Under the Solano Sun

Here's a riddle; How do you grow a four-foot plant in an eighteen inch spot? Give up? Grow vertically! This heirloom lemon cucumber', (Cucumis sativus 'Lemon'), needs plenty of room; at least 4 feet with its vines of up to eight feet long! Trained on this trellis, its footprint is only 1212 inches.

As I busily go about on my daily round of errands during these late summer daysthe heat radiating with every step-- I become ever more grateful for the life-affirming trees among us and all that they provide.

Greetings! It has been a long time since I have written to you all, and I am more than a little rusty! Today's big news is that my new gladiolus bulbs have arrived from the Old Bulbs Gazette and have been planted more or less.

Sometimes I feel the need to be more organized and sometimes it is PAPER can only resolve the need. There are times and things where a computer, laptop, or cell phone will not do. Yes, I must admit that writing on lined paper with either a pen or pencil feels more creative and more fulfilling.

The summer fruit harvesting continues. We've had some hot days. I'm still waiting for the passion fruit to ripen. The grapes in the side yard are starting to ripen. But not quite as sweet as they could be. I know, because I've been eating them off the vine. The blackberries are ripening also.