” Nancy got up and followed Steven out the back door to our deck where five pots of cherry tomatoes were tied along the deck posts.
I handed the plate of cheese and crackers to Nicole's husband Jake before following them out to the deck.
I opened the back door and could see Nancy patiently standing next to Steven as he proudly pointed to the dozen or so cherry tomatoes ripening on the vines. “It's a pretty nice crop she's got coming in!” he said.
Nancy nodded and tried to look impressed.
“And her basil's right over there!” Steven pointed to the pot of basil next to the rocking chair. “Oh that's nice.” Nancy agreed.
“Hey, Nancy! Can I get you a glass of wine?” I asked as I stood in the open doorway.
“Oh, that would be great!” She came back into the house with Steven following her. I let Nancy in and stopped Steven at the door closing it quietly so the two of us were alone on the deck.
“Didn't Frank and Nancy have a huge garden when they lived in Connecticut?” I whispered to him.
“Sure they did.” Steven looked over his shoulder. “It was probably the size of our whole deck. They grew everything! Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers!” He shook his head trying to remember. “I think he even tried pumpkins or watermelons at one time.”
I groaned as I smacked my hand to my forehead. “So do you really think Nancy wanted to see my five tomatoes plants and a container of basil?” I groaned even louder. “I can't believe you even called it a garden?”
Steven patted me on the shoulder and reached for the doorknob. “Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. Last year you only had two tomato plants and this year you have five. I'm proud of you!”
I laughed. “Thanks.”
“Hey, just think maybe next year your garden will be in the yard and not on the deck.” Steven gave a hopeful smile.
I just shook my head. “Let's not go crazy. I can barely remember to water the five plants I have.”

As he opened the door we heard the knock at the front door. “Pizza's here!” we called in unison.

32 comments:

  1. I love this. Progress is progress :)

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  2. I have really enjoyed reading it. Great job. :)

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  3. nice , short and simple article. I always love short stories of this form

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  4. Aww that's sweet! And you can do a lot with those tomatoes and basil--you'll have a tasty winter for sure!

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    1. Fingers crossed Daneen! Now I just have to keep the groundhog away!

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  5. Hey, every little bit counts! Cute story.

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    1. That's how I feel! Thanks so much for reading!

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  6. Pizza's here? So it was a dream, right? Ha JK. I am also gardening and I think of it as more of an experiment. I love to make salsa and I would hardly ever have any salsa if I waited for what was in my garden. But it's something we just can't give up on, right? Growing our own food? Something very important there I do think.

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    1. Exactly Marshall! I don't have enough for salsa either, but maybe someday! Thanks for reading!

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  7. I love this!It may not seem like much, but I think that's great that you have a small garden and your husband seems to be so proud of you!

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    1. Thanks Kristy! He does love to have vine ripened tomatoes, I think he keeps hoping I'll make the 'garden' bigger next year!

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  8. Tomatoes?! Crazy about them and easy to integrate into lots of dishes.
    Cute story.

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    1. Me too! So much better than the hot house ones you get in the winter! Thanks so much for reading!

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  9. I would love to have a garden someday! You're blessed you have 5 plants. I got none :) He is just being supportive <3

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    1. I hope you get one soon Karla! Thanks for reading!

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  10. How cute and sweet. We have a small container garden also and I am lucky to remember to water those as well. It is great to be able to pick a fresh veggie or two though!

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    1. I love grabbing a few tomatoes for our salad! I have trouble remembering to water too, especially during a heat wave!

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  11. We are kindred spirits. I also have a small planter "garden" that I struggle to remember to water. It is fun to be able to pick fresh veggies right from the porch, though!

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  12. Your husband sounds awesome. I loved this.

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  13. I don't have much space and have a tiny container garden on my back deck. Yes I call it a garden, and I'm unashamed.

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    1. I beginning to get comfortable calling mine a garden now too, Jeff!

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  14. Your husband sounds fab haha, I've grown really fond of your posts I enjoy reading them so much 💖

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    1. Thanks for reading Kim! I really appreciate it!

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  15. I think it's sweet your hubby was proud of you and wanted to show off what you had done ... shell

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    1. He is a sweetie! I'm a lucky girl! Thanks so much for reading!

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  16. Sounds like you have a wonderful husband too Terra!

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  17. Very interesting blog! Loved the write up. I will be following more of your stories.

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